What is a pedigree collapse in Genealogy?
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| A Pedigree Collapse?! |
In genealogy we often run into problems with building
our direct lineage trees. One issue often seen in colonial times until after
the civil war period many researchers will have what is called a pedigree collapse
within the tree. A collapse can be explained when one discovers a descendant
from multiple family members that have common ancestors. Intermarriages (cousins
marrying cousins or Uncles/Aunts marrying nieces/nephews) were commonplace
during the early social history of America and in other areas around the world.
When the selection of a martial partner offered limited choices from the
population within riding or walking distance more than likely, kinfolk living
near was an option. Therefore, those of us tracing our families and those of
others often find a collapse in the tree.
Photo Source: waitbutwhy.com
One such collapse is represented here
within the Weaks & Kimbell families of Western Tennessee and Kentucky.
Washington Lee Weaks was born September 1825 in
Stewart County, TN. Washington died May 1880 in Hickman County, Kentucky. His
parents were William Carroll Weaks Sr. (1760-1848) of Hertford, Perquimans,
North Carolina and Mary R Weatherford (1760-1848).
Washington Lee Weaks married Dorcus Brunson (b. 1829
Stewart County, TN) 22 Oct 1845 in Stewart County, TN. 8 Children were born,
two of which I descend.
· **William Finis Weaks b. 1848 d. 1938 in
Obion County, TN.
· **Elizabeth Bell Weaks (married James
Benjamin Kimbell) b. 1862 d. 1917 in Fulton County, KY
Both of these siblings are my 3rd Great
Grandparents. William Finis’ daughter Alva Rilla married the son of his sister
Elizabeth Bell Weaks & James Benjamin Kimbell who was Richard Washington
Kimbell. (1st cousins).
William Finis Weaks owned farmland in Fulton and
Hickman Counties in Kentucky as well as Obion County, TN, where he lived most
of his adult life and raised a large family.
William Finis Weaks
Photo Source: Ben Woodson Family Collection
Alva Rilla Weaks Kimbell
Photo Source: Ben Woodson Family Collection