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January 18, 2015

MacNeil Clan Suprised by DNA Findings of Viking Ancestry Not Niall of the Nine Hostages

MacNeil Clan Suprised by DNA Findings of Viking Ancestry Not Niall of the Nine Hostages
For centuries the MacNeil clan living on the Hebridean island of Barra have proudly claimed to be descendants of Ireland's greatest King, Niall of the Nine Hostages. However DNA testing has proven this story a myth. 

DNA swabs taken from Barra MacNeils as far away as Canada and Australia have shown no trace of Irish ancestry. Instead the DNA indicates Viking (Norse) ancestors.
"We can say we can re-write the history of the Clan MacNeil," said genealogist Vincent MacNeil, from Nova Scotia, Canada. "We don't have one participant from Barra that matches the O'Neills of Ireland. Source: Herald Scotland
Continue reading the full story at Macneil clan shocked as DNA checks force rewrite of history
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1 comment:

  1. Heather10:48 PM

    check this site, which covers, not the northern McNeil of Barra, but, the southern McNeil of Gigha clan,
    http://www.knapdalepeople.com/clanmcneillintro.html

    The family even features different forenames.

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