To mark the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn this month, researchers have discovered the genetic codes passed down the generations from the warriors who fought on the blood-soaked fields of 1314. The Genealogical Studies Postgraduate Programme within the University of Strathclyde is currently running the Bannockburn Family History Project, exploring and revealing the genetic connections between Scotland’s medieval warriors and their modern day descendants.

By studying documents, archives and records, student researchers have traced the family trees of several Bannockburn warriors (see www.strath.ac.uk for a list), which led to the discovery of several male descendants. Graham Holton, Principal Tutor with the programme explained that these modern-day descendants of Bannockburn’s warriors were happy to undergo DNA testing, supported by Family Tree DNA, which enabled the researchers to pinpoint the genetic code each had inherited from their warrior ancestor.

Having identified the same genetic code in the men’s DNA, others without a specific genealogical link to Scotland’s Bannockburn warriors will be able to discover if their forebears also fought at the history-changing conflict, said Graham Holton.

This cutting edge combination of genealogy, history and science underpins all the work of the programme. In this case, by using family trees, historical research and DNA testing, we have brought to life a fascinating range of connections to present day descendants of Bannockburn’s brave soldiers.

The key findings of the research will be on display at the Battle of Bannockburn Family History Project Exhibition at the new Bannockburn Visitor Centre, from 21 June until 2 August.

The exhibition features cameo profiles of selected Bannockburn warriors, including names, coats of arms, family trees and DNA results. Visitors to the exhibition can see where their own backgrounds and histories fit into the different families – and we strongly suspect this will enable some visitors to the exhibition to discover, confirm, or begin to explore a link to the Battle of Bannockburn, Mr Holton continued.

In addition, Haydn Rees of research service MacDonald and Rees, revealed that in-depth family history research has been carried out on those families confirmed by the DNA testing as having a direct connection to warriors who fought at Bannockburn. This enabled our authors to write the unique stories of these people – stories which will be presented at the Battle of Bannockburn Family History Exhibition,  he said.

The Battle of Bannockburn Family History Project exhibition is at TheGenealogist