Born in Washington State in the 1960's I grew up as a military brat living in Washington, Texas, Oregon, North Dakota and Virginia until landing in Yamhill, Oregon in 1979. Graduated from Y-C High School in 1985. Attended University of Puget Sound for two years and Portland State University (B.A. Political Science) for four years. I slaved away at Fred Meyer for 8 years as a P.I.C. and assistant manager during and shortly after college and then quit to screw around as a whitewater guide for a year before grad school. The one year has stretched into 17 and I am now one of the owners of Ouzel Outfitters. When not dominated by rafting my life revolves around The Strain - Bend's best hard rock band.
Links
Ouzel Outfitters - Oregon Rafting
Brian on Facebook
The Strain - Rock 'n Roll!
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| Celebrating Scottish Heritage |
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| On The River |
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| Winter Solo Trip |
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LINKS
Migration Map
National Geographic Genographic Project
Sikes/Sykes Families Association
| Thanks to the Sykes DNA project and National Geographic's Genographic project it is now clear that my branch of the Sykes family is most certainly descended from wonder-bread-variety Celtic/European stock. Y-chromosone analysis also confirms that I am indeed my father's son.
The story of my post-african ancestors began some 45,000 years ago as a group of hunter/gatherers followed expanding grasslands and plentiful game out of northern Africa into the Middle East. Continuing to follow game, they moved east into present day Iran encountering the large mountain ranges of Central Asia. By 35,000 years ago they had moved north across these ranges onto the game-rich grasslands of Central Asia. After 30,000 years ago these people migrated westward into present day Eruope.
This is as far as National Geographic's Genographic program tracked my DNA results. The Sykes DNA project, however, analyzed a far great number of alleles on the Y-Chromosone (of my father) which allowed for geographically placing ancestors in a more recent timeframe. Eventually my ancestors (at some point you would be able to call them Celts) most likely ended up in Ireland. By the time surnames were in use after 700 years ago, my direct ancestors had landed in the Yorkshire/Cumberland area of England. "Sykes" is a place-related name which means stream or creek or boundary ditch. I guess that means we were the people that lived by the ditch. Comparative Y-Chromosone analysis indicates that my branch of the Sykes family is the most common branch of Sykes' with surname origins in northern England.
My specific geneological trail picks up some 360 years ago with the arrival of Richard Sikes in Massachussets. 45,000 years on the trail from Africa to the new world and eleven generations later, here I am. There's a song in there somewhere.
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The $9 Mic Project is a demonstration of what a music bonehead can do with a little technology. On second thought, perhaps it's what a music bonehead can't do - even with technology. You be the judge. The $9 generic computer microphone was purchased at Fred Meyer in Newport, Oregon and is manufactured in China. The laptop is an Accer Aspire 1800. The software used is Cakewalk Music Creator 1.0. The acoustic guitar is a cheap Oscar Schmidt made by Washburn and purchased in Lewiston, Idaho (This guitar is the famous "Lady Lew"). The electric guitar is a Mexican Stratocaster purchased in Portland.
Go to the Project
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