I remember hearing in the news in the last 18 months that research was reported on in this area (<Grin> West Virginia was cited as their "virtual lab" for the research). They found that intermarriage had no or at worst, limited effect . A double dose of healthy genes were still healthy, but if "bad" genes were in that line, intermarriage made it worse. I, for one find so many examples of double second cousins marrying, that I can't see that being much different from first cousins, genetically speaking. What I refer to is the former Miss Smith and her husband, Mr. Jones' grandson, marrying the granddaughter resulting from the marriage of a sibling of Miss Smith's marriage to a sibling of Mr. Jones. The joke Judy E. and I make is that our families believed in recycling long before it became popular, (especially our DICKENS, MASSEY, WEBB, WILLS and those LAFFERTY's that I may NEVER get straight! <Great Big Grin>) No offense to anyone who feels a sensitivity in this area, while I don't. :< :< :< :< :< :< :< :< :< :< :< :< :< :< :< :< :< :< :< :< :< :< :< :< :< Find out what you really are.........and then do it on purpose. Carol J. J. in Beavercreek, Ohio gnjcjjz@cfanet.com