Ancestry Research Exposes Hanky-Panky

An article in the Johannesburg Sunday Times illustrates just how accurate DNA research can be when applied to genealogy. The island of Tristan da Cunha lies some 2800 km off the African coast. The inhabitants of the island share only seven surnames, and each of these can be traced to the original male founders. The island, which boasts rich and detailed historical and genealogical records, has a population of just 300, believed to have descended from 15 ancestors - seven men and eight women who arrived on the island between 1816 and 1908.

The island's founders all originated from Scotland, England, Holland, the US, and Italy. At least, that is what the genealogy records claim. However, DNA analysis of many of the island's records indicates that one more, previously undocumented male ancestor came from Eastern Europe.

Researchers behind the study stumbled upon the existence of a "traveling stranger's" DNA while tracing the island's DNA and genealogy records. The undocumented appearance of an unknown DNA is euphemistically referred to as a "non paternity event" by DNA researchers.

The genetic study conducted by Professor Himla Soodyall and colleagues at the National Health Laboratory Service, in conjunction with the University of the Witwatersrand and the South African Medical Research Council, was conducted to test the accuracy of the island's ancestry.

Professor Soodyall stated, "Our genetic material is inherited from our parents, and their parents before, and so on. By examining transmission of genes in living people, we can study the genetic trails of our ancestors back to about 100,000 to 150,000 years ago."

You can read more about this story at http://allafrica.com/stories/200412060710.html

Comments

[Richard Cottrell]

Assuming there was not a sample mixup ( which by the way is a very common occurrence at dna laboratories) of different dna samples:

Just exactly how did these scientist conclude that DNA results proved an individual committed 'Hanky-Panky'?

What if the event was something else?

[Dick Eastman]

The last line of my article says, "You can read more about this story at http://allafrica.com/stories/200412060710.html ."

You can find more details at that address. In short, the researchers found eight different Y-chromosome DNA combinations although island histories and genealogies all claim that there were only seven male ancestors of the island's residents. The island's residents also all have one of seven surnames, each obviously the same as one of the male immigrants.

Also, all the island's histories and genealogies claimed that the seven male ancestors came from Scotland, England, Holland, the US, and Italy. However, the eighth DNA combination was more typical of Eastern European Y-chromosomes.

Locations are obviously not an exact science in DNA research as humans have been relocating for thousands of years. It is possible, although not common, for Eastern European DNA to show up almost anywhere, even on a small island off Africa. However, the Y-chromosome DNA markers are very, very accurate and prove/disprove paternity with great accuracy. The fact that eight distinct Y-chromosome DNA sequences were identified amongst island residents shows that there are more than seven male ancestors, despite the claims of the genealogies and histories.

[Chris Carlson]

I think it's amazing they only found 4 instances of infidelity resulting in a pregancy, and only one extra father, given that it was sea port! Very interesting research.

[Pam Berger]

What the article refers to as hanky panky could as easily have been the result of rape or coercion, not necessarily an extra-marital affair. The woman may have been of sterling moral character. While I know nothing of the culture of this island, certainly we know that women's historical position in most cultures has been such that most sexual assaults were never reported, as the woman might be ostracized, devalued, blamed, beaten, or not believed at all. It may have been better to suffer in silence and let people assume the husband or boyfriend was responsible for any resulting pregnancy. I say this in defense of the the countless and nameless women of history who have suffered this fate with no intention of changing the gene pool, whose infidelity is now being assumed in genealogy.

[Nancy Borman]

Thank you, Pam. It is regrettable that the author decided to spice up the article by referring to "saucy sexcapades" instead of just reporting the facts. The story in itself is interesting, but it was unnecessary to draw conclusions that it was an extramarital affair, which makes a moral judgment about a woman with no evidence whatsoever.

[Richard Cottrell]

Thanks for the reply. I did read all of the article.

The scientists appeared to be more interested in researching the families for an excerpt to be submitted for a tabloid magazine.

You stated:

"However, the Y-chromosome DNA markers are very, very accurate and prove/disprove paternity with great accuracy."

Not exactly. Just recently an article reported that 1 in 3 men have been victims of paternity fraud. That is about 33% out of 100%, and that is not a very, very accurate proving/disproving rate.

Also, Pam, has put forth an excellent reply about what could have occurred other than the famous 'Hanky-Panky' that the scientist concluded DNA revealed for the families.