'Clan's' blood needed for survey

Researchers need "border reivers" blood samples

If you are an Armstrong, Elliot or Nixon you might be able to help scientists with a new project.

A team from Newcastle University is looking for people with "Border Reiver" surnames to donate blood to find out if names signal genetic make-up.

The reivers were clans who fought bloody confrontations with each other from the 13th Century onwards.

Potential volunteers are being asked to attend the Northumberland and Border History Fair in Hexham on 2 December.

Sheep stealing and burning each other's homes was part of everyday Border Reiver life, according to historians.

[The reivers] left an impressive legacy in the people, culture and architecture of the Border lands Dr Caroline Relton, Newcastle University

Researchers are aiming to find the descendants of these notorious families for the Northern England element of a national project called People of the British Isles (PoBI).

They hope to collect up to 600 blood samples for scientific analysis and will be looking for common genetic patterns and the presence of certain genes, such as those that determine hair colour.

Volunteers should be able to trace all four of their grandparents to the same geographical area in Northumberland, Northern Cumbria, County Durham and the Scottish Borders.

'Fascinating stories'

Project leader, Dr Caroline Relton, of Newcastle University's Institute of Human Genetics, said: "The Border Reivers were at the centre of an incredibly exciting era in British history and they left an impressive legacy in the people, culture and architecture of the Border lands.

"We believe there are equally fascinating stories to be told about the Border Reivers' genetic legacy and we hope to make many discoveries using thorough scientific analysis that has never been done before."

Other "reivers" surnames include Armstrong, Fenwick, Burn or Robson.

The history fair will take place at the Wentworth Leisure Centre.