A collection of Banning genealogies from England, the Netherlands and Germany from 1380-2000

This book is currently nearing completion and is expected to be published in 2006. It estimates around 400 pages of Banning genealogical data, families traced in England, the Netherlands and Germany. There were next to no Bannings in other European countries. To date, there are some 125 pages of genealogical data on the English Bannings, over 150 on the Dutch, and German data, which are scarce, are restricted to some 25 pages.

There are numerous photographs of Bannings in these genealogies and stories of their families, several of whom emigrated to North America, Australia and Africa and generally proliferated there, but their original roots were almost all in Europe.

The genealogies vary in length, the earliest dating back to 1380. Numerous Banning descendants around the world have generously provided information and cooperation.

In the Netherlands, there are basically only two Banning families. In England they generated in various counties, and in Germany only two have been found, likely related several centuries ago.

In order to establish genetic links between the various known lines, a simple DNA Surname Project has been instigated, of which the conclusions will also be (anonymously) included in the book. Although the project is ongoing, a genetic identity has so far been proven amongst various Bannings tested (a simple cheek swab).

It appears that the Frisian family members (northern province of
the Netherlands) have a genetic identity to the German line, their
common ancestor having lived before 1650 over 350 years ago. The
other Dutch line, from the northeast of the country recorded from
at least 1580, also has a genetic identity between three lines
and a common ancestor who lived around 1655.

An American Banning, who descended from one John Banning who sailed to the USA from England around 1670 (born around 1650), has proved to have a matching DNA to one of the English lines, and two of the English lines also have a matching DNA, proving that they shared one common ancestor.
Participation and information on the DNA Surname Project can be found on www.dnaheritage.com. Bannings (or related spelling) who now live in other continents in the world can participate and learn if there is a match with known genealogies.

Anyone who wishes to know more of their Banning heritage, and who is willing to provide their genealogical data (should this not yet be known to the researchers), can contact the author at elisabeth@banning.ca. An interesting book on the family history of the Bannings is located at Book of Banning webpage and can be purchased through Heritage - Willow Bend Books.