[ChicagoHebrew]

Even the term "10 Lost Tribes" is ridiculously ignorant. Of the 12 Tribes, Judah, Benjamin & Shimon were part of the Southern Kingdom and Levi was scattered all over, including partially in the south. So only 8 tribes were "lost" (and even then, individual members of all tribes almost certainly made it to the south). The term 10 Lost Tribes originally meant not that the entire tribe was lost, but that the members of the tribes lost their tribal identity (hence Judah, Benjamin & Shimon became just "Jews," after the largest tribe -- Judah, while Levi maintains an independent tribal identity to this day).

Even among the 8 Lost Tribes, their fate is decidedly unsexy. Large numbers became the Samaritans, others became the Kurdish and Bukharian Jews (who have traditions of being from the so-called Lost Tribes), and most just assimilated.

The Ethiopian Jews almost certainly descend from a mix of Jews and early Jewish converts. The so-called Bnei Menashe have no genetic or historical connection to Israel (and had no tradition of being so until 50 years ago), but are of course welcome to convert.

[Ancesthntr]

So only 8 tribes were "lost" (and even then, individual members of all tribes almost certainly made it to the south).

While I largely agree with your post, this part is a bit problematic. I used to believe this to be the case, though more recently I've been told by knowledgable people that there was such antipathy between Judah and Israel that there were, effectively, no refugees that were allowed to cross the border going south. I'm not sure if I really believe that, but I could see it being true (look at the antipathy between North and South, and it was of a much shorter duration).

[ladyL]

As it appears you have some knowledge of the tribes perhaps you might be interested in Yair Davidy and his research on these tribes. He is an orthodox Jew, living in Jerusalem, and has published much material on the tribes.

He traces many of the Israelites through the Northwest into the British Isles. Reviews about his scholarship is that he is an impeccable researcher and considered an expert in this arena.

His website is www.britam.org

Blessings
from an old West side Chgo girl now living in the sun baked South :)