NYDUTCHE-L Archives

Archiver > NYDUTCHE > 2002-02 > 1012922797


From: Sharilyn Whitaker <>
Subject: Re: [NYDUTCHE] Re: Genetic testing in genealogy?
Date: Tue, 05 Feb 2002 07:41:04 -0800
References: <173.31c4b46.2990efa7@aol.com>




The way this DNA based genealogy works is very interesting and
complex. What they are doing now at BYU is taking samples from
people who have a four generation, supposedly well documented,
STANDARD genealogy. Thus they can attach specific genetic
information with specific ancestral individuals.

If a known and documented line of descendants from a specific
ancestor is known, then THEIR DNA can provide information, when
compared with your own, as to whether or not you also are
related to this same ancestor.

They are also gathering DNA samples from all over the world, so
that they can tell you, geographically, where your ancestors
were from.

So to prove an individual was descended from Daniel Boone, (or
had any male ancestor in common) they would examine the DNA from
known and documented descendants of Daniel Boone, and compare
the sample of the individual to that of the known descendant to
determine the genetic similarity. They would not dig up Daniel
Boone's body.

In order to prove the relationship of Thomas Jefferson to the
children of Sally Hemings, the DNA of known Jefferson
descendants was compared to the DNA of the Hemings descendants.
Here is an excellent site that explains what they did in that
case:

http://www.people.virginia.edu/~rjh9u/tomsally.html

Of course if they do happen to have a DNA sample from a long
dead individual, they can use that, as they have done in
determining the complex family inter-relationships of some of
the Egyptian pharaohs and their family members.

Here is an interesting site (click on complete story) that
explains "Genetic Genealogy"

http://www.msnbc.com/news/generoots_front.asp

Also, check out "Daughters of Eve"...any search engine should
get you to something about it. Fascinating stuff!

Sharilyn







wrote:
>
> I'm wondering about something about something that I've not seen mentioned in
> any of the articles and letters, etc., that I've read about genetic test as
> it concerns genealogy: If, for example, I wanted to get genetic proof that I
> really am descended from Joseph the Miller SMITH, who was b ca 1595, how
> would these scientists and labs come up with some DNA against which to test
> my DNA?? Would they go try to find where the body of Joseph is buried??
> How, after so many years could they be absolutely positive that, no matter
> what the gravestone has engraved on it, assuming that there's still one after
> more than 400 years, that the body in that hole really is/was Joseph Smith??
>
> Or say I'd wanted to find out if I was descended from Daniel Boone, (a
> popular personage in this neck of the woods). (I'm not descended from him.)
> His wife, Rachel, died before Daniel, and was buried in a local cemetery.
>
> Later, when Daniel died, he was to be buried in the same cemetery, but when
> they went to dig a grave for the body of Daniel next to Rachel's, they found
> that space already occupied. I think it was the body of a favored slave who
> had been buried there. Not wanting to disturb and move this body, they
> simply dug a different grave for Rebecca, at the feet of Daniel.
>
> Sometime later, the State of Kentucky, who had never paid Boone a dime for
> all his exploring, services, etc., decided, in their wisdom, that since he'd
> been born in Kentucky,that Daniel's body should be brought back to Kentucky
> for burial there. A large disagreement ensued, and eventually some folks
> from Kentucky, without permission, took it upon themselves to sneak out to
> the cemetery, and dig up what they assumed was the body of Daniel, and
> proceeded to take it back to KY, where it was reburied, and I guess is now
> pointed out to the tourists.
>
> Several years after this body-napping, another long-time worker or slave,
> also very dear to the family, was on his deathbed. While talking to a member
> of the family or a friend (I forget exactly who it was), he's said to have
> chuckled, and said, "They never did get ol' Dan'l", and then explained about
> the placement of Rachel's grave.
>
> SO, how could anyone be proven to be a direct descendant of Daniel Boone's??
>
> And we all know how few of the really old gravestones in cemeteries, even in
> this country, which is so much younger than the countried from which our
> ancestors came, are either missing, defaced, unreadable. HOW is the original
> DNA of the ancestor obtained??
>
> If I rememeber correctly, the burial spots of all of the Pilgrims is unknown
> except for one. Well, like many other people, I'm descended from three of
> the Mayflower passengers...but could I prove that by DNA testing??
>
> Sorry...stuff like that bothers me! I'm nosy, and I ask too many questions,
> but I do like to know how things work!
>
> ==== NYDUTCHE Mailing List ====
> This list is currently being administrated by D. Joshua Taylor
> For help contact him at
>
> ==============================
> To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to:
> http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237

This thread: