TED Talks Daily How we’re building the world’s largest family tree | Yaniv Erlich
Sep 25, 2019
Yaniv Erlich, a pioneering computational geneticist, has helped construct the world's largest family tree, connecting 13 million individuals over 500 years. He reveals captivating patterns about love lives and health through genealogy. The conversation dives into how crowdsourced databases validate genealogical data using DNA analysis and unveil migration patterns. Erlich also discusses the groundbreaking application of family trees in criminal investigations, shedding light on cases like the Golden State Killer, and highlights the emotional significance of understanding ancestry.
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Hamilton's Hollywood Connection
- Alexander Hamilton, the first U.S. Secretary of Treasury, is related to Kevin Bacon.
- Both descend from a 13th-century Scottish woman, showcasing unexpected connections within the family tree.
Data Accuracy in Genealogy
- Data quality is crucial for genealogical research. Validating data revealed a small percentage of errors, highlighting the accuracy of documented family histories.
Migration and Love
- The industrial revolution significantly changed migration patterns for families. Modern transportation and social media further increased migration distances for finding partners.