Don, Thank you for a very explicit description of what pitfalls exist in the use of DNA to prove a match in lineage. It makes me wonder now, how close the DNA finding in detective and forensic works are on which paternity and identity are established in matters of law. For myself, I am more convinced that the paternity is proven more by the circumstances that surround the issue, and, are fueled by the deliberate attempt by TJ and close family members to keep the relationship out of the public light for their own reasons. Even so, certain actions taken by TJ, such as freeing the minor children presumed to be his sons by Hemings, that clearly point to a greater likelihood that he was the father of these boys rather than just "some member of the Jefferson family". Far greater instances of historic accuracy have been attached with less evidence of authenticity. Written reports by "observers" are far more suspicious. Anne Anne Pemberton [log in to unmask] http://www.erols.com/apembert http://www.educationalsynthesis.org ______________________________________ To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html