HOw would I find out if I have any Romani(Gypsy) ancestry? When did these people come to Europe?

Question

HOw would I find out if I have any Romani(Gypsy) ancestry? When did these people come to Europe?

Answer 1

Do you feel a compulsion to litter the countryside with white goods?

Do you defacate without a convenience in sight?

Answering yes to these questions and more - makes you a bona fide gippo.

Answer 2

They left India it is thought after 1000 ce.  A few records show them in the Byzantine empire around the 9th century.  A lot of people back then thought they came from Egypt and is how the name Gypsy came about.  

After they got to Europe they just kept spreading out.

Answer 3

I guess you would have to have your DNA tested.

Unless you have info on one of your ancesters and a name then you can go here

http://www.distantcousin.com/SurnameReso...

Answer 4

i'm in the same boat as you- however one thing is diffrent -  my great grandma's last name was Romany and i cant find anything on her and to make things interesting- 90% of the people in my family are very dark complextion (olive tones) with black hair and blue eyes-- not common for Iowa!

Answer 5

do you have a longing to live in a caravan. fight with anyone and everyone, keep a horse or steal anything that isn't nailed down, if the answer is yes then you probably have gypsy blood