THEY were the scourge of the high seas and bloodthirsty buccaneers who terrorised the oceans in search of plunder.

For centuries, the mere mention of the most notorious pirates was enough to send shivers down the spine of the bravest of law-abiding seafarers.

Sir Henry Morgan, Calico Jack Rackham, Anne Bonny, Mary Read, Captain William Kidd and Edward "Blackbeard" Teach were among the most feared - and they are rearing their heads again.

This month, families with those surnames are being invited by English Heritage to discover whether they are descendants of their infamous namesakes.

An event at Whitby Abbey, in North Yorkshire, hopes to uncover family members, undoubtedly leading more mundane and law-abiding lives.

Centuries ago, pirates were outcasts from society whose only loyalty was to themselves.

They sailed under different versions of the Jolly Roger and gave no quarter to those they captured.

But while tales of the murder, torture and cruelty they carried out spread across the continents, other aspects of their lifestyles were probably fictional, experts say.

Stories suggest the most prized pirate assets that they looted included gold and silver pieces, currency, jewellery and precious stones.

But records show actual booty was acquired from looted merchant ships and usually comprised items such as linen, cloth, food, anchors, rope and medical supplies. The cargo sometimes also included rare articles such as spices, sugar, indigo and quinine.

Most pirates were extreme squanderers and rarely accumulated enough treasure to bury.

Because of the uncertainty of their profession, they were usually determined to live for the present.

A great deal more money is believed to have been spent searching for pirate plunder than has ever been uncovered.

Even the popular image of their victims being made to walk the plank is thought to be a myth as there was far too much sport of another kind to be had.

A favourite alternative method of dealing with prisoners was to tie them to the mast and pelt the victim with broken bottles.

During the bank holiday weekend at Whitby Abbey, people who believe they may be descendants, or even just share a name with the most feared pirates, can find out about their roots with the help of genealogists and possibly uncover a hidden past.

The Pirates of Land and Sea event will also offer a flavour of the lawless times when highwaymen and bandits prowled Britain.

Those who share names with one of the six pirates mentioned earlier will get into the show for free on the first day of the three-day event - Saturday, August 25.

Up to three children will be admitted free with eligible adult pirate descendants.

Normal admission will be £5 for adults, £4 concessions and £3 for children. A family ticket is £13.