The Whittaker family of West Virginia became an internet sensation after their unique lifestyle and family history were brought to light by photographer Mark Laita. Their story, often described as that of “America’s most inbred family,” has captivated and concerned viewers worldwide, prompting questions about their lineage and the circumstances that led to their isolation. Through Laita’s documentaries, the complex Whitaker Family Tree has been revealed, painting a picture of choices made by their ancestors that resulted in significant genetic challenges for subsequent generations.
The Whittaker family’s patriarch and matriarch, descendants of intertwined lines, were double first cousins, contributing to the family’s genetic complexities.
Laita’s initial encounter with the Whittakers occurred in 2004, and he later revisited them in 2020 to further document their lives. His work aimed to explore their daily routines, family history, and the underlying factors contributing to their situation. A key aspect of his documentation was uncovering the intricate Whitaker family tree, which revealed the extent of consanguinity within their lineage. This inbreeding is understood to be the primary cause of the various disabilities and communication difficulties experienced by some family members, with some communicating through grunts and others facing learning and physical challenges.
The narrative of the Whittaker family’s inbreeding stretches back generations, focusing on siblings Loraine, Timmy, and Ray, along with their cousin Freddie. These individuals are central to understanding the more recent branches of the family tree. Their parents were reportedly double first cousins, a relationship that significantly increases the risk of genetic abnormalities in offspring. While initial reports suggested the parents were brother and sister, this information has been corrected by later research, clarifying the precise nature of their familial connection. The siblings also have a sister, who has remained outside of the public eye and was not encountered by Laita during his visits. Importantly, many members of the Whittaker family have children who are not inbred and live independently, away from the family homestead in Odd, West Virginia.
Communication varies within the Whittaker family, with some members using grunts while others cope with learning disabilities and physical health issues.
The origins of inbreeding within the Whittaker family remain somewhat unclear, but its impact is well-documented by Laita in his YouTube docuseries and his book “Created Equal.” His work highlights the struggles faced by the family, including limited access to education and the challenges of sustaining themselves on their farm. Despite their isolation, the Whittakers are reportedly protected by their neighbors, who are wary of outsiders coming to gawk or ridicule them. Laita himself described his initial encounter as chaotic and unsettling, recounting instances of family members with misaligned eyes and unusual behaviors. His arrival in Odd, West Virginia, was initially met with hostility from a neighbor concerned for the family’s privacy, requiring Laita to explain his intentions before being allowed to proceed. On subsequent visits, he was even provided with a police escort, indicative of the community’s protectiveness and the family’s increasing notoriety.
Delving deeper into the Whitaker family tree reveals a history rooted in twin brothers, Henry and John Whittaker. Their descendants intermarried, creating a lineage where cousins married cousins. Henry and John’s children, Harry and Sally, had seven children, one of whom was John Isom Whittaker, born in 1882. John Isom Whittaker further solidified the family’s inbred line by marrying his first cousin, Ada Rigg. This union produced nine children, including Gracie Irene Whittaker, born in 1920. Gracie Irene Whittaker then married her double cousin, John Emory Whittaker, in 1935. Their marriage resulted in 15 children, many of whom have suffered from significant physical and mental impairments directly linked to the extensive inbreeding within their family tree.
Adding to the Whittaker family’s complex narrative is a recent scandal involving Larry Whittaker’s daughter, BJ. She admitted to fabricating her father’s death in a fundraising scam, seeking money for a nonexistent funeral. BJ confessed to Mark Laita in a video, citing a drug addiction as a motivating factor behind her deceitful actions. This incident has sparked public outrage and further highlighted the difficult circumstances surrounding the Whittaker family and their community.
The Whittaker family’s story is inextricably linked to the broader context of McDowell County, West Virginia. Once a prosperous coal mining region, the area has experienced severe economic decline, marked by population decrease and social challenges. The struggles of the Whittaker family, amplified by their history of inbreeding and recent scandals, serve as a stark reminder of the economic and social hardships facing isolated communities in America. Their family tree, a roadmap of intertwined lineages, is not just a genealogical curiosity but a symbol of the complex interplay between family history, genetics, and socioeconomic factors in rural America.
