Genealogy Chat

That looks really interesting thanks for telling us. I'll nudge this for anyone who hasn't seen it. Caz

Yes, I noticed it in the listings. Looks like it could be worth viewing: Archaeologist Neil Oliver travels through Britain looking at the amazing historical evidence hidden within our genes. Face of Britain unveils the results of the biggest ever genetic survey of Britain, providing remarkable answers and some big surprises as it reveals who we really are. Neil Oliver's quest is based on a unique research project: taking DNA samples from the rural population, a genetic map of Britain has been charted revealing which ancient people settled where, and in what numbers, answering questions that have puzzled historians for generations. During the series, Neil meets some of the survey's volunteers, including MP Anne Widdecombe and world famous percussionist Evelyn Glennie. Neil explores their family trees and reveals who their ancient ancestors were. The results revealed in this series are fascinating. In Devon and Cornwall there is a strong Celtic genetic signature, meaning the locals are the direct descendants of a handful of hunter-gatherers who settled there just after the last Ice Age, some 12,000 years ago. In East Anglia, the gene pool is largely Anglo Saxon, dating back to the Anglo Saxon conquest in the fifth and sixth centuries. While in the Orkneys, the series reveals Viking DNA to be present in today's population.

Must watch --he is lovely!!! Ros

Thanks for the info. I wondered whether it was going to be on, I bought the book about 6 weeks ago (quite cheap at Tesco) and thought I must have missed the series.Great! Chris

For all of you who are interested in our ancestry more than just collecting names this series looks as if it will be worth watching. It is presented by the lovely Neil Oliver, (he did the excellent 'Coast' series, so he should be worth watching also!