For those of you who use the words of war as if it is still being fought -

The Welsh watered down?
The Welsh are the most genetically pure of these islands. Close to the Irish and also the French Bretons and Basques.

Even so, we are all immigrants, even from thousands of years ago after the Ice Age.

Determined to have the last word, aren't you dear!

Watered down? Dear oh dear. Eugenics 101 (as we will soon be saying) would tell you that constant inbreeding is not a good thing.

I know I started this thread but the use of language tells you so much about someone's thinking doesn't it. It seems to me that none of the thinking that fuelled the rise to power of a madman has ever disappeared! Each time I think I cannot feel more sad for my country someone comes along to show that the underlying thinking is worse than I ever guessed. I am obviously very naive.

No, GracesGran...it's part of being human to think we are each superior to anyone else. See what is happening on here....everyone trying to get the upper hand.

We have moved on to the subject of anthropology...the study of humankind and its origins. A very interesting subject in its own right.

The idea behind my mentioning DNA was to suggest that we are all made up of a variety of races from all over the world. RosieLeah referred to a book and tv programme but I think that must have been some time ago because an increasing number of people are having their DNA tested as they are interested in their family roots. (and the prices for testing have reduced)

In August 2017 the Daily Mail reported on DNA tests done on around 120 residents of the Cotswold village Bledington. You would think that in this place, being an archetypal English village, the residents would be of mainly Anglo Saxon origin. However, 18 separated global locations were identified. 42% Anglo Saxon, 21% Western Europe (what is now Germany and France) and 11% Scandinavian. Moreover familial relationships were found that the individuals knew nothing about.

My DH had his DNA tested recently and his results surprised us - 37% Scandinavian, 30% Anglo Saxon, 17% Celtic, 4% Iberian and 2% West Asian (Turkey etc) The remainder, as with the Bledington villagers, were tiny amounts from the world over. I suppose we shouldn't have been surprised since we Brits being historically a great sea-faring and trading nation were bound to have developed relationships with other peoples.

Another interesting subject, Rose, is why you are concerned about some unnamed entities spreading dissent and division in the world. Who/what are you referring to? and, why are you bothered when you voted for division?

RosieLeah, I find your comments about genealogy really interesting, but it's a pity that your conversation is being misconstrued and sneered at with the inevitable input of Brexit!! I've done my own family tree and been both surprised and saddened at what I found but not dismayed. I saw a programme about the sailors who went down with the Mary Rose, (you probably did too) and the discovery of the different nationalities was an eye opener from what was originally thought. Genealogy is fascinating stuff if it can be discussed in a constructive way!!

I'm not sneering at family history. I've spent years researching my own family history, so I have a reasonable idea of my own genetic make up. However, I'm incredulous at the idea of "pureblood". There is no such thing and surely nobody is unaware of the use German Nazis made of the word "Blut" in their propaganda.

The results really aren't surprising, Dinahmo. If you think about it, you have 2 parents, 4 grandparents, 8 great grandparents, 16 gt gt grandparents, 32 gt gt gt grandparents, 64 4 x grandparents, 128 5 x gt grandparents, etc etc. There are approximately three generations a century, so after five centuries, there are thousands of ancestors. It is highly unlikely that during that time, there won't be a few "foreigners", which will show up in genetic testing.

We are all descended from a handful of people many many years ago.

PS. Many people in West Wales have Iberian DNA, because sailors from Portugal and Spain settled there many years ago.

RosieLeah, I suspect you think everybody is motivated in the same way you are. I don't see everybody trying to get the upper hand. I see many people expressing frustration and anger.

It we be good for all to bear in mind that this country was physically attached to Europe many moons ago.

BTW. Everybody has "kissing cousins" in their ancestry. Do the maths. The population of the world 1000 years ago wasn't great enough for the number of ancestors people have, so there must have been incestuous relationships.

Should read : It would be good.

If you are religious & believe in the Bible, then incest is part of our ancestry.

The thing is, certain posters on here are implying an unpleasant racial superiority of one type of people over another with talk of “pure blood “ and “watered down”, - purity obviously being superior to being watered down. The fact is, more mixed breeding results in stronger and more resilient traits emerging. Inbred animals are more susceptible to genetic weaknesses.

I do remember hearing the term. - He/ she comes from ‘Good Stock’ or has Blue Blood .
Hard to believe that now .

" The fact is, more mixed breeding results in stronger and more resilient traits emerging. Inbred animals are more susceptible to genetic weaknesses."
Good point crystaltipps.
For a long time I've been interested in Russian history, music, literature etc. Also I have an affinity for Scandinavia.
One of my cousins found out that a paternal ancestor was born in St. Petersburg. Our family were seafarers from NE UK, and sailed into the Baltic Sea, trading with the various countries.
Coal in exchange for tree trunks for pit props.

"No, GracesGran...it's part of being human to think we are each superior to anyone else." Thu 08-Aug-19 10:14:08

Do you really think everyone believes that? Do you think you are superior to everyone else? This is a political point of view RosieLeah and not one held by everyone and almost certainly not by the majority. Not only is it political it is really quite far to the right politically. If you believe you are superior it gives you leave, in your own mind to consider others inferior.

I am only one example but I believe we are all born equal and with an equal entitlement. I cannot tell you how grateful I am that you are willing to share your world view, even if, at the same time I am horrified.

I am sure a socialist would tell you their belief it different to mine but it will not be as far from it as yours is unless they are very extreme in their view of the part the state plays. Someone with a liberal view will believe in equality of opportunity while a socialist may veer more to equality of outcome but generally not so much that we cannot have a conversation

To a conservative (small c), conservatism is the very opposite of equality. There are of course two forms of equality in politics as I mentioned above; equality of outcome and equality of opportunity. Conservative politics has been opposed to equality of outcome but some conservatives do bend when it comes to both economics and education. Of these I would include those who call themselves "One Nation" Conservatives.

Further to the conservative right you will find the picture created of the "lazy" and the "workshy" and "those who take no responsibility". For this conservatism, this is never a lack in society but always the fault of the person. This thinking is now often called Far Right or New Right and it seems to be where your philosophy may fit RosieLeah. There are those further to the right of course. I am just hoping you are not that extreme.

Conservative politics has been opposed to equality of outcome but some conservatives do bend when it comes to both economics and education.

should read

Conservative politics has been opposed to equality of outcome and opportunity but some conservatives do bend when it comes to both economics and education.

One day I will learn to write!!!

We Europeans are all descended from Charlemagne.

Apparently.
That's my last word RosieLeah!

growstuff I'm not surprised by the results but I think that many people would be. As Callistemon wrote "We Europeans" and that is what I was hoping to get over - that we are European and not just Little Englanders.