All genealogists share a common trait -- perhaps we are linked by a common
gene! That trait, of course, is curiosity. We like to learn about our heritage,
perhaps to be able to understand ourselves better or perhaps fathom why our
relatives are so weird. The reward for our diligence is knowledge, facts about
our ancestors to be shared with others in our family or passed on to future
generations. Fortunately for the genealogist, satisfying curiosity becomes ever
easier with the proliferation of computer-based databases and websites such as
this one, being continually expanded by NEHGS.
Several years ago the
Society made a decision to explore the relationships between genetics and
genealogy and to pass on information that might be of value and interest to
Society members. The Society has undertaken many ambitious projects during this
brief period. At the same time, one cannot read the newspapers or watch
television without appreciating that we are being deluged with information about
DNA and the applications of its research. The fallout from this new information
has had wide repercussions in the area of criminal law, and it is literally
revolutionizing the practice of medicine. It has created the new industry of
genomics. We live in an exciting era!
Ralph Crandall feels that the
Internet is the proper medium for this subject, as we can discuss breaking news
or emerging concepts in a timely manner. And we promise to make every effort to
keep things as simple and clear as possible. There is another goal -- this
effort should be INTERACTIVE. We need input from our readers -- questions when
they have questions and answers when they have answers. All of us could benefit
by sharing our experiences with the ever-expanding applications of DNA in
genealogy.
Before plunging into Lake Ligand, however, we feel it is
important to see how we came to the shore. It has been a long slow journey, but
it helps us appreciate how dramatically our horizons are expanding at the
present time. After all, it was as recently as 1733 that Alexander Pope wrote:
"Know then thyself, presume not
God to scan;
the proper study of mankind is man."
One cannot study man without soon coming to the realization that man and his
environment are intimately entwined. Although we tend to think of man as being
unique in many ways, genetic research (as we will see later) has made us realize
how much we share with the fauna and flora around us.
While various
religious beliefs strongly influenced attitudes towards human inheritance, there
was slowly emerging evidence centuries ago that plants and animals could evolve
with new traits, and by selective breeding, acquire traits which were considered
more acceptable or desirable. In the western hemisphere, wild maize was
cultivated and better food for humans created. Elsewhere, wolves were generally
domesticated into dogs, wild boars into swine. Date-palms were cross-pollinated
along the banks of the Nile.
13,000 Pea Plants Can't Be
Wrong
In the nineteenth century a monk was having considerable difficulty
adjusting to monastic life. He was ill at ease dealing with people, even his
fellow monks, and eventually they left him to himself, tending his little garden
within the monastery walls. He spent eight years growing peas, which couldn't
have been very exciting, but then he counted the peas -- over 13,000 of
them, which probably would have qualified him for the funny farm if he hadn't
come up with a new wrinkle.
Quite a few wrinkles, in fact. Brother Mendel
found he had discovered the secret of producing smooth or wrinkled peas. Mendel
gave a talk on his findings to the local scientific society in 1865 and then had
a paper published in a recognized journal. It was received with such enthusiasm
that is was reviewed and acclaimed by three European botanists -- 34 years
later. It was the foundation of modern genetics.