DNA Analysis
An interesting development in genealogical research has been the use of DNA analysis. This is a means of examining our genetic heritage to determine where we originally come from.
I do not claim to be a genetic biologist (in fact I trained as a mining geologist, which is something completely different!) nor do I claim any expertise in this area so if I make any mistakes in the following paragraphs I hope that I can be forgiven. I last studied biology when I was doing my A-levels in the late 1980's.
For family history purposes the Y-DNA test, which follows the male line, is more useful than the far more general picture provided by the mitochondrial (mDNA) test, which follows the female line. Having said that, as I am a bit of a family history geek, I had them both done!
I sent off, via Ancestry.co.uk, for a Y-DNA testing kit, followed the instructions and duly sent it back. A couple of weeks later I had the results which showed that my paternal (ie: Kingshott - my father's, father's, father etc.) genetic roots were Scandinavian. I am what is now described as Haplogroup I1, a sub-group of Haplogroup I.
Y-DNA haplogroup I is a European haplogroup that represents nearly one-fifth of the current European population. It is almost non-existent outside of Europe, suggesting that it arose within Europe itself. Estimates of the age of haplogroup I suggest that it arose prior to the last Ice Age. There are two main subgroups (I1 and I2) that are likely to have divided approximately 28,000 years ago.
Haplogroup I1, the Kingshott haplogroup, has its highest frequency in Scandinavia, Iceland, and northwest Europe, especially Denmark. In Britain, haplogroup I1 is often used as a marker for "invaders", be they Viking, Jutes, Angles, Saxons or earlier inhabitants that arrived via Doggerland, which is now under the English Channel/North Sea.
This map shows the migration patterns of my band of merry neolithic wanderers. The move to southern Europe conincided with the Ice Sheet which covered Scandanavia at the time. This forced "my people" south to what was then the tundra of Southern Europe. These are the chaps that made flint tools that you can often see in museums and formed part of a group known as the Gravettians.
The Grevettian people introduced new stone tool technology, as well as novel art forms typified by the distinctive fertility symbols known as "Venus" figurines (see below). My ancestors clearly liked the larger lady, and to be honest, who can blame them! They were also experts in the making of flint tools, especially the distinctive arrowheads known as Gravette Points.
A nice example of a Prehistoric Venus Figurine (phwoaar!!!)
Although there are several theories, the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of "my" haplogroup I1 is said to have lived from 4,000 to 6,000 years ago somewhere in the far northern part of Europe, probably Denmark. His descendants are primarily found among the Germanic populations of northern Europe and the bordering Uralic and Celtic populations, although even in traditionally German demographics I1 is overshadowed by the more prevalent Haplogroup R.
This is certainly very interesting in itself, though I didn’t think it would assist my modern day research. However, I was also contacted by a fellow genealogist with a similar, though differently spelt name, who had also had his DNA tested on the same website. We had been in contact for some time, and believed that we knew where our link was. The question was therefore whther the DNA analysis could assist by providing evidence of our proposed relationship?
Our DNA was a complete match! So we were certainly related, and the analysis also showed that there was over a 90% chance that we were related within 6 generations. This tied in exactly with my research. Of course, when I say that our DNA was a complete match, I actually mean that the portions of DNA that were tested matched in all areas. Obviously we wouldn't have a complete DNA match, otherwise we would be twins and our parents would have a bit of explaining to do!
So genetically, the Kingshotts' hail from southern Scandinavia. I am not sure what this tells us, but it is quite interesting nonetheless.
The picture below is how I imagine that my ancestors looked when they arrived in the UK. This is pretty similar to how we all are today. For me, as you will no doubt agree by comparing my photo on the About Me page, it is like looking in a mirror!
An early Kingshott (probably)
If you are considering taking a DNA test I would strongly recommend the test offered by Ancestry.com as this will enable us to directly compare results. Click here for details. It is not exactly cheap, but is well worth it from a genealogical point of view. Well I think so anyway!