Complicated ancestry of America's 'most inbred family' who speak in 'barks and grunts'

Photographer Mark Latia has chosen to forgive the Whittaker family after being lied to in a money-grabbing hoax - as social media users praise him for 'not giving up on them'

They're one of the most well-known families in America - and they've stolen hearts worldwide thanks to their outlook on life. The Whittaker family, who live in the village of Odd, 75 miles from Charleston, West Virginia, have a complicated history with inbreeding, leaving some family members to live with devastating genetic defects.

While some go out to work to earn a living, others can reportedly only communicate through 'grunts and barks' and have to rely on others to support their physical and financial needs. Photographer Mark Latia has been visiting with the Whittakers for around 20 years, sharing the reality of their situation to generate money to help them improve their lives.

When he first met them in 2004, the Whittakers lived in poverty in a shack-like house surrounded by broken furniture and piles of rubbish. However, their living situation has been slowly improving since then thanks to Mark's ongoing support - and thanks to his followers on his YouTube channel Soft White Underbelly.

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He had previously set up a GoFundMe page to buy the family a new house and would send them money from his own pocket when he'd receive calls for extra help. But after learning he was being lied to in a money-grabbing hoax, he put an end to all of this. In a recent video, however, he shared how he has decided to forgive them, saying he is an 'understanding' person.

Jason and The Whittaker family tree?
byu/VirtualAd3179 inSoftWhiteUnderbelly

The Whittakers' inbreeding started with a set of identical twin brothers, Henry and John, whose children got married and went on to have children together. Henry and his wife Sally had seven children together, including John Isom Whittaker, who was born in 1882. John fell in love with Ada Rigg, his first cousin, and went on to have nine children with her, including their daughter Gracie Irene Whittaker in 1920.

When Gracie grew up, she married her double cousin, John Emory Whittaker, in 1935, whom she shared both sets of grandparents with, and went on to have 15 children. Tragically, many of their children were born with severe physical and mental impairments, believed to have been a result of inbreeding.

Their eldest child, Aileen, passed away in June 1997 after suffering from a heart attack, while their oldest son, Emery, died a month after being born in 1938 after suffering from pneumonia. Today, their 10th child, Betty, who was born in 1952, has become the head of the family after promising her mother she would not marry so she could look after her 14 siblings.

In a past visit, Mark asked Betty about their parents but she wouldn't say if her parents were related - but she later confirmed her mum and dad are double first cousins. Her siblings, Ray and Lorene, were both seemingly unable to communicate through words - instead, they reportedly used grunts, barks, and movements to express themselves. However, they seemed to understand what photographer Mark was asking without any difficulty.

It was revealed that Lorene's son, Timmy, was born in 1979 after she suffered abuse. The now 35-year-old was the only member of the Whittaker family who graduated from high school. When attending school, he used a fake name to protect his identity.

According to Mark's YouTube videos, Betty lives alongside her siblings Ray and Lorene as well as her nephews Timmy. However, other family members - such as her cousins, nieces, and other nephews, are seen popping in to visit from time to time. The family is protected by their neighbours who do not take kindly to strangers turning up at their door, with an angry neighbour even threatening Mark when he first showed up to visit them.

Commenting on his recent video, one user said: "Thank you Mark and crew for letting us come along on your visit. I have checked back often for updates on this family. Blessings from Oklahoma to you and this family." Another user added: "Mark, don't give up on the Whittakers. They love and miss you. My heart goes out to them so much. They need good people." A third user said: "I’m so happy we are seeing them again. Such a special relationship you have with them." One more user said: "Thank you so much Mark for forgiving the Whittakers, I have genuinely missed them. You are a genuinely great human being."

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