Was Frances Randall of Aboriginal descent?

Question

Good morning Wikitreers!

I was hoping to seek some support from the brains trust here. I have developed quite a detailed profile regarding Frances Randall. To my mind, it is very comprehensive and well-sourced, yet there still seem to be strong doubts about this profile made not only by other genealogists in the family but also by academics about her descent. I was wondering if anyone would be happy to have a read of the profile and suggest any improvements that would improve its veracity.

Much appreciated in advance

Answer 1

Based on the well documented and detailed information you’ve provided, the answer is no.

I was reading the whole thing thinking no, but that mtDNA would be the clincher, and then you had mtDNA results.

You’re missing some words in the mtDNA statement though, I was confused at first. I think you meant to say “been the daughter of Mary Butler “

I don’t see why the weak evidence she was indigenous would trump the mtDNA evidence for other researchers. It would only be stronger if you had multiple pieces of mtDNA evidence.

Comments

Thanks for the confirmation, Mark. There seems to be a rebuttal making several claims

1/ DNA testing is inherently non-Indigenous and incompatible with "other than human" epistemologies.

2/ Consumer DNA testing kits are not scientific or reliable

3/ DNA test samples that are used to analyse the ancestry of distant common relatives are a breach of privacy

4/ The only viable way of demonstrating descent from an ancestor is for the individual in question to take the test; this means that DNA testing should not be used as it breaches an individual's human rights.

5/ Research conducted by amateur genealogists is not valid.

6/ Oral history should be prioritised over factual records if they are incomplete.

I think there are a few more, but you might get the picture. I guess there is no pleasing some people.

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Wow! Clearly you really can’t please some people.

I have a cousin that confirmed their maternal indigenous Ancestry via mtDNA so that’s number one debunked.

Not sure privacy negates truth, that’s a weird one.

Number four is technically correct, but the balance of probabilities is in your favour.

Number five is special pleading.

Wow again.