Indeed, it’s a small, small world after all.
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Two families started out as total strangers last Friday only to discover they had more than an interest in genealogy in common: they had genes in common.
The Stallings of Portland, Ore., and the Scotts of Lombard, Ill., were in the area and decided to stop by the Daviess County Library to do some research in the genealogy department. The families were both looking up data on the Scotts. They struck up a conversation and began sharing information. It wasn’t long before their mutual interest led them to discover that their lineage traced back to common roots. In fact, they were fifth cousins.
“We were really surprised,” said the Stallings. “Gallatin seemed like an unlikely spot to meet anybody.”
According to Matthew Scott, some of his family moved to northwest Missouri from cental Illinois in 1855. He is descended from the Scotts that stayed in Illinois.
The two families shared collected copies and recommended library books and agreed to send information they had at home to one another. Pictured are Matthew Scott of Lombard, Ill., and Pat Stallings of Portland, Ore. [Submitted Photo]