Groundbreaking DNA Analysis Identifies 1.3 Million Living Relatives of Colonial Maryland's Earliest Settlers

Meilan Solly· May 21, 2026 · 2:49 PM UTC ·7 min read · 0 reactions · 0 comments · 39 views

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A recent DNA analysis has identified over 1.3 million living relatives of the earliest settlers of Colonial Maryland. The study, which examined DNA from 49 skeletons in St. Mary's City, also tentatively identified the remains of the colony's second governor. This groundbreaking research highlights the potential of ancient DNA to uncover historical connections without prior knowledge of the individuals involved.

Key facts

▪The study analyzed DNA from 49 skeletons buried in St. Mary's City, Maryland.
▪Researchers compared this DNA with data from over 11.5 million 23andMe users.
▪About 9,000 individuals are likely direct descendants or close relatives of the Maryland colonists.

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Original publisher	Smithsonian Magazine
Canonical URL	https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/groundbreaking-dna-analysis-identifies-13-million-living-relatives-of-colonial-marylands-earliest-settlers-180988778/
Publication time	Thu, 21 May 2026 14:49:03 +0000
Retrieval time	2026-05-21T14:56:11.046Z
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Groundbreaking DNA Analysis Identifies 1.3 Million Living Relatives of Colonial Maryland’s Earliest Settlers Experts compared DNA from 49 skeletons buried in a cemetery in St. Mary’s City to genetic data shared by 11.5 million 23andMe users. They also identified a skeleton that be the remains of the colony’s second governor Meilan Solly | Senior Associate Digital Editor, History May 21, 2026 10:49 a.m. ShareCopy linkEmailSMSFacebookXRedditLinkedInBlueskyPrintAdd as preferred source The exterior of the reconstructed chapel in Historic St. Mary's City, Maryland Maxine Wallace / The Washington Post via Getty Images During the Colonial era, residents of St.

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