DNA Doe Project - General Discussion #3

[ntt1]

Can someone explain to me in simple terms what "pedigree collapse" is?

From DDP:

Hardin Co John Doe 2006 - DNA Doe Project Cases

In 2021, the Hardin County Coroner’s Office contacted the DNA Doe Project to request help identifying the man and a biological sample from his remains was sent to the lab for processing. After seven months of complex, specialized laboratory testing, volunteer investigative genetic genealogists began the work to identify the man by analyzing his genetic matches and building his family tree.


“We had some challenges in this case – a bit of pedigree collapse – but we had a great team that came together to overcome them.” said team leader Rhonda Kevorkian. “There were some good clues to follow that brought everything together in just the right way.”


“We had a male DNA match who was also a good sized X-match, and since two males can only match through the X-path on their maternal lines, this was a huge help in this case,” said team leader Tracie Boyle. “Once we had a candidate and could confirm that the X-path lined up, that helped solidify our findings.”

Pretty sure pedigree collapse is related to endogamy within the family tree (pretty common in that particular geographical area).

 

[djanga]

Can someone explain to me in simple terms what "pedigree collapse" is?

From DDP:

Hardin Co John Doe 2006 - DNA Doe Project Cases

In 2021, the Hardin County Coroner’s Office contacted the DNA Doe Project to request help identifying the man and a biological sample from his remains was sent to the lab for processing. After seven months of complex, specialized laboratory testing, volunteer investigative genetic genealogists began the work to identify the man by analyzing his genetic matches and building his family tree.


“We had some challenges in this case – a bit of pedigree collapse – but we had a great team that came together to overcome them.” said team leader Rhonda Kevorkian. “There were some good clues to follow that brought everything together in just the right way.”


“We had a male DNA match who was also a good sized X-match, and since two males can only match through the X-path on their maternal lines, this was a huge help in this case,” said team leader Tracie Boyle. “Once we had a candidate and could confirm that the X-path lined up, that helped solidify our findings.”

Pretty sure pedigree collapse is related to endogamy within the family tree (pretty common in that particular geographical area).

I saw the same in Wikipedia. Somebody added it to the DDP article in wikipedia today is

 

[djanga]

Maybe people who add photos to unidentified wiki can update Dorothy Ricker’s photo.
It is talen from this article

St. Francis cold case solved after more than 25 years

ST. FRANCIS, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The answers family and police in three states sought after for more than 25 years when a woman disappeared in St. Francis are finally known.Dorothy Lynn Ricker's forever 2

www.cbs58.com

Kudos to Victoriarobinson642 for perspective correction

 

[doggybag2355]

Maybe people who add photos to unidentified wiki can update Dorothy Ricker’s photo.
It is talen from this article

St. Francis cold case solved after more than 25 years

ST. FRANCIS, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The answers family and police in three states sought after for more than 25 years when a woman disappeared in St. Francis are finally known.Dorothy Lynn Ricker's forever 2

www.cbs58.com

Kudos to Victoriarobinson642 for perspective correction

I'll look into it after work!

 

[djanga]

New article about Kilgore Jane Doe

Former Kilgore detective rejoins Jane Doe investigation 22 years later

The team is also armed with new technology that will hopefully help bring them closer to solving the case.

www.kltv.com

 

[doggybag2355]

I wonder when they’ll add the Montreal river case to the site

 

[djanga]

NEW IDENTIFICATION: Carson City Jane Doe, Nevada was identified as Joyce Rogers

On March 17, 2015, partially decomposed human remains were found in a shallow grave on Lone Mountain in Carson City. Initial investigation showed they belonged to a woman about 40 to 70 years of age. The Washoe County Medical Examiner’s Office was not able to determine a cause of death.

Investigators partnered with the DNA DOE Project to develop a DNA profile from the remains and looked at genetic genealogy. The remains were identified as Joyce Rogers. Her husband, Edward Barton, a transient living in Fallon, told investigators he buried her on Lone Mountain after she died from an illness. The case has been submitted to the Carson City District Attorney’s Office for review.

Carson City sheriff uses DNA to identify two bodies

The newly identified people are Joyce A. Rogers, who was homeless and about 72 years old when she died, and Ronald V. Hendricks, who was 39 when he disappeared from San Francisco in December 1992.

www.kolotv.com

 

[iamshadow21]

NEW IDENTIFICATION: Carson City Jane Doe, Nevada was identified as Joyce Rogers

On March 17, 2015, partially decomposed human remains were found in a shallow grave on Lone Mountain in Carson City. Initial investigation showed they belonged to a woman about 40 to 70 years of age. The Washoe County Medical Examiner’s Office was not able to determine a cause of death.

Investigators partnered with the DNA DOE Project to develop a DNA profile from the remains and looked at genetic genealogy. The remains were identified as Joyce Rogers. Her husband, Edward Barton, a transient living in Fallon, told investigators he buried her on Lone Mountain after she died from an illness. The case has been submitted to the Carson City District Attorney’s Office for review.

Carson City sheriff uses DNA to identify two bodies

The newly identified people are Joyce A. Rogers, who was homeless and about 72 years old when she died, and Ronald V. Hendricks, who was 39 when he disappeared from San Francisco in December 1992.

www.kolotv.com

NV - NV - Carson City, Lone Mtn, WhtFem 42-71, UP13838, rings, clothes, Sz 7 Asics, adult diaper, Mar'15

http://www.mynews4.com/news/story/Body-discovered-in-shallow-grave-near-Lone/sJWTJKCGzk-EDZMi6bmk2A.cspx Human remains may have been discovered in Carson City -- officials said a hiker stumbled upon bones in a shallow grave that appeared to be suspicious. Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong said...

www.websleuths.com

Sleep well, Joyce.

 

[John/Jane Doe]

https://www.facebook.com/2011009255824516/posts/3387561254835969

 

[djanga]

Joyce’s identification makes me hopeful Vernon County Jane Doe and Nation River Lady were identified as well. The DDP started to work on these cases almost the same time in May 2019, but Joyce profile moved to active research only in June 2020, so it the DDP press release says it took the team 1 year to identify her and probably 1 year and a half till the announcement.

 

[djanga]

The pinned post was not updated since January 9 2023, I wonder if there are any new cases

 

[doggybag2355]

Broadway Phoenix Jane Doe's NamUs is down.

 

[djanga]

Broadway Phoenix Jane Doe's NamUs is down.

Phoenix Police Department is usually fast in making announcements. I like how Detective Stuert Somershoe speaks about every identification, it makes me feel he really takes every case close to heart.

 

[John/Jane Doe]

https://www.facebook.com/2011009255824516/posts/3394821760776585

 

[djanga]

It looks like Woodlawn Cemetery Jane Doe could have been identified, the press conference is scheduled for March 1 at 3 pm EST

 

[iamshadow21]

It looks like Woodland Cemetery Jane Doe could have been identified, the press conference is scheduled for March 1 at 3 pm EST

Woodlawn?

 

[Diavola]

Woodlawn?

From DDP page:

On May 4, 2017, workers digging a waterline during the construction of a gas station and convenience store in Sanford, Maine, discovered partial skeletal remains inside of a collapsed casket. The remains included finger bones, jawbone, teeth and ribs. Because the pelvis was missing, the gender could not be confirmed; however, the remains are believed to be those of a female child. Along with the skeletal remains were portions of a Victorian era casket, including several nickel-plated handles and coffin keys.

Woodlawn Cemetery had previously existed at the location where the remains were discovered. In 1900, some graves were relocated to accommodate the construction of the Emerson School. Over time, the cemetery became overgrown and neglected. By 1931, the town of Sanford decided to relocate all of the remaining graves in order to install a playground for the adjacent elementary school. A newspaper article from 1931 reported that 72 bodies were relocated to Oakdale Cemetery, a municipal cemetery approximately a mile away. City records indicate that all 77 graves known to have existed in Woodlawn Cemetery had been moved.

No foul play is suspected – authorities believe the girl’s coffin was simply overlooked.

 

[djanga]

Sanford officials to unveil latest in mystery of skeletal remains found in 2017

The investigation into the true identity of the Woodlawn Cemetery Jane Doe is complete, according to history teacher Paul Auger.

eu.seacoastonline.com

​

Sanford officials to unveil latest in mystery of skeletal remains found in 2017​

SANFORD, Maine — The investigation into the true identity of the Woodlawn Cemetery Jane Doe is complete, according to Paul Auger, the Sanford High School history teacher who has spent the past six years trying to solve the mystery.​

“I’m glad the city agreed that we wanted to do the right thing and try to find the identity,” Auger said on Monday.
The mystery centers on skeletal remains and coffin parts that a member of a construction crew found in 2017 while the site of the former Emerson School on Main Street was being prepared for the construction of a new Cumberland Farms, which exists there today.

 

[?!?]

" 72 bodies were relocated to Oakdale Cemetery, a municipal cemetery approximately a mile away. City records indicate that all 77 graves known to have existed in Woodlawn Cemetery had been moved. "

Are there more still unmoved?

 

[iamshadow21]

" 72 bodies were relocated to Oakdale Cemetery, a municipal cemetery approximately a mile away. City records indicate that all 77 graves known to have existed in Woodlawn Cemetery had been moved. "

Are there more still unmoved?

Perhaps some weren't moved to Oakdale, but moved by family to be with newer family graves. Some plots may have had markers, but had no remains, ie. those lost at sea, in WW1, or missing presumed dead. Maybe some had cremated remains interred in urns or small caskets, which were moved to specific places for cremated decedents. Or maybe there are a few left unfound, like Woodlawn Jane Doe was. It's really not uncommon for some remains to not be found when a graveyard is repurposed. Old cemeteries weren't mapped out with GPS, and often records are damaged, incomplete, or lost.

MOO