Nottingham: the genetics of an urban population

Abstract

Nearly one thousand blood donor specimens from the county of Nottinghamshire were typed for seven different blood group systems. Demographic information was also gathered for each subject. The historical background and population development of the area was investigated and it was found useful to divide the county into three distinct geographical areas :- city, conurbation and the remaining area, and into three distinct types of residence pattern :- pit, rural and urban. These distinctions were also applied to the places of birth of the entire sample and to the birthplaces of the donors' parents and grandparents. Comparisons were made both within and between the different Nottinghamshire subsaraples. Gene frequency results indicated that the whole of Nottinghamshire formed a homogeneous unit genetically, although there was some heterogeneity amongst the vertical structuring of occupational groupings. Further comparisons were made at a national level comparing the Nottinghamshire data with those from other areas in the United Kingdom.