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“Junk Science”: The problematic Jefferson-Hemings “conception window” statistical analysis
As the Monticello Research Committee conducted its study, former surgeon and volunteer Monticello guide Dr. Ken Wallenborn continued to notice what appeared to be an exercise in searching for evidence to prove Jefferson fathered Sally Hemings’ children.
How Sally Hemings arrived in Paris
In 1782, Jefferson’s wife Martha died, leaving behind three surviving daughters. His wife’s death devastated Jefferson, who swore on her deathbed that he would never remarry. Around this same time, Jefferson was elected by Congress to travel to serve as a Minister to France, however, Jefferson declined. This is the story of how Sally Hemings arrived in Paris contrary to Thomas Jefferson’s wishes.
Scientists Denounced the 1998 Jefferson-Hemings DNA Study, But Historians and Media Paid No Attention
“The genetic findings my collaborators and I reported in the scientific journal Nature do not prove that Thomas Jefferson was the father of one of Sally Hemings’ children. We never made that claim… It is true that men of Randolph Jefferson’s family could have fathered Sally Hemings’ later children.” —Dr. Eugene Foster, the main author of the DNA study