The history of the Isle of Man would suggest that the bulk of the population is of old Celtic genetic origin, with traces of Scandinavian genes, either from the time of the Norse rule of the Island or from intermingling with neighbouring Scots and Irish
A study was carried out in 2003 (Capelli et al.) to investigate the genetic make up of the whole of the British Isles which included testing 62 Manx men resident on the Isle of Man and possessing traditional Manx family names. Amongst other findings, this study confirmed the existence in the male population of the British Isles of genetic traces of people of Scandinavian origin in places where Vikings were known to have settled, including the IOM. The broad inference drawn from these results was that approximately 39% of Manx males showed a possible Scandinavian genetic origin (Haplogroups R1a + I) and the remaining 61% (Haplogroup R1b) a Celtic origin.
The precision of these particular tests and analyses by today’s standards however is relatively crude and imprecise, as DNA testing and interpretation has progressed dramatically since 2003.
The purpose of this posting is to announce that I have now set up a Manx Y-DNA project with the following objectives:
1. To provide a broad review of the Y-DNA profiles, by haplogroup and haplotype grouping, of members of the main Manx families
2. Wherever possible, to identify genetic linkages between these individual Manx families and other families/tribes/clans outside the Isle of Man and the possible timeframes for such connections.
3. To identify if there are any inter-relationships between the male lines of different Manx families, if they exist.
Manx males who have already been Y-DNA tested by any of the commercial testing companies are invited to include their results in this project database. Eligibility for inclusion is limited to those men who possess one of the well-known range of Manx family names and know they are of Manx origin.
More detail is given on the Study website www.manxdna.co.uk and I would invite any male member of this board who has already been Y-DNA tested to submit his data for inclusion in the study. Also any other member of the board who knows a male member of their family who has been similarly tested is invited to offer them for inclusion.
This is a relatively long term venture as I do not expect a sufficient body of results to be available immediately but I would hope in time this work will reveal new insights into the early history of all our families. If anyone has any questions then please reply to this post or contact me via the study website.
Thanks in advance
John Creer