Hi,
If you are a HARRIES/HARRIS/HARRISS, you, or your relatives, may be
interested in the following research. There is a project which is studying
the
DNA of HARRISes (and all variants) around the world at:-
http://www.harrisdna.org/
It also has an entry on Wikipedia at:-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HARRIS_Surname_DNA_Project
Its aim is to give genealogy researchers direction in finding their origin,
which is often difficult with a common surname such as
HARRIES/HARRIS/HARRISS. Note that before 1800 spellings often changed as
people moved around so many people with different spellings of HARRIS,
HARRISS, HARRIES, etc may be related.
Take a look at the URL and decide for yourself. At minimum you should do the
37 marker test which, as well as seeing if you are related to any of the
existing families, will indicate whether your DNA is Anglo-saxon, Celtic,
Norse Viking, etc. As
most HARRISes originated from France/Britain/Spain most will be anglo-saxon
but you never know, you may well be more exotic.
The project is of particular interest to HARRISes in Wales as one of the
original Norman HARRIS families is thought to orginate there (see the
Wikipedia link). There may well be descendants of this family still in Wales
to this very day.
Best Wishes and please let other HARRISes know about this project.
Thanks:-)