Hi Anita:  You are correct on both points.  Jane.

-----Original Message-----
>From: Anita Wills <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Oct 20, 2008 5:31 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: [VA-HIST] New Presidential Descendant Claimant
>
>A DNA test can only prove a direct descent, along maternal (for females), and paternal lines (for males), although males can also be tested for Mitochondrial (female) DNA. The problem may be in finding a relative who is on that straight line. When I had my DNA test taken, it was through my straight maternal line. There are others in the family who have taken tests (my brother for paternal/maternal) to prove direct descendancy. I don't know if that is the issue, but if so one way to resolve it is to find a relative on that direct line.
>
>I saw a story many years ago about a lady who stated she was a direct descendant of James Madison. 
>
>Anita  
>
>> Date: Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:46:16 -0400
>> From: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: New Presidential Descendant Claimant
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> 
>> Today's Richmond Times Dispatch had an article about a Massachusetts  
>> pediatrician who claims via oral history to be descended from James  
>> Madison's father and from James Madison. Difficulties in getting  
>> genetic testing done and by whom, etc. are preventing forward motion  
>> at the moment.
>> 
>> The Washington Post's Jonathan Mummolo wrote the article and in it was  
>> a paragraph: "Despite genetic evidence that has linked Hemmings' line  
>> to Jefferson's family, and documentary evidence that historians say  
>> points to Jefferson as the father, there are still some who deny the  
>> link."
>> 
>> The first part about linking SH's line to Jefferson's family is true  
>> via DNA. The second part about documentary evidence is highly  
>> contested and cannot be ascertained with certainty. The third part  
>> goes completely off the rails by tarring those who might deny that TJ  
>> was the father.
>> 
>> Of such things is disinformation promulgated. The first step is to  
>> make a statement that is true. Then you warp it one degree as the  
>> second part did, and then the third part is introduced as the new  
>> "truth" and we're off to the Goebbels finals with a flourish.
>> 
>> Let the fireworks begin.
>> 
>> Lyle Browning 
>> 
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Lillian Jane Steele

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