The relationships of a family described as the most “inbred” in America were explained in complex and insightful ways.

The nickname “America’s most inbred family” is attributed to the Whittaker family of West Virginia, whose complex history has resulted in genetic mutations and disabilities among its members.

Many family members still live on a farm in West Virginia. (YouTube/Soft White Underbelly)

The family members aroused the curiosity of filmmaker Mark Laita, who released a documentary about them on YouTube in July 2020.

As part of his research, Laita spoke to his grandchildren Brandon and Luis about what it was like growing up in their family and also gained insight into the inbreeding that existed at that time.

Laita revealed a complex family tree that stretches back decades, beginning with identical twin brothers Henry and John Whittaker.

Each of the brothers had children, but the family tree reveals that these children married each other and had seven children of their own, including John Isom Whittaker, who was born in 1882.

John Isom then married his first cousin, Ada Rigg, and together they had nine children of their own.

The Whittaker family had health problems due to inbreeding. (YouTube/Soft White Underbelly)

One of their children was Gracie Irene Whittaker, born in 1920, who married John Emory Whittaker, even though he was her second cousin – cousins ​​who, by virtue of two common ancestors, have the same degree of blood relationship as half-siblings.

Gracie and John Emory had 15 children, but as inbreeding became apparent, health problems began to arise and the children suffered severe physical and mental disabilities.

Some family members cannot use words or sign language and instead communicate through grunts and barks.

Many family members also have children who are not the result of inbreeding and lead their own lives away from the farm where many family members still live.

In an interview with Laita, Brandon described how he was raised by his aunt for the first seven years of his life after his mother moved away.

Brandon has children of his own and expressed his fears that they would grow up in the same environment as the rest of his family.

“I’m worried about them (growing up here),” he said. “That’s one of my biggest concerns. Honestly, I don’t think I’ll be here much longer. I’m working on finding an apartment. As soon as I save enough, I’ll probably move out of here. There’s really nothing for me here other than them (the Whittakers).”