After my three children were born deaf, we discovered
through genetic counseling that my wife and I are both
carriers of a recessive gene causing deafness. We
were told that there was genetic evidence that we both
had an ancestor with the gene as dominant (who would
have been deaf) somewhere in our ancestries, although
it may have remained recessive (and virtually dormant)
for centuries. It is possible that we both acquired
the gene from a common ancestor. This is what caused
me to become interested in genealogy over twenty years
ago. Since that time we've traced many lines back
centures but found no direct ancestor who was deaf.
We both have roots in the Osnabr�ck-Diepholz-Minden
area, and if it is a common ancestor from centuries
ago they probably near in this area.
Has anyone encountered hereditary deafness either
within their ancestry from the Hannover area or
discovered a village or area where it is common?
I realize that this is a strange genealogical
question, but it underscores how much our ancestors
are literally a part of us.
Thanks,
Larry