Pondering the exponential proliferation of my ancestral root system, around the year 1400 I have over two million ancestors (22 generations; so do you). BUT, at this time, when Gothic churches were being built in cities like Haarlem and Amsterdam, the whole of Holland had a population of probably no more than 40 thousand souls.. Of course, the huge numerical discrepancy is explained by frequent occurrence of people marrying (distant) cousins (known as "pedigree collapse"). But here's my question: is it safe to assume that EVERYONE alive in Holland (except those with no kids) around the year 1400 can be counted as an ancestor? #asknostr
#genealogy 