Rhubarb Commando, I thought you and others in the UK
might be interested in this article if you have
not seen it in your local media:
http://www.chad.co.uk/news/national/one-million-romans-in-britain-1-5443212<><>
Actually, there are probably a lot more of us who are descended from other Europeans who came to Britain during the Roman occupation. Plus, as we already know from previous studies, quite a lot of us are descended from the various Viking groups which came over here in the 9th to 10th centuries for a bit of rape and pillage and then either stayed or went home for the missus before settling here. Britons are mongrels, there's no doubt about that!
Dunno what they mean by "direct descendants". It's not like genes are great respecters of primogeniture.
The article says, "The study concluded: "Since the number of Italians or descendants of Italians in the legions did reduce very much over time, we estimate conservatively that one million men in Britain descend from Romans in the direct male line."
As to the numbers of people in Scotland bearing these genes, this is most probably mainly a result of the large Italian immigration to scotland - particularly Glasgow - in the late C19 and early C20. Movement between Glasgow and Blefast may possibly explsin some of the Irish results, although there is also the consideration that there was a fair amount of trade between Ireland and the Romans - and withn italy, later on. Casual relationships with sailors and travellers, resident agents and traders, all bring a likelihood of gene distribution.
Can we tell, genetically, who is in the direct male line? Direct female line, sure, with mitochondrial DNA, but male?
Wal, Ma'am - I do watch mah tongue when theyars Ladeez present.
