Reconstructing the Genome of an 18th century immigrant to Iceland of African ancestry.

Ever since the Human genome was sequenced in 2003, genetic sequencing technology has advanced at a remarkable rate. The evolution of DNA technology has made it possible for genealogists, archaeologists and historians to look at the past in a way deemed impossible prior to the discovery of the DNA molecule. Now, we can read  genes inherited from our ancestors and find unknown cousins by spitting in test tubes and submitting DNA samples to commercial DNA company giants like AncestryDNA, 23andme and FamilyTreeDNA.

The field of ancient DNA makes it possible to partially reconstruct the genomes of ancient humans and see how similar they are genetically to living people. The falling prices of full genomic sequencing enables genealogists, scientists and anthropologists to find answers to questions that would have never been answered 30 years ago.
It is now possible to reconstruct the genomes of ancestors who died over 200 years without analyzing human remains by looking at the genes of living descendants.  The unique story of Hans Jonathan is a remarkable example of how using the tools of science can rewrite and recover lost histories.
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/01/hans-jonatan-iceland-genome-reconstructed/550667/

Grandson of Hans Jonathan with his family in Iceland

Happy hunting!


RS