Americas most inbred family

The Whittaker family have a complicated history with inbreeding leaving some members with heartbreaking genetic defects - but they have their neighbors for security and support.

The Whittaker family, who are known as America's most inbred family, were treated to a day out by photographer Mark Laita - who took them to visit their family cemetery. America's most inbred family, the Whittakers , have their own private cemetery and even make their own headstones. Despite their complex history with inbreeding, which has led to some members suffering from severe genetic defects, they are known for their warm and welcoming nature. Although all members of this West Virginian family can understand spoken words, some members can only communicate through grunts and body language. Over time, photographer Mark Laita has formed a close bond with the family, documenting their unique lifestyle. Mark often takes the family on outings, like trips to the supermarket, the fair, and recently, a visit to their family cemetery in Raleigh County, West Virginia. In a YouTube video, Mark is seen driving the Whittakers to pay respects to their departed loved ones.

Americas most inbred family

A photographer has shared a fascinating and poignant insight into the world of a family dubbed 'America's most inbred', who communicate largely in grunts and live in squalor in rural West Virginia. Mark Laita, who runs the Soft White Underbelly YouTube account, said the Whittaker family would bark at visitors, make animal noises at each other in lieu of conversation, and would often flee from people who came to see them. Mr Laita first met the family at their home in the village of Odd in , and later came back to film them in The family is made up of three siblings called Lorraine, Timmy and Ray, whose parents were first cousins. He said on the Konkrete podcast: "It was out of control. There's these people walking around and their eyes are going in different directions and they are barking at us. They have received a huge amount of interest since Mr Laita filmed his interview, he said. But the local people are very protective of the Whittakers, he warned - a challenge he had to overcome himself when he came to film them. The first time he approached them in , he was met by "protective" neighbours wielding a shotgun. He was allowed to take a few photos, but only filmed his interview when he came back on a whim in Read more: 'I brought a statue that exploded': Russia parades laughing woman 'assassin' accused of killing pro-Putin blogger. The family spent a lot of time on their front porch and communicate largely in grunts. But one relative told Mr Laita: "They understand what you talking about. See more More Latest News. See more Latest News.

He was describing his first ever encounter with the Whittakers, who reside in the rural mountain town of Odd, West Virginia, which boasts an infamously tight-knit population of around people.

By Vanessa Serna For Dailymail. A filmmaker has given a glimpse inside the lives of one of America's most inbred families in West Virginia after he visited them in their squalid home. The Whittakers - who live in the aptly-named village of Odd, 75 miles south of Charleston - have been known to bark at people, communicate through grunts and often run away when people tried to speak to them. Producer Mark Laita has shone a spotlight on the family by releasing a short minute film on his YouTube channel Soft White Underbelly, in a bid to report on untold stories from across the country. He has described the inbred family as like something out of the thriller, Deliverance. In April last year he revisited the Whittaker family, who he first met in and filmed in , and spoke about it on the channel. Pictured: The Whittakers.

We know little about the family due to the Whitakers secretive nature and the protection they receive from neighbors and local authorities. Mark Laita brought the family to international recognition when he photographed them for his book Created Equal in He faced threats from neighbors as he tried to photograph the family and had to explain himself before locals allowed him to proceed. Researchers rely on self-reporting inbreeding to generate family trees as ethical barriers hinder the gathering of family data without permission. The family lives in a decrepit house and appears unkempt, giving the video a sad feeling. Mark Laita offered the Whitaker family food and money to demonstrate his good intentions.

Americas most inbred family

THE complicated lineage of a family dubbed the most inbred in America has been revealed after a filmmaker documented their lives. Mark Laita first stayed with the Whittaker family in , but after reuniting with them in , details about their lineage became clearer. The family is currently comprised of three siblings named Lorraine, Timmy, and Ray, while cousin Freddie died of a heart attack. There are also reports of another unnamed sister and other family members who Latia never got the chance to meet. While early reports of the family stated the siblings' parents were brother and sister, the family later confirmed to Laita they were in fact double first cousins.

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In Your Area. The Whittakers - who live in the aptly-named village of Odd, 75 miles south of Charleston - have been known to bark at people, communicate through grunts and often run away when people tried to speak to them. It was out of control - the craziest thing I have ever seen. Through his videos, Laita has helped the Whittaker family to raise money to pay repairs and improvements at their home. The headstones of Freddy Whittaker and Barbara Whittaker were also shown, with some numbers written backward. It was shared how Lorene's son, Timmy, was born in as a result of sexual abuse from an unidentified man. Celebs TV Films. On Mark's latest YouTube video, a viewer commented: "This channel has shown me how fragile the human spirit is but also how strong we can be. It was out of control - the craziest thing I have ever seen. Get email updates with the day's biggest stories Sign up. Laita, for one, says that ultimately his goal is to shed light on issues in parts of the country that people seldom see. Well, we've made them even better! Follow the Mirror US News page on Facebook All the latest news, showbiz, lifestyle and sports updates, brought to you by our dedicated American team. He was allowed to take a few photos, but only filmed his interview when he came back on a whim in

The Whittaker family have heartbreaking genetic defects which have left some of them grunting and barking instead of talking - and they are cut off from civilisation in there shack.

They had spent the entire sum on a new truck, roof, kitchen refit, and a coal heater. He responded: 'Might be coal mining. It was revealed that Lorene's son, Timmy, was born in after she suffered abuse. You are viewing 1 of 5 images Previous Image Next Image. When asked why their eyes don't point forward, Kenneth says: "Might be coal mining. How Carole Middleton is supporting Kate as she's spotted by her daughter's side in the first sighting of the Today, Betty, who was born in , has become the head of the family after promising her mother she would not marry so she could look after her 14 siblings. T Whitaker. And then one guy, you would look at him in the eye or say anything and he would just scream and go running away, and his pants would fall around his ankles, and he would go running off and go and kick a garbage can. In his YouTube videos, Laita warns anyone intending to visit to mock or disturb the family to think again as they will be chased away. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. The family didn't know their genetic issues occurred due inbreeding, according to what they told the filmmaker. Photographer Mark Laita has set up a GoFundMe page to help the Whittaker family afford a new home after seeing their living conditions firsthand and recognizing they need help.