It was announced back in March 2018 that Oxford Ancestors would be closing down in the summer. Bryan Sykes, the company's founder, announced that he would be leaving Oxford "to live abroad and write more books". It turned out that the reports of the company's demise were premature, and they continued to accept orders for a further two years. However, sadly Bryan Sykes did not get the opportunity to write another book. His health deteriorated and we learnt recently that he passed away on 10th December 2020. An obituary was published in The Guardian and also in the New York Times.
Oxford Ancestors ceased trading on 31st December 2020. The following announcement is currently shown on the company website.
The following is the text of the announcement:
It is with great sadness we announce the death of Professor Bryan Sykes on 10 December 2020.
Bryan was the inspiration for the founding of Oxford Ancestors in 2001 and all the science behind it. His passion for translating the excitement of scientific discovery into enjoyment for all was immeasurable.
In the last few months, Bryan made sure that systems and training were in place within Oxford Ancestors such that the Company could operate in his absence except in cases of unusual results or unusual queries needing his expert interpretation.
Nevertheless Oxford Ancestors will cease trading on 31 December 2020.
All orders placed up to and including this date will be processed as usual.
All samples received up to 31 March 2021 will be analysed and results reported in the usual manner.
Access to the company database will remain open until 30 September 2021.
Communications should use the webform facility accessed through our website here.
Oxford Ancestors, 18 December 2020.
Oxford Ancestors was one of the first two companies to offer genetic genealogy tests direct to the consumer. They launched in May 2000 in the same month as FamilyTreeDNA started their company in the US. Oxford Ancestors specialised in Y-chromosome and mitochondrial DNA testing, building on the publicity generated by Sykes' book The Seven Daughters of Eve. However, the company failed to keep up with the times and, unlike FamilyTreeDNA, who continued to develop their products and now provide advanced tests for genetic genealogists at competitive prices, Oxford Ancestors carried on offering the same low-resolution tests which they sold at highly inflated prices. Nevertheless it is sad to see the demise of one of the pioneering companies. The Seven Daughters of Eve was a popular science book and despite the lack of solid science was an entertaining read and it introduced many people to the world of genetic genealogy.
No comments:
Post a Comment