More or Less: Behind the Stats Maths and the Mayflower
Jun 26, 2021
The podcast dives into the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower voyage, a pivotal event in U.S. history. It reveals how millions today can trace their lineage to the original 102 passengers. The discussion includes the harsh realities faced during the voyage and the surprising mathematics behind descendant relationships. The concept of pedigree collapse is explored, showing how interconnected modern families are to historical figures. A lighthearted twist concludes with a quirky estimate linking Mayflower descendants to the number pi.
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Harsh Realities of the Mayflower Voyage
- Only about 37 of the 102 Mayflower passengers were Pilgrims fleeing persecution. - The journey was harsh, with cramped and unsanitary conditions leading to sickness and some deaths.
Devastating First Winter After Arrival
- The Mayflower passengers faced a brutal first winter in America, with only 53 surviving. - The extreme mortality included only five surviving adult women, making descendant claims striking.
Rob Eastaway's Mayflower Family Connection
- Rob Eastaway's wife shares a surname with Mayflower settler Miles Standish, sparking family curiosity about their lineage. - He explores Richard Warren's descendants to explain the rapid population growth mathematically.
