Extraordinary Ancestors
In January 2000, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation released a Research Report on Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings. Prepared by a staff committee headed by Dianne Swann-Wright, the report was the result of four months of meetings, readings, and discussions.
The Research Report concluded that the DNA study conducted by Dr. Eugene Foster was scientifically 
valid and “conducted in a manner that meets the standards of the scientific community.” Further, this DNA study, when combined with currently available documentary and statistical evidence, indicates the “high probability” that Thomas Jefferson was the father of Eston Hemings, and that he was “most likely” the father of all of Sally Hemings’s children appearing in Jefferson’s records.
Dr. Daniel P. Jordan, President of Monticello, accepted the staff report and, after presenting it to the public on January 26, stated that “this is a milestone for us.” The press and public greeted the report with reactions ranging from satisfaction to dismay and outrage. Interest in the research findings could be measured by activity on the Monticello web site after the release of the report. The site received 3.3 million “hits” (from 63,000 people) in the first ten days, and nearly ten thousand copies of the Research Report were downloaded in the first two weeks.
Dr. Jordan said, “We hope people will look at our report in the context of our long-lasting commitment to interpreting African-American life at Monticello.” In that light, he formed a new committee to draft a plan to incorporate the conclusions of the report into Monticello’s training, interpretation, and publications.
The Monticello web site provides access to the Research Report and related material, a biography of Sally Hemings, and information about her children.
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