DNA Analysis Unveils Identities of Four More Franklin Expedition Crew Members

The Ill-Fated Franklin Expedition

The mystery of Sir John Franklin's 1845 Arctic expedition to navigate the Northwest Passage has captivated historians for over a century. The two ships, HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, set sail from England on May 19, 1845, with 129 crew members. They were last sighted in July 1845 in Baffin Bay by whaling ships, before disappearing into the icy unknown. It later emerged that the ships became trapped in ice in Victoria Strait near King William Island in September 1846, and all hands were lost. Over the decades, scattered artifacts and remains have been recovered, but only a fraction of the crew have been identified—until now.

Discovering the Remains

Archaeologists have been working tirelessly to piece together the fate of these men. Three graves were found on Beechey Island, marking the deaths of crew members during the first winter (1845–1846). Later, more remains were located on King William Island. Many of these remains have been subjected to DNA analysis in recent years, allowing scientists to match them with living descendants. The latest efforts, detailed in two papers published in the Journal of Archaeological Science and Polar Record, have confirmed the identities of four more crew members.

The Role of DNA in Historical Identification

DNA analysis has revolutionized the study of historic remains. By extracting genetic material from teeth or bones, researchers can compare it with samples from potential relatives. This method has already identified several Franklin expedition members in previous studies. The process is painstaking: samples often degrade in the harsh Arctic environment, and genealogical records must be carefully traced.

Four Newly Identified Crew Members

The four newly identified individuals are among the 105 survivors who, after Franklin's death in June 1847, attempted to trek south under the command of Captain James Fitzjames. The note left by Fitzjames recorded that 105 men were alive at that point, but none made it back. The latest identifications bring the total number of known crew members to eight (including the three from Beechey Island graves). Their names are not disclosed in the widely available summaries, but the research papers provide full details.

Significance for History and Archaeology

Each identification offers a tangible link to the past. It humanizes the tragedy, reminding us that these were individuals with families, backgrounds, and stories. The Franklin expedition remains a key case study in disaster planning, survival, and the limits of 19th-century exploration. The discoveries also validate the efforts of local Inuit communities, who long held oral histories about the expedition's end.

Continuing the Search

Archaeologists plan to continue DNA testing on other remains. With each match, they build a more complete picture of who these men were. The work also informs conservation strategies for the wrecks of Erebus and Terror, which were found in 2014 and 2016, respectively.

For those interested in learning more about the expedition, the overview above provides a starting point. The DNA analysis section details the scientific methods used.