Recent DNA Findings Uncover Hidden Family Scandal in Jamestown Colony

In a groundbreaking discovery, recent DNA analysis has unveiled a long-buried family secret from the Jamestown colony, revealing scandalous details about the lineage of its first governor, Thomas West.

The findings, published in the journal Antiquity, provide a dramatic new layer to the history of one of America’s earliest settlements.

Researchers at the Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation have analyzed ancient human remains discovered in unmarked graves beneath a church from 1608.

The study revealed that Captain William West, one of the men buried in these graves, was an illegitimate son of Thomas West’s aunt, Elizabeth. This revelation contradicts the previously recorded family history, which had omitted these details.

The analysis of the skeletons’ DNA showed a shared maternal lineage between Captain West and Sir Ferdinando Wenman, another individual buried in the church.

This discovery led researchers to historical documents, including a court case from 1616, which confirmed that Captain West was indeed Elizabeth’s son. The hidden nature of his birth had been deliberately erased from the West family’s genealogical records, possibly pushing him to seek a new life in the American colony.

The research team, led by Kari Bruwelheid and Dr. Éadaoin Harney, found that despite the degradation of the DNA over centuries, the mitochondrial haplogroup analysis was sufficient to establish a familial connection. This unexpected twist highlights the role of genetic data in uncovering historical truths that were once concealed.

This revelation not only sheds light on the personal histories of Jamestown’s early settlers but also underscores how modern science can unveil complex narratives from the past.

As Dr. Christine Lee of the University of Mississippi notes, these findings offer valuable insights into how individuals navigated and challenged societal norms in their time.

Michael Lavin, director of collections and conservation at the Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation, reflects on the impact of this discovery: “The ability to reveal these secrets more than 400 years later is a testament to the power of historical and scientific inquiry.”