Welsh or Not?

[NoLongerATeacher]

My grandmother was born in Wales. She was Welsh speaker as were all her siblings. I therefore always thought of my dad as half Welsh and my sister and I as quarter.
Researching our family tree I have found that her parents moved to North Wales from Stevenage - so they were English.
Am I still a quarter Welsh or not really? What do you think? I so want to be 😂 My husband says no!

She was born there. You can claim it.

I always thought my father was English and moved to Wales but his grandparents were actually from Wales initially. My mother's side is Welsh through and through as am I.

Of course, she was born in Wales. What is your husband on about? I can trace all of my grandparents back through Wales through centuries, with the exception of my dad’s dad. His parents were from Bridgwater, but he was born in Wales. So that’s 100%. How could anyone argue any different?

You’re a quarter Welsh and as a representative of our great nation - I claim you!

If you want to support us in rugby though, don’t get too excited just yet… Mind you, we’re playing Italy next weekend and there was an upset on Saturday!

Wheres your husband from?!

That’s so funny as I knew my grandad - on my dad’s side - was from Bridgwater. And I said to my dad: “So are you not entirely Welsh…?” He said: “Excuse me, born and bred in Argoed! And my dad was born here too!”

We’re kind of going to start a ‘Who Do You Think You Are’ for my parents because it’s a bit late for them to get famous and get the BBC to do it for free!

My mum reckons there are minstrels in her past, my dad thinks there are dockers. We know about the miners and the jewellers. Should be fun!

I am Welsh and I would say you can claim your 25% (if we’re talking genetically though I guess no you’re not!)

I bloody love being Welsh. Grab that %

Winning post of the day! Me too !

How is she not genetically related to her Nana?!

Of course you are! She was born in wales and was a fluent Welsh speaker- she was definitely Welsh!

Technically you are a quarter Welsh.
Without more information, I can't say if you are genetically.

I think she would have mentioned if she wasn’t a blood relative to her grandmother…

@Arlanymor , her great-grandparents might have moved to Stevenage from anywhere.

Shirley Bassey is Welsh but genetically half-English and half-Nigerian.

Haha, reminded me of one of my favourite songs....International Velvet...

'Everyday, when I wake up,
I thank the Lord I'm Welsh'

Edited because I realise the point you are making. I think it’s a bit gross, but anyway. Shirley is no less Welsh for having parents born outside the country - dare you to walk up to proud Welsh woman and tell her she is not genetically Welsh. This post was about whether or not someone can claim an element of Welshhood, and she can.

I don't think where you're born or even raised really determines your nationality throughout your life. I know people who have moved to Wales as adults, learned the language, immersed themselves in the culture and now identify as fully Welsh.

Great band. Saw them in Margam park once. Total mudbath

Shirley Basset is Welsh, but she is also half-English and half-Nigerian.
I can't see why you find that 'a bit gross'.

I find your attitude weird.

I saw them in Finsbury Park for Madstock, they were supporting act with Mike Flowers Pop if you remember them? Cerys came on stage and said: “England are playing football right now - who’s supporting.” And there was a cheer. And then she said: “And who doesn’t give a fuck and likes rugby?!” Much louder cheer! She came down to the audience and everything. Love Catalonia.

I don’t find Shirley Bassey gross - where did you get that from? I think it’s gross when you dissect her Welshness down to a molecular level. You knew full well what the OP was asking. And it wasn’t for a DNA analysis. Shirley considers herself Welsh and still respects her heritage, but don’t ever tell her she’s not Welsh, she absolutely is, this country shaped her and she talks about it.

Also attitudes that go down to how Welsh or how not Welsh you are based on DNA stir up racial hatred not just in Wales but further afield. So sometimes it’s nice and also fine to consider Welshness as whether or not people embrace the culture, language and a way of living.

@KimHwn , there's a professor of Welsh and he's not Welsh. I've heard him say it.
Jerry Hunter - Wikipedia

What?! People can be a professor of the Bronze Age and not come from the Bronze Age.

It's only coincidentally to do with race, she just happens to be someone I knew who was most definitely Welsh by birth but her parents weren't.

You are seeing racism where there isn't any.

Iwan Thomas was born in England to Welsh parents. Is he not Welsh genetically?

Argh too late to edit the auto correct - Catatonia! I had tickets to see Gruff Rhys in Solva in January but I was unwell, so gutted.

Now you are going mad off the radar - who mentioned racism? I said she respects her heritage, but fundamentally considers herself Welsh. So she is. You are the one saying she genetically isn’t - as if it matters. It doesn’t. It doesn’t make her less Welsh. The OP asked if she could consider herself Welsh in a quarter way and you insinuated that unless her DNA agreed then no, that’s a crap thing to say, this isn’t CSI Cardiff. She is a quarter Welsh.

I'm not suggesting Shirley Bassey isn't Welsh. She can't be a quarter Welsh because she's Welsh by birth, so 100% Welsh.

I said I don't know enough to say if OP is genetically a quarter Welsh but she is technically a quarter Welsh in that her grandmother was Welsh.

Boris Johnson was born in the USA to British-born parents. Is he British or American?