manchester christmas
Thursday, 24th November 2005
Genetic expert tracking down Father ChristmasThe world's leading genetic expert is conducting new research to try to trace Father Christmas. Professor Bryan Sykes, professor of human genetics at Oxford University, is appealing to men with the Christmas surname to come forward to take part in his unique study. Prof Sykes will take a cheek swab from volunteers to locate the DNA sequence of their common ancestor, the progenitor of the family name. He hopes to prove a link between the Christmas family of Essex and the Christmas, often spelled Chrismas, family of Sussex. A connection predates existing records, but has not yet been possible to verify. Prof Sykes said: "We are aware there are several main branches of the family and the main objective of the project is to see if we can find a link back to the original Father Christmas." "It is understood the name has Norman influences and would have come into use in about the 1200s when men started to inherit their father's name and estate. "Christmas was often given as a name to someone born on Christmas Day.
Original "Perhaps we will find our original Father Christmas did have a white beard and give presents to children. "These tales often have a strong foundation in reality, although I am not sure whether our Father Christmas will have a link with the one best known today. I seem to think he has continental roots." Prof Sykes added: "Family historians and genealogists have spent years investigating the origins of the name. Now genetics can really help by linking branches of the family together." Prof Sykes is the author of the international bestseller The Seven Daughters of Eve, which reveals the majority of humans of European extraction can claim to be descended from one of seven women. The study of the Christmas family DNA is being conducted with the assistance of 80-year-old Henry Christmas, who has spent the last 50 years researching the origins and history of the name. There are more than 1,000 bearers of the Christmas surname in the UK. The origin of the Christmas name is uncertain, but it is believed to have Norman influences. Early references to the name date back to Roger of Sussex in 1200, Simon of Pevensey in 1288, William of Huntingdon in 1318, Peter of Steeple Morgan in 1359 and Richard of Colchester in 1400. By the early 1500s written records show the wide spread of members of the Christmas family from Essex to Surrey, Cambridgeshire, London and Sussex. Through his research, Henry Christmas, from Shrewsbury, Shropshire, has found more than 9,000 names from the late 1500s to now. For more information about the study, visit www.oxfordancestors.com.
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