Chapter 1: Ancestral Connections Uncovered

Have you ever pondered the differences between a Spanish individual and a Welsh one? This isn’t the setup for a joke, though it might seem that way! If you’re familiar with my previous account of the Welsh who settled in Patagonia, you might know that I hail from England but now reside in Wales.

Since my move, many have assumed I belong to the Welsh community, which I find quite delightful! This leads to amusing situations, especially when conversations kick off in rapid Welsh that often leaves me scrambling. Typically, we switch to English, and more often than not, the person I’m speaking with remarks, “You certainly look Welsh to me, cariad!”

This intrigued me, prompting me to investigate further. I discovered that many Welsh individuals share traits such as being short, stocky, with dark hair, dark eyes, and a complexion that’s somewhat olive-toned. I fit that description perfectly. According to several genealogy platforms I’ve explored, I possess a minuscule percentage of Welsh ancestry—so small that it raises questions about how this ‘Welshness’ manifests in my appearance.

Not being particularly fond of self-examination, I decided to delve deeper into my family’s visual history. I examined photographs of my father, grandmother, cousin, uncle, and grandfather, all of whom shared similar physical traits. The mystery deepened!

My paternal genealogical trail is a bit convoluted and scattered, typical of many family histories. Yet, with assistance from genealogy websites, I discovered some ancestral ties to the Iberian Peninsula. While these links are not recent, they do trace back within the last two centuries, which feels immediate compared to the Welsh heritage that appears to derive from my maternal lineage.

Of course, I recognize that the effectiveness of genealogy websites hinges on the data they receive. After two decades of researching my family tree, I've encountered numerous obstacles and deceptive paths. However, this narrative isn’t solely about my lineage; it delves into a far more captivating historical context.

According to Professor Stephen Oppenheimer from Oxford University, a significant portion of Welsh individuals—around 81%—have DNA that connects them to ancestors who migrated to Britain from the Basque Country between 7,500 and 15,000 years ago. This revelation, detailed in his book The Origins of the British: A Genetic Detective Story, challenges conventional beliefs that the primary ancestry of populations in Scotland, Ireland, and Wales stems from Celtic farmers who arrived in the British Isles approximately 6,500 years ago. Oppenheimer argues that this notion is a mere Celtic myth and posits that the majority of the British Isles' gene pool is ancient, tracing back to the period following the last Ice Age.

He suggests that Britain was largely uninhabited at that time, resembling a 'polar desert' until the initial settlers arrived from the Basque region around 13,000 BCE. He theorizes that the Welsh ancestors arrived during this time and that later immigrants contributed minimally—around 5%—to the overall genetic makeup.

What about the language spoken during this repopulation phase? Oppenheimer indicates that no evidence supports the existence of Celtic languages until much later, implying that the newcomers likely communicated in a language similar to Basque. He also mentions indications of Basque influences on subsequent Celtic languages, an area I would love to explore further.

At University College London, Professor Steve Jones and his team dedicated years to mapping the genetic landscape of the Y-chromosome, inherited through the male lineage. Their findings, discussed in Professor Jones’ book Y: The Descent of Men, reveal a genetic connection between the Welsh and the Basques of northern Spain and southern France, as well as with Native Americans. This lineage can be traced back to the Kets people of western Siberia.

Supporting this, research led by Professor David Goldstein of the same institution highlighted that Welsh and Irish Celts are genetically akin to the Basques. This study found that while Y-chromosomes in Celtic and Norwegian populations were distinct, those of the Celtic group were statistically indistinguishable from those of the Basques.

Returning to the original question about the differences between a Spanish man and a Welsh man, we must refine our focus on the Basques, as the research strongly indicates that, in terms of DNA, the differences are minimal.

To conclude, I do possess a small percentage of Welsh DNA, along with a more significant portion from the Iberian Peninsula, the specifics of which remain unclear. As I noted, this lineage originates from my father’s side, who also had Jewish ancestry. I have my theories about what may have transpired in their history, but I still need to investigate further.

Despite the uncertainties surrounding my family’s past, I maintain that there is more that binds us as humans than divides us. Throughout history, people have migrated for various reasons—trade, safety, and even less noble motives. Our connections run deeper than we often realize.

While I wish to clarify my exact ancestral origins, this quest won’t alter my fascination with diverse cultures, traditions, or countries. There’s always something relatable to discover, no matter how foreign a place—or a person—may initially seem.

Every culture boasts a unique way of extending greetings and welcoming others. Here are a few examples:

• Cymraeg (Welsh): Helo, sut wyt ti?
• Euskara (Basque): Kaixo, zer moduz?
• Ladino (Hispanic language of Jews of Spanish descent): Ke haber?

We can all begin our conversations from here.

Chapter 2: Insights from Genetic Research

The first video, "Basque Origins | DNA, Language, and History," explores the genetic connections and historical narratives surrounding the Basque people.

The second video, "Ancestry DNA Results Say You're Basque - What Now?" discusses the implications of discovering Basque ancestry through DNA testing.

Sources:

1. The Origins of the British: A Genetic Detective Story
2. Y: The Descent of Men
3. Basques are brothers of the Celts — article on The Telegraph news website

For more insights, you can read my earlier article about the Welsh individuals who settled in Patagonia to preserve their culture and language:

Patagonia — Where the Welsh Language Went to Thrive