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Mutations and Genealogy — Hello, Goldens!
Our knowledge of DNA and what it means for us in the sense of family history is growing VERY rapidly.
One of the ways we use DNA for genealogy is to track genetic mutations across time, which form a pattern, and then to match people according to the pattern.
The words ‘genetic mutation‘ scares some people.
Reality: our DNA is always mutating. You can now custom order your kids by artificially mutating their (your inherited DNA). But let’s not go there — let’s stay focused on our genealogic past.
Our DNA is not randomly ordered. Our present DNA is defined by our past and our DNA (mtDNA / yDNA) can be considered a form of barcode that documents thousands of years of changes.
Genetic mutations tell us things. Within my own family, it appears that Golden males that moved to Georgia from South Carolina between 1800-1830 experienced a genetic mutation from their South Carolina cousins that moved to Tennessee and on to Alabama. Why? Not sure … not yet. One theory is that Georgia suffered horribly from water-borne illnesses spread by mosquitoes. Some records show that the death rate was much higher in Georgia than in other locales — and these deaths are attributable in large part due to mosquitoes and water-borne illness. Perhaps our Goldens developed some tolerance.
Mutations can be both bad and good. Sometimes good comes from bad — as one generation survives the bad and passes along the ability to deal with a recurrence of bad.
Some genetic mutations work to our benefit.
The overwhelming majority of our Goldens have H1 or H3 mothers if their lines came from Ireland, the UK or northwestern Europe.
— Some of you may have maternal H3g lines. We don’t know why, but H3g, but not H3f or H3i or the other H3’s, are highly resistant to the AIDS virus.
— Remember the Black Plague when it hit London? No, probably not. But science does. It appears that a significant number of survivors in the London area had or experienced a genetic mutation that helped protect them, which has been passed along to their children via DNA.
Below is some interesting research on genetic mutations for our mothers and maternal lines that are ‘H1’ or ‘H3’ and how their genetic mutations tell a story and place them in time in our history and prehistory.
About H1 and H3 mothers: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1182122/
Genetic Mutations that you should want: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4791022/
The Black Death genetic mutation that may protect some today from AIDS: http://www.nature.com/news/2005/050307/full/news050307-15.html
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Generation One of Genetically Modified Children – Graduated High School 2014
They already walk among us, the first generation graduated from high school in 2014. DNA modification, which modifies inherited DNA as well, has advanced significantly since this first generation came into being.
You are welcome to add to or to correct this story by contacting: Bill Golden, Norfolk1956@gmail.com
BTW – I look forward to sharing your stories, photos and in-search-of quests. Contact me at the email address above.