19th century family saga re-told by DNA recovered from postcard stamps. (January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Haas, Cordula; Körner, Christian; Sulzer, Andrea; Kratzer, Adelgunde
• Is Part Of: Forensic science international. Volume 330(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-01
• Subjects: Forensic genetics -- aDNA -- Kinship -- Autosomal STRs -- Y-chromosomal STRs -- Postage stamps; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Forensic -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine légale -- Périodiques; Chimie légale -- Périodiques; Gerechtelijke geneeskunde; Gerechtelijke chemie; Gerechtelijke psychiatrie; Chemistry, Forensic; Medical jurisprudence; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.111129
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0379-0738

Abstract

Abstract: Old postcards with stamps might help unravelling historical family stories and relationships. By employing ancient DNA recovered from world war I postage stamps, we disprove a family saga of an illegitimate child born in 1887. We developed a protocol to collect DNA from saliva, trapped and protected on the backside of postage stamps glued on postcards. With replicate STR analyses we were able to assemble almost full autosomal and Y-STR profiles of three male, deceased family members. The illegitimate child turned out to be a legitimate child of a later married couple. Highlights: With help of molecular genetics we disclosed a secret and rewrote a family saga. We successfully analyzed ancient DNA recovered from world war I postage stamps. We developed a protocol to collect DNA from saliva trapped under postage stamps. Almost complete autosomal and Y-STR profiles could be recovered.