Posted on 11/20/2002 4:45:36 PM PST by blam
Wednesday, 20 November, 2002, 13:16 GMT
Elephant man's descendant found
Joseph Merrick and Pat Selby will share similar genes
Experts have traced a descendant of the the "Elephant Man" Joseph Merrick who could help determine what caused his disfigurements. A television research team called in the help of geneologists in Leicestershire to trace people related to Merrick, who was once exhibited as a circus freak in the 19th Century.
Following a BBC appeal, Pat Selby, from Leicester, contacted her local family history society.
Now the research team will take DNA samples from her and, using the latest genetic techniques, try to diagnose what condition caused his deformities.
I get from reading about him that he was a very nice man
Pat Selby, Merrick's descendant
Merrick, who was born in Leicester, became famous because of his appearance during the late 19th Century.
His tragic early life and subsequent rescue by the surgeon Sir Frederick Treves formed the basis of director David Lynch's film, The Elephant Man.
Interesting tale
Mrs Selby said: "I'm quite interested in it now - I got a book out of the library.
"I get from reading about him that he was a very nice man."
Peter Cousins helped to trace the family line
Peter Cousins, from the Leicestershire and Rutland Family History Society, said: "We are still researching because it is such an interesting story.
"There are some very nice facts coming out."
Mrs Selby is the granddaughter of George and Catherine Potterton who lived in Syston in 1901. Mr Potterton was Merrick's uncle.
DNA proof
It is not known what Merrick suffered from to cause such disfigurements but there are different theories, the strongest being that he suffered from Proteus Syndrome.
The condition was first identified in 1979 and can include partial gigantism and the development of benign growths in an organ or bones.
Many of the conditions that could have caused the disfigurements can now be determined by DNA testing.
The New Zealand-based research team is making a programme for the Discovery Channel and will use Mrs Selby's DNA to try and identify exactly what he suffered from.
Someone told me It's all happening at the zoo. I do believe it, I do believe it's true. It's a light and tumble journey From the East Side to the park; Just a fine and fancy ramble To the zoo. But you can take the crosstown bus If it's raining or it's cold, And the animals will love it If you do. Somethin' tells me It's all happening at the zoo. The monkeys stand for honesty, Giraffes are insincere, And the elephants are kindly but They're dumb.
I do believe it
I do believe it's true...
Looks like she got the cute(r) gene.
Living in the city I've been abused (He has)
Jobs I keep and people I meet
They don't do more than make me amused
Everywhere I turn now, just more bad news
So don't look now and don't ask how
Gonna find me a way to the animal zoo
Oh no, something went wrong
Well you're much too fat and a little too long
Hey hey, got too much to lose
Got to get on back to the animal zooLooking at my body, I'm slipin down (So far)
The air I breathe and the water I drink
Is selling me short and turning me around
Everyone I see now, on their way too (Everybody)
So don't look now and don't ask how
Gonna find a way home to the animal zoo
Oh no, something went wrong
Well you're much too fat and a little too long
Hey hey, got too much to lose
Got to get on home to the animal zoo
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Their American Cousin?
Becki
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