I don't understand

[UmaKilledWilliam]

AIBU not to understand why British travellers (not even sure if they are called that) are considered Romany or Gypsies? I don't think they are genetically. They look definitely very British to me with light complexions and often blonde hair. They speak proper English like British people. Do they speak Romany?
Can anybody claim to be a gypsy now just because they live in a caravan and not rooted in one place? How does it work? I always assumed you had to be a genetically genuine bona fide gypsy from Spain or Eastern Europe to be called one. I feel like British gypsies are fake. AIBU?

Irish travellers

That's it lurking
But they are not just in Ireland. That's confusing too.

Pretty sure Irish travellers aren't considered Romany. I think people were commenting about romany on the other thread because they didn't realise op meant Irish traveller.

Heritage is important to them. Wherever they end up. That's why they're usually Irish or Romany

Well neither are a lot of Irish or other people. But they'll bring their culture over and be travellers here instead.

You can't use genetics.

All my family have had their DNA analysed, with surprising results, as the TV show, proves.

There is a shared Culture amongst some groups of Travellers and there is distinct Irish Travellers.

The argument always has been as to why we respect all other Cultures from far away places and make adjustments, but for a long time Irish Travellers were treated appallingly.

They aren’t the same. Romany gypsies are a protected minority, Irish travellers are not. The few Romany gypsies a long time ago looked no different to most of the Indians in my school. The language felt similar too, like I should be able to understand it but not quite. Like Punjabi to Gujarati or Urdu. Anyway never met any since so couldn’t really ask about the culture.

Birdsgottafly do you mean your family have been proven to be gypsies or that they haven't?

if by British Gypsies you mean Irish Travellers, then no they are not fake. It is believed that their community has existed for over 200 years and maybe as much as 400. It is a distinct community with protected ethnic status. I tend to view it as two completely separate groups from opposite ends of Europe. My area has very strong links to the Irish Traveller community and I grew up knowing Travellers. The terms I am more familiar with hearing is Tinkies and Pikeys which are awful derogatory words, Gypsy was not a term I heard much. I refer to the members of this community as Travellers.

They haven't.

My youngest DD was mainly Irish, so was my Half Sister, which was astonishing because she looks like a fully Black Woman (her Dad was from Barbados). My eldest, who could be Irish descent, pale skin etc (my DH was), had the most Native American (our background) than any of us. You can't tell by appearances.

"Romany gypsies are a protected minority, Irish travellers are not. "

Yes they are protected under the Equality Act. Some can also legitimately be Economic Migrants.

So do Irish travellers differ genetically from ordinary, non-traveller Irish people?

Bump

This might help a bit

www.irishtimes.com/news/science/travellers-as-genetically-different-from-settled-irish-as-spanish-1.2969515?mode=amp

I grew up next to settled travellers. They were an entirely separate community, different values and institutions. They marry within very often. I can't profess to know a lot about them other than that in my experience they weren't integrated and had their own 'world' so to speak.

Thank you foodiefil