Nel, You have 16 gg-grandparents, and they contribute approximately equally to your genetic make-up. That is, one is about as likely as another to contribute genes related to arthritis. The Beaty of this group could be the one, but he may have received from his mother. There is not much chance of such a gene being widespread in L-2. --Earl L-13 ----- Original Message ----- From: <TAROCKLEIN@aol.com> To: <BP2000-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2004 8:56 AM Subject: Re: [BP2000] William H. Beaty, Civil War TN mother Jane > I remember that my father was going on crutches and a stick the first I knew > anything about him. He had rheumatism and was a cripple before the war > The death certificate for my GGF Pleasant Alexander Beaty (b. 15 July 1852 - > d. 11 Apr 1928) listed "Chronic Rheumatism" as a contributing factor to his > death. Wonder if Rheumatoid Arthritis is an inherited condition in L2? Just a > thought. > > Nel L2 >