All researchers in family history and other kinds of history and in the
humanities generally constantly contend with the problem of interpreting
and drawing conclusions from incomplete evidence or evidence that can be
interpreted more than one way.

Herb Barger is correct that the DNA evidence respecting Thomas Jefferson
and Sally Hemings does not prove Jefferson's paternity. There are many
other factors to consider, such as who else shared with Jefferson the
supposedly critical DNA markers; who else had access to the Heming's
dwelling; who among the possible fathers can be shown to have been in
the correct vicinity eight or nine months before the known or presumed
births of her children.

No one bit of scientific or circumstantial evidence is conclusive. To
some students, some of the scientific evidence combined with some of the
circumstantial evidence is completely persuasive. To some other
students, it is not.

Va-Roots is a good place to discuss how to interpret evidence.

Brent Tarter
The Library of Virginia
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