Origins through DNA (General)

by Roger Griffiths , Thursday, July 19, 2012, 10:42 (4505 days ago)

Although not immediately pertinent to family history in detail, this may interest some members.

A year ago and again a few days ago, BBC Radio4 Today had items on tracing our personal origins, male and female. In the item a year ago, one of the presenters gave a simple saliva swab and was identified, not only as an Anglo-Saxon, but an Angle from southern Denmark.

Last night, I happened to be watching A History of Celtic Britain (BBC) presented by Neil Oliver on Youtube. Neil, an apparent Scot through and through, submitted his sample. His mother came up as originating in northern Scotland, fine so far. However, Neil's origins were in Central Europe, looked like Hungary to me. He was visibly shocked. Roman auxiliary posted to Hadrian's Wall and survived the Viking and Anglo-Saxon invasions by moving into Scotland?

The company who provides this service is www.britainsdna.com. Cost for male/female £170 and for male an extra £30 for mtDNA. Be prepared for shocks