Quick Questions #1: Ancestry

[tamaranth]

Inspired by a reference in Route 66 AD to Egyptian priests at the time of the Roman Empire, who claimed to trace their ancestry back 10,000 years:

How far back (in years) can you track your family?

Can you think of anyone who can track their family back before the Norman Conquest?

Comments

[yonmei.livejournal.com]

I have to admit, though I have just claimed my mother's clan as my family history, the concept of clan in Scotland was sufficiently inclusive that I have no idea if I have any tenuous genetic connection to the Flemish merchants who came over in the 12th century, and hooked up with Irish nobles who came over in the 6th century.

Practically speaking, however, over eight hundred years (about 30-35 generations) any genetic relationship with one of the several million of my ancestors from that time is no greater than the genetic relationship I share with my next-door neighbour.

[nwhyte]

Probably your genetic connection with your next door neighbour is closer!

[tamaranth.livejournal.com]

my next door neighbour is Chinese. Will this make a difference? <g>

[nwhyte]

800 years ago, some of your ancestors may well have been Chinese!

[tamaranth.livejournal.com]

I'm 1/8 Japanese, and presumably there was a certain amount of contact ...

[nwhyte]

It did cross my mind!