Tristan : Hanky-Panky Allegations Refuted by Chief Islander
Submitted by Tristan Times (Juanita Brock) 29.12.2004 (Current Article)

In defence of her Island’s ancestry, Chief Islander, Anne Green has refuted an article entitled “Ancestry Research Exposes Hanky Panky,” which appeared on December 5th in the South African newspaper the Johannesburg Sunday Times, and written by Shantini Naidoo.

HANKY PANKY ALLEGATIONS REFUTED BY CHIEF ISLANDER

By J. Brock (SARTMA-TdC)

In defence of her Island’s ancestry, Chief Islander, Anne Green has refuted an article entitled “Ancestry Research Exposes Hanky Panky,” which appeared on December 5th in the South African newspaper the Johannesburg Sunday Times, and written by Shantini Naidoo.  The article quotes findings by Professor Himla Soodyall of the National Health Laboratory Service in conjunction with the University of the Witwatersrand and the South African Medical Research Council.

“I can't remember a Professor Soodyall coming to Tristan but it was a long time ago,” she said in a recent e-mail from Tristan da Cunha.  “However when Islanders do participate in a medical study they would hope that any findings would be sent to Tristan and personal information not be published on the web,” she continued.  And, she added, “this is the sort of thing will make people reluctant to take part in any further studies in the future.”

“As to the genetic information, anyone who knows Tristan history will know that many people settled on Tristan for short periods of time during its early history, and while their surnames are no longer here some of their descendants are. Not everything has been documented and some of that which has been is not entirely accurate,” she said.

“I feel that I have said all I need to in the last letter I published on the Tristan Times Website. No doubt there will be more people who would wish to sensationalise some information they think they have about Tristan, but we won't let that get to us.  I have received many e-mails from people supporting my views on the last letter published. [Two were from Pitcairn Island].   I'm glad to know that there are like minded people out there who share our views,” she commented.

“I would like to thank all those who sent messages in response to my article. It is encouraging to have the support of so many people.

All best wishes for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from myself and my family, and all on Tristan.”