View Full Version : The Seven Daughters of Eve
I read yesterday that The National Geographic Society is going to undertake a 5 year survey on the 'migration' of the human race by DNA testing 100,000 people. I had my DNA tested last year, and if anyone wants to read more about it, the book is called The Seven Daughters of Eve by Professor Bryan Sykes, an expert in genetics. Scientists have found that everybody is descended from just one woman, they have named, aptly, Eve. Eve lived in Africa, tens of thousands of years ago. Her descendents gradually began to spread across the globe, and we are all descended from one of seven of Eve's descendents [the 7 'daughters']. The book is fascinating, especially for anyone interested in family history. The 7 daughters have been named - Ursula,Xenia,Helena,Velda,Tara,Katrine, and Jasmine, and they each settled in a different part of the world, and over the centuries their descendents too spread further afield. My ' Eve's daughter' settled on the borders of France with Spain, and would have lived there 20,000 years ago :bigeyes: . I am really glad I had my DNA tested, and have been in touch with a lady in the US who has the same DNA as me, thus making us related, albeit distantly. By the way, I am a descendent of Helena. :thumbs:
Hi sp54,
Sounds like my kinda book, when I have finished with all my other reads............. where did you have your dna test? Did it take long?
It's like in the bible really isn't it, when they begat and begat and spread all over........I'd definitely like to read this book though.
Sunny, Bryan Sykes is a professor at Oxford, and he has a website about the DNA tests. I can't find the exact site address, but a search for ' Oxford Ancestors' would take you there. The tests are quite expensive, but for me it was worth every penny. I had it as a present actually - original at least! I think the NatGeogSoc. test is going to be cheaper, about £52. The test for women is the mitochondrial DNA - this is carried through the female line, but our sons would have it too, and so they can be tested for that and the Y chromosome DNA through the male line. Lucky them. It sounds a bit scientific, but is all explained very well and in everday language [thank goodness!], and for your money you get a certificate, your mitochondrial DNA readout, and all the info about the 'daughter' from whom you are descended. They even know what their diet would have been, and how they lived etc. through archaeologists. I had to wait about 6 weeks. The price can be shared of course, with for example, your children, siblings, mother, maternal grandmother, maternal aunts or cousins etc.etc.So long as you all have the same female line, their DNA would be identical, and you can have extra certificates done with their names on, which spreads the cost.
Found the web address for anyone interested - www.oxfordancestors.com
Hi SP54,
Thanks so much for all of that. I did mention the book to Hubby last night, so maybe I'll get it as a treat!!!!!!!!
I haven't got back to you in ages, as sometimes I find it very hard to find the thread I was reading a few days' ago!!!!
I know, useless I am!!
So, will have a look at the website. And, if I do take the test, will also let you know, though money is tight at the moment.
I am working on my family tree at the moment, so anything like this interests me.
Thanks so much for the info.
:thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:
:thumbs: Excellent, sunny. The book is fascinating.
Good luck with the family tree too. Now that's a subject I could go on about for hours and hours and hours............. :lol: :clap2: ;)
hollygolightly
26-04-05, 05:15 PM
Originally posted by sunny@26th April 2005 - 2:40 PM
sometimes I find it very hard to find the thread I was reading a few days' ago!!!!
I know, useless I am!!105480
For info, sunny, you can always chose to "Track this topic" - click at the top of the topic and then chose which option you want! You'll never lose a topic again! ;) :D
This book sounds great! :thumbs:
Very interesting, sp54. :yes: :)
Thanks Holli,
Why didn't I think of that then??????????
I blame having 4 kids.................. :D :D and no brain left......... :lol: :lol:
SP54, I totally agree there with you too.
Family trees, I am trying to sort out mine and then hubby's but his.........now there's a real story and a challenge, involving so many different countries, people, no trace of hardly any of them, etc, etc, etc. It is so hard, I give up for a while and then go back to it :hihi: :hihi: :hihi:
Mmm, me too. :cry: When I get well and truly stuck I give up for a while, and then go back to it afresh a while later. In between I start on a different line of research. Different countries though - that is tricky. More and more is becoming available online though :thumbs: - thankfully :lol:
Yep, problem is though SP54 that we are talking about English soliders/men over in India/Burma around 1800's????????
I would just love to go down to Somerset House is it in London, but I'd need a month there!!!!!!!
Maybe one day???????
hollygolightly
27-04-05, 11:06 AM
I've set somebody on a task today to go and get the book for me! :D
Looking forward to reading it! :)
Hi sunny, one of my hubby's ancestors was born in India too, and I haven't yet gone down that route, but it is possible. There were a couple of articles in one of the family history mags recently about tracing ancestors in India. There is so much that can be done online these days as well. You can search for and order birth/marriage and death certificates [pay to view] and several of the censuses can now be searched online too.
Holly, great :thumbs: I couldn't put the book down, and just had to find out which 'daughter' I am descended from [Helena]. It ends up making the world seem a very small place.......
Hey SP54 fancy that then!!!!!! When and if I find out anything re the India connection will let you know, but don't wait for it.........
Oooh Holly, am jealous now. Must ring hubby tellhim to get it for me.........
he works in the City where we live there'd be no chance in getting it here.
Will update you as and when.
Keep us posted SP54 and Holly. :D
freakyfun
27-04-05, 03:37 PM
Ahh, Multiregional Theory vs. Replacement Theory.
Both not yet proved.
Both with evidence for and against.
I'm not sure I like people making money from an 'theory'.
FF
Have ordered said book, on Play.com £5.99!!!!!!!
Am waiting.............though it may be nearer next Tuesday for deliver now!!!!
Hi sunny,
Oh excellent :thumbs:
Good price too. :D
Let us know what you think :thumbs:
Hi SP54,
Book arrived yesterday and have read 2 chapters already. :D
Its great, love it already.
Thanks :thumbs: :thumbs:
Originally posted by sunny@1st May 2005 - 10:20 PM
Hi SP54,
Book arrived yesterday and have read 2 chapters already. :D
Its great, love it already.
Thanks :thumbs:** :thumbs:
106326
Hi sunny,
I'm so glad you are enjoying it. I couldn't put it down either :lol:
I'll warn you though, you will end up desperate to know which daughter you are descended from :unsure: :rolleyes: :lol:
SP54,
I know!!!!!!!!!!!
I already want to find out which daughter I belong to............oh crumbs, this could be expensive you know!!!!!!!! :D
I Love the way it is all explained for you, although it does take some time to understand the structures of DNA, etc, etc, etc!!!!!! Getting there. :D
Originally posted by sunny@2nd May 2005 - 9:02 AM
SP54,
I know!!!!!!!!!!!
I already want to find out which daughter I belong to............oh crumbs, this could be expensive you know!!!!!!!! :D
106370
The scientific stuff is complex, so I didn't worry too much about understanding all of it. ;)
The DNA test - I couldn't justify spending that sort of money on it, so I had it as a birthday present. You get quite a bit for your money, and I am oh so proud of my certificate and DNA printout. You can then use his website to contact others who have the identical DNA as you, which is great fun. I am in touch with a lady in the US who knew her gt. grandmother was born in a particular British city, which was the same place my gt.grandmother was born :o So, we are probably related from around that time. Fascinating.
OOOOOOOh!!!!!!!!
Want a test,
want a test,
want a test..........!!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D
I have not looked into the prices yet, but will do, maybe for christmas????????
Yours sounds great, what's the chances of you finding someone whose gt grandma was born in the same city as yours? Sisters?????
Thanks again, great book, will keep on updating you. :)
Hi again,
When I get a bee in my bonett..........!!!!!!
Have looked on google and jeeves and am immediately innundated with all sorts of places for dna tests and frankly brain is fizzing,.
Can you tell me which place you went to please????? Pleassssse?
Also, I told you about huuby's ancestors being born in India? Had a go at the family tree again last night or was it Sat?
Anyway, have you been onto the site www.familysearch.org????? It belongs to the Church of the Latter Day Saints.
I found his great grandmother there the other night and was so surprised to have found it too. She was born in Bombay in 1882 and they had that info on there and for free too!!!!!!
I have also found loads of info on my family on there, for free too.
They use all the church records and military records. So good luck.
Regards
:hihi: :lol: You've really been bitten by the bug haven't you,sunny?? :thumbs:
The test is a swab you take yourself from the inside of the cheek and send off to them. I'll pm you the details.
Yes, I did know about the familysearch site. It's great isn't it?
A lot of the census returns can be searched online now too. The 1881 is on the familysearch site and is also free.
www.ancestry.co.uk has pay to view 1871 and 1891 census and
www.1837online.com has started to put the 1861 census online. At the moment there are only a few counties searchable, but they are adding them all the time. It is also pay to view.
Sorry, I don't know how to do the link thing :blush:
Very addictive hobby :o :bigeyes:
Mr Ribbit
03-05-05, 09:24 AM
Originally posted by sp54@3rd May 2005 - 8:14 AM
Very addictive hobby** :o** :bigeyes:
Looks fascinating. I love all this talk of research into family history. I know it would be very difficult to research my own as historical record keeping of any sort is very sp******** in the country that my family line. :( The thing is I find this area so fascinating that I'm considering researching families of friends instead. :blush: I know one couple who would love to trace their family history but haven't a clue how so I've thought of looking into it on their behalf. At the moment though I need to learn how to do that myself first! :yes:
Fascinating subject though.
Mr Ribbitt,
I have found out so much from the familysearch.org site it is the Church of the Latter Day Saints and they have information from all over the world.
Hubby's parents hail from India/Burma/China/Portugal, you name it they were there!!!!!!!!!!
I have found 1 ancestor from India just this week-end and was totally delighted.
Go on, have a go.............. :D :D
FedUpMum
03-05-05, 11:22 AM
I've been doing my family tree for about three months. Fortunately my mum had done it years ago and managed to trace back 7 generations. However, that's where we hit a brick wall. My father's side of the family are Irish and the records centre was burned down. It had all the census information in and is no longer available. It means that any research would have to be carried out in person.
The mormon websites are great for family research. They have a program to help you collate the information too.
You might find that if the church has your family records on file that somewhere along the line you a family member in the church.
I am totally and completely obsessed with family history :blush:
Mr. Ribbit, When I hit a brick wall on mine and mr.sp's research, rather than not do any research at all, I do it for friends. I just get so much pleasure from it, and that feeling of excitement and achievement is there just as much when I am doing it for someone else. The thrill on the faces of people when you tell them there ancestors names, occupations etc. etc. makes it all worthwhile :thumbs: I would say 'go for it' you will get enormous pleasure doing it for friends. If you need any help starting out, let me know ;)
FUM, It's a shame the Irish records were lost in a fire. I have 'almost' proved mr.sp has some Irish ancestry, but know it will be very difficult to get any further back on it. On another of his lines, we have traced several centuries back. We find that in the early 1600's his direct ancestor was a vicar in a little Kent village. We have a copy of a portrait of him, and it's that sort of thing, and visiting the old church where he preached that I find overwhelmingly humbling :blush: I get very emotional over the whole thing!!! The poor vicar lost his first 2 wives during or just after childbirth, but went on to marry a 3rd time. He had 18 children and owned the village pub. Sounds like my kind of guy :lol: ;)
Hi,
Just to let you know I am STILL reading this book!!!!! It is very interesting, but you need to be quite awake to read it properly and take it all in, seeing as I only read at bedtimes, and am quite tired when bedtime comes round.........but I am getting there.
Am on hol at the end of May, so will probably finish it on the beach...............
Will keep you posted.
Did find the website, will get the test, WHEN I have the money!!!!!!!!!!
Happy reading
:)
Sunny, you are obviously much cleverer than I am! My brain switches off about 6pm, so reading a book like that at bedtime would be too much for me :hihi: :lol:
I read it during the day - but it is worth it, and it leaves you soooo curious as to which daughter you are descended from.
I am really doing well in my family history this week. I have some Yorkshire ancestry, and have made some really good discoveries on them this week. The house is dirty, I have a ton or ironing, but apart from making lentil soup yesterday :thumbs: I am concentrating all my efforts on that this week. Lovely!
Clever?
Moi?
Nooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!
It's just that bedtime is the only time I have to myself, well, not even that time!
During the day I am working, running around after the kids, cooking, etc. On here! Then I willr rush off and collect the kiddies, etc. So nighttime is best for me; but that's also why it's taking me so long to finish as I am so tired when I start reading.........
Good news on the family history front; I have done nothing on ours for 2 weeks now.
How did you find your info? Latter Day Saints?
Anyway, good results.
Will inform you of more info as and when!
cheers,
sunny :D
Hi sunny,
There is just so much online now for tracing family history. Have you added your info to the genes reunited site? Hardly a day goes by without my getting at least one enquiry from that site. Over the weekend I got in touch with a lady who was tracing one of the same lines as me. She took me back a couple more generations, and so I now have another couple of surnames to research. I ordered a CD of parish records from the parish in Yorkshire I am searching. That was £7.50 very well spent :thumbs: . The CD has the records from 1568-1812, and so instead of taking time and money travelling to Yorkshire from Surrey and not guaranteeing I will find anything, I have done so much in my own home. Also, I have been able to access the 1841 census for Yorkshire online. Wonderful!!
Of course, I still want to go to Yorkshire to see the village, and have lunch in the pub my gt.gt.gt. grandfather was the innkeeper of etc, but it's just amazing what you can do from your own home.