Comment by DJ Kelly on February 21, 2014 at 5:51am

The possibility of linking one's DNA to a geographical region and to other individuals is exciting. However, I think it is crucial to place as accurate an interpretation as possible on the results.  For example, the linking of your cousin Danny Martin's DNA to the west of Scotland does not rule out his being Irish but in fact confirms it. The original 'Scots' were Irish who migrated to the west of Scotland. When the Romans named 'The Scots' they were referring to the Irish. Galloway is only a few miles inland from the Mull of Kintyre - a popular landing place for Irish migrants. My own 'Scots' ancestors were Irish Kellys who migrated back to Ireland again during the 'Plantation' years. Many people who settled Scotland's east coast however were in fact Scandinavians. The Scottish nation comprises different races, as does the Irish nation. 

A little while back, I met a man of slightly oriental appearance who held Dutch nationality but who believed his forebears had come from the Russian Steppes. He was taken aback therefore when an American DNA company's test results advised him his ancestors were not from Europe at all but were native Americans. The company had not interpreted this result in an historical context however.  Had they done so, they would have realised that the native Americans had settled there from parts of Asia (including the Russian Steppes) by migrating across the land bridge which once linked Asia to North America.    

Whilst DNA analysis is a major development in ancestral research, I think we need to bear in mind that the DNA company reps who are interpreting our results are scientists and not historians. That's my humble view - for what it's worth.

Founding Member Comment by Nollaig 2016 on February 22, 2014 at 7:58am

Sylvester McMonkey McBean DJ :)

Comment by DJ Kelly on February 22, 2014 at 11:31am

I'm afraid I had to look that one up, Belinda, as I've never read the American children's writer Dr Seuss's stories. Now I'm hoping I don't share DNA with the stupid Sneetches! 

Founding Member Comment by Nollaig 2016 on February 22, 2014 at 11:38am

I'm not saying it's right or wrong DJ, just who gets all the $$$ :)

Comment by Alannah Ryane on February 24, 2014 at 12:52pm

Thanks DJ for providing us with more info on this.  I should have spent more time on that part of my post as I missed a few things.  I  just added Tyrone's response into my post above for clarity.  The comment about people who are disappointed stemmed from my cousin Danny imagining the response in the Martin's of Nova Scotia's 250 year "Irish" heritage, my own Mother's who was so upset when I revealed her Dublin born Grandfather was actually a poor orphan from Liverpool (long line of Liverpudlians and no Irish that I could find) sent to Canada as a home child, and the now famous reaction of actor John Hurt when he was told he wasn't of Irish descent on WDYTYA UK.

Comment by Alannah Ryane on February 24, 2014 at 1:08pm

My other cousin Richard Johnson just got back his case study and analysis from Dr. Tyrone Bowes on his Johnson Y-DNA from Wexford this is really fascinating.  Hoping to post on it soon.

Comment by DJ Kelly on February 25, 2014 at 5:09am

So glad to hear your family are getting their hoped-for results Alannah. 

Though I've never tried them, I know that  UK-based DNA analysis firm Oxford Ancestry is run by historian, geneticist and Celt Bryan Sykes.  He famously mapped the DNA of Britain and Ireland and identified the distinct DNA of Celts, Anglo Saxons and Vikings. He proved that the DNA of the Scots & Irish still predominates in the UK. His books, such as 'The Seven Daughters of Eve' are fascinating. Also well worth a read are 'The Sea Kingdoms' by Alistair Moffat and 'The Celts' by Peter Berrisford Ellis.  'The Tribes of Britain' by David Miles is another fascinating book.  All of these live by my bed and I dip into them all the time for research and inspirtion.

I am a linguist with an interest in history (especially Irish history) and I have just published a book entitled 'The Chalfonts and Gerrards Cross at War' which explores the ways in which conflict - from the Stone Age to the present day and including 2 World Wars - has affected the  people, the way of life and even the landscape of 3 Buckinghamshire villages. The book  may surprise and even dismay some of my fellow village residents, as it discredits the generally held view that the history of these villages only begins with the Anglo-Saxons.  I demonstrate that these beautiful hills and valleys, which nestle here in the south east of England, were once home to Celtic (early Welsh) speaking folks who remained here throughout invasions by the Romans, Vikings and Normans.   I aim to demonstrate, through language and DNA findings as well as through historical and archeological research, that the Celts were settled throughout the British Isles for several millennia before the 'English' came into existence.  It won't please everyone.  

Comment by DJ Kelly on February 25, 2014 at 5:14am

I must apologise to our Welsh cousins for omitting them from my comment about Celts predominating (para 2 above). Apols also for misspelling of 'inspiration'. There's no 'edit' facility on these posts.

Comment by Alannah Ryane on February 28, 2014 at 11:41pm

Well DJ your book pleases me already! I was on a ancient celt/druid hunt when I was in Ireland and Wiltshire as I have been studying our ancient origins and I find the connections between the ancient Isles and Egypt etc fascinating as well as the old Druid ways and the Native American ancient wisdom teachings.  So many similarities in the old ways. I am slowly putting together an article on that.  

Comment by DJ Kelly on March 1, 2014 at 3:17am

Looking forward to reading that article, Alannah.

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