Yes, according to geneticists, every person on Earth is at least a fiftieth cousin to everyone else.
How is this possible?
This idea stems from the concept of pedigree collapse.
- What is Pedigree Collapse? In simple terms, it means that as you trace your family tree back through many generations, the number of your unique ancestors doesn't keep growing exponentially. Instead, some of the same ancestors appear multiple times in your family tree, because your parents and their ancestors are related to each other.
- Inevitability: Family researchers might not see this collapse for several generations, but it will definitely emerge as you explore older ancestral lines.
Relationship Levels
| Relationship Level | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Fiftieth Cousin | A distant familial connection where you share a common ancestor several generations back. |
Key Factors
- Human History: Human populations have moved and mixed throughout history.
- Limited Population: At some points in human history, the global population was considerably smaller, increasing the chances of related individuals marrying and having children.
Practical Implications
- While being a fiftieth cousin means you are related to everyone on earth, the level of shared DNA is incredibly minimal.
- It does highlight the interconnectedness of humanity and the fact that we all share a common ancestry.
