Several postings have been made here about the Black Dutch and their origins. I am trying to remember where I heard the following. I may have the details wrong, but that is only evidence of my memory, not of the basic methodology.
DNA studies have been made of people who seem to have a valid claim to being Black Dutch. The results confirm some earlier ideas, but, in addition, add a new, unexpected element. They have their origins as a mixture of Caucasian, Black, and Indian blood. The unexpected element was that a trace of Turkish women was also found. How this could have come about is totally unexplained.
Though DNA work is in its infancy, it is still capable of answering many questions. More should be done with DNA. Eventually, it will probably be an alternative to other methods of proof for the patriotic societies, such as the DAR.
With some of the more common Germanna names such as Cook and Hoffman/Huffman, it is very difficult to prove a line. Given that there are proven lines, one can compare to these to see if there is a match. For example, there are Huffmans who are unattached though perhaps with a modicum of evidence who would like to answer the question of whether they came from the Germanna Hofmanns. I should think that DNA testing would be useful.
There are two obstacles to DNA testing. One is the cost, though, in comparison to what one spends on subscriptions, books, and research, it is not that bad.
The other obstacle is the fear of what might be disproved. The testing companies require, I understand, that every person who is tested sign a waiver of their rights. Or stated in another way, the proposal that every baby be tested for a match to the mother's husband was rejected. The reason? There are too many cases were the true father is not the apparent father. This says a lot about genealogy as a subject for study.
(11 Dec 03)
We gratefully acknowledge the work of John Blankenbaker who published over 2,500 Germanna History Notes via the Germanna-L@rootsweb.com email list from 1997 to 2008. We are equally thankful to George Durman (Sgt. George) for hosting the list and republishing the notes via rootsweb.com.