Regarding Morgan Berry

Northwestern Europe

Northwestern Europe has a deep and complex history that stretches back to prehistoric times. The region, composed of modern-day countries like Ireland, the United Kingdom, and parts of Northern Europe, has seen waves of migration, conquest, and cultural shifts. The Celts were among the earliest identifiable groups to dominate this area, particularly in Ireland, Wales, and parts of Britain. By the time of Roman expansion, Celtic tribes like the Britons and Gaels were well-established, each with their own cultural practices, languages, and territorial domains. Over the centuries, the region experienced invasions by the Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, and Normans, each leaving a profound cultural impact.

In Ireland, which constitutes 17% of your ancestry, Celtic heritage runs deep, particularly with the Gaelic-speaking peoples. The island’s culture was insulated from much of Roman occupation and later developed distinct cultural markers like the Gaelic language and Brehon law. Meanwhile, the English (17%) and Welsh (2%) share a more intertwined history, marked by Roman occupation, the rise of Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, and subsequent Viking raids. By the time of the Norman invasion of 1066, these regions began to consolidate into the early forms of the modern United Kingdom. The 3% United Kingdom Unspecified reflects this blending of identities over centuries.

Northern Europe Unspecified (8%) covers regions that, while not pinpointed, likely include the northern Germanic and Scandinavian peoples, with strong Viking and Anglo-Saxon influence extending from Denmark, Norway, and other parts of Scandinavia. These groups left a lasting mark on British history through migration and raids, blending with existing populations.

Cultural Groups

Celtic Parisi (Yorkshire region, influenced by Celtic and Roman cultures)

Gael (Predominantly in Ireland and Scotland)

Celtic Briton (Pre-Roman inhabitants of Britain)

Viking Danish (Raiding and settling along the English coast)

Anglo-Saxon (Early medieval settlers in England)

Pict (Indigenous people of northern Scotland)

Celtic Dobunni (Western Britain, pre-Roman Celtic tribe)

Celtic Cantiaci (South-Eastern Britain, early Celtic tribe)

---

Scandinavian

The Scandinavian region, including Norway (8%), Sweden (1%), and Denmark (1%), has a storied history of seafaring, exploration, and conquest. Scandinavians were among the last of the European groups to be Christianized, maintaining their pagan traditions and beliefs well into the Middle Ages. The Viking Age, which began around the 8th century, is perhaps the most well-known period of Scandinavian history. During this time, the Norsemen (Vikings) from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark embarked on long-range raids, trading missions, and settlement expeditions throughout Europe, the British Isles, Iceland, Greenland, and even North America.

Norway’s (8%) rugged landscapes fostered a culture of seafaring, independence, and exploration. Norwegian Vikings were particularly famous for founding settlements in Iceland, Greenland, and briefly in North America (Vinland). The modern-day Norwegian identity was strongly shaped by the Viking Age and subsequent periods of Danish and Swedish rule.

Sweden (1%) was also central to Viking activity, particularly in the eastward expansion into what is now Russia and Ukraine. Known as the Rus, Swedish Vikings established trade routes with the Byzantine Empire and even served as elite guards for the Byzantine emperors. Meanwhile, Denmark (1%) was a major power in the Viking Age, with Danish Vikings playing a crucial role in raids on England and the establishment of the Danelaw—a region of England under Viking control. The Danes also controlled territories in Norway and Sweden at various times, making them central to the consolidation of Scandinavian identity.

Cultural Groups

Viking (Seafaring Norsemen from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark)

Norse (The broader cultural identity of the people of Scandinavia, encompassing both the Viking Age and pre-Christian periods)

Danelaw (The part of England under Danish control during the Viking Age)

Rus (Swedish Vikings who settled in modern-day Russia and Ukraine)

Norse Pagan Tribes (Pre-Christian groups with rich mythologies, including belief in gods like Odin, Thor, and Freyja)

Scandinavian Sami (Indigenous people of the northern parts of Scandinavia)

Goths (Originally from Scandinavia, they later migrated into Eastern Europe)

---

Germanic and Eastern Europe

This region, comprising Germanic and Eastern European cultures, has a rich and dynamic history dating back thousands of years. The French (1%) and Germanic (8%) elements of your ancestry reflect the ancient tribal regions that were largely influenced by the expansion of the Roman Empire, the Germanic migrations, and the later formation of the Holy Roman Empire. Tribes such as the Franks and Alemanni dominated these areas in the early medieval period. The Germanic tribes are known for their powerful kingdoms, such as the Frankish Empire under Charlemagne, which laid the foundations for modern Western Europe.

The Southern Slavic component (8%) and Eastern European Unspecific (1%) reflect the vast movement of Slavic peoples across Eastern Europe during the early medieval period. Southern Slavs, like the Serbs, Croats, and Bulgarians, settled in the Balkan Peninsula, while the Eastern Slavs moved into areas that now encompass modern-day Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. The Southern Slavs in particular have a rich cultural history, shaped by interactions with the Byzantine Empire, Ottoman rule, and later Austro-Hungarian influence.

Cultural Groups

Frank (Ancient Germanic tribe, central to early medieval France and Germany)

Visigoth (Western branch of the Gothic tribes that settled in Spain and France)

Ostrogoth (Eastern branch of the Goths, settled in Italy and Eastern Europe)

Marcomanni (Germanic tribe along the Roman frontier)

Cherusci (Germanic tribe known for defeating the Romans in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest)

Quadi (Germanic people who lived along the Danube)

Gepids (Eastern Germanic tribe that settled in the Carpathian Basin)

Slavs (A broad ethnic group that settled across Eastern Europe, including Southern and Eastern Slavs)

---

Southern Europe

Southern Europe, particularly the regions of Italy and the Iberian Peninsula, has played a pivotal role in shaping Western civilization. Your Southern European ancestry is mainly derived from Southern Italy (11%), the Alpine regions (1%), unspecified Italian heritage (2%), and the Iberian Peninsula (6%). These areas have been cultural melting pots since antiquity, hosting civilizations like the Etruscans, Romans, and later influences from the Greeks, Phoenicians, and various Germanic tribes.

Southern Italy’s (11%) history is closely tied to the Roman Empire, with cities like Naples and Palermo serving as critical centers of trade and culture. Post-Roman times saw Southern Italy influenced by various rulers, including the Byzantine Empire, Norman invaders, and later the Kingdom of Sicily. These influences created a diverse cultural and genetic tapestry, which is still seen in the population today.

The Tirolean Alpine (1%) area, nestled between Italy, Austria, and Switzerland, was historically inhabited by Celtic tribes like the Raeti before falling under Roman rule. The rugged geography has helped preserve unique local traditions, languages, and cultures. This mountainous region has seen varying influences from Germanic peoples, particularly the Bavarians, as well as strong Austrian and Italian cultural exchanges over centuries.

The Iberian Peninsula (6%) is home to the Spanish and Portuguese, as well as the Basques (1%), who are one of Europe’s oldest ethnic groups. Iberia was influenced by a mix of Celtic, Roman, Visigothic, and Moorish cultures. The Islamic Caliphates had a strong presence here for nearly 800 years, significantly impacting the region's architecture, language, and traditions. Even today, the legacy of this multicultural past shapes Iberian identity.

Cultural Groups

Etruscan (Pre-Roman civilization of ancient Italy)

Italic Tribes (Indigenous peoples of the Italian peninsula, including the Latins, Samnites, and others)

Roman (The dominant empire of the ancient Mediterranean world)

Basque (An ancient indigenous group of Northern Spain and Southern France, with unique language and customs)

Visigoth (A Germanic tribe that ruled parts of Iberia and Southern France)

Phoenician (Ancient maritime traders who established colonies in Southern Spain and Sicily)

Vandal (A Germanic tribe that settled in Iberia before moving to North Africa)

Greek (Greek colonists founded cities along Southern Italy and Sicily)

Norman (Viking descendants who ruled Southern Italy and Sicily during the Middle Ages)

---

Other/Nomadic

This category reflects a diverse mix of cultural heritages that include Indigenous American (1%), Roma (2%), and Jewish (1%) ancestries. These groups have historically been migratory or marginalized, often living on the fringes of dominant societies, yet they have contributed rich cultural traditions and unique histories.

Indigenous American (1%)

Refers to the original peoples of the Americas, with diverse tribes and cultures that stretch back thousands of years before European colonization. These groups include the vast civilizations of Central and South America, such as the Maya, Inca, and Aztec, as well as the numerous tribal societies in North America like the Algonquin, Iroquois, and Sioux. European colonization drastically impacted Indigenous populations, leading to displacement, cultural erasure, and a loss of land. However, Indigenous cultures have persisted and revived in recent centuries, retaining strong connections to their heritage and land.

Cultural Groups

Algonquin (A large Native American group spread across the northeastern U.S. and Canada)

Iroquois (A confederation of Native American tribes in the northeastern U.S.)

Sioux (A Native American tribe from the Great Plains)

Maya (An ancient civilization known for its pyramids, mathematics, and astronomy in Central America)

Inca (A South American empire stretching across modern-day Peru, Ecuador, and parts of Chile)

Roma (2%)

Often called Romani or Gypsies (a term considered pejorative), are a nomadic ethnic group that originated in the Indian subcontinent over a thousand years ago. They migrated through the Middle East into Europe during the Middle Ages, and their diaspora now spans much of the world. Historically, Roma faced significant persecution across Europe, being marginalized, forced into slavery, and discriminated against. Despite this, they have maintained their cultural identity through music, storytelling, and other traditional practices. The Roma community remains one of Europe's most distinct cultural groups, with vibrant traditions of craftsmanship, music, and dance.

Cultural Groups

Romani Kalderash (A subgroup of the Roma, known for their traditional metalwork and craftsmanship)

Lom (A subgroup of the Romani people living mainly in the Caucasus)

Jewish (1%)

Jewish ancestry reflects a rich and ancient history. Jewish communities have existed for thousands of years, tracing their origins to the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah in the Middle East. After the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE, Jewish people dispersed in what is known as the Jewish Diaspora, spreading across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Despite facing persecution, pogroms, and the Holocaust in the 20th century, Jewish communities have contributed enormously to global culture, religion, and history. Jewish cultural traditions include a strong focus on education, community, and religious practices, such as the observance of holidays like Passover and Hanukkah.

Cultural Groups

Ashkenazi Jews (Jewish communities historically centered in Central and Eastern Europe)

Sephardic Jews (Jewish communities from the Iberian Peninsula, later expelled and settled across the Mediterranean)