Mr Robson was the grandad of them all

Jun 8 2007 By Audrey Forbes, The Journal

A group of people in the North-East bearing one of the region's most common surnames have been found to have a direct genetic link dating back at least 2,000 years, Newcastle research has revealed.

The study carried out by the Centre for Life in Newcastle focused on people who shared the surname Robson and by testing their DNA found strong links within the group.

A staggering 90% of the group could be genetically connected together and two main tribes emerged with the men in each separate clan carrying an identical Y chromosome.

Half of all the participants had a direct genetic link back to one male ancestor who was alive 2,000 years ago.

Lead scientist Doctor Alix cor Groom, research associate at the Institute of Human Genetics, said: "If we say that each generation is 21 years we can work out that almost half the descendents are from the same person who was alive 2,000 years ago.

"There are no papers or research records going back 2,000 years ago. Using genetics we have revealed information on how people are related to each other that would have otherwise been hidden."

Scientists picked the surname Robson for the six-month study entitled Robson Encyclopaedia as it has strong links to the North-East.

Mouth swabs were taken from 100 men to record their DNA.

Researchers looked at the Y chromosome only carried by men as it is the only one that does not change from generation to generation so it can be used as a tracker to look at the migration of males.

Professor John Burn revealed the results to the group of Robson families who took part in the study yesterday.

The research found 54 different Y chromosomes within the group and approximately 90% of the group had genetic links with each other.

Of the Robson men tested they found 20 of them had an identical pattern of DNA identifying them as a common clan.

Another DNA pattern was shared by a second group of 10 men.

The study authors hope the research will trigger people's interest in genetics and the results including a short film are being exhibited in the Centre for Life.

John and Brenda Robson from Burnopfield in County Durham attended the presentation with their son Phil and daughter Julia.

John, 73, and Phil, 47, took part in the test and were amazed by the results. "I am surprised I am linked to so many people here," said John.

"I want to know about our own individual Y chromosomes now so I know which group I fit into," added Phil.

"It is amazing they said there were links between 90% of us. This just makes us want to find out more."