What 13 million lives can reveal about our shared human history

Cultures · Published 13 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Genealogist Yaniv Erlich explores how a massive, crowdsourced family tree provides a window into the past and a roadmap for the future.

By analyzing a database of 13 million people spanning over 500 years, Erlich identifies significant patterns in human behavior. This massive genealogical project uncovers insights ranging from historical patterns in romantic relationships and health to the resolution of decades-old criminal investigations.

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