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DNA Test In Paradise
The rock ‘n’ roll urban legend has been bandied about for years – that
But what might surprise people is that, apparently, the two believe it just might be true – to the point that they may undergo DNA testing to prove or disprove the theory.
The Buffetts have been friends for years. Warren leaves telephone messages for “Cousin Jimmy,” according to The Wall Street Journal, and Jimmy calls him “Uncle Warren.”
Warren Buffett’s sister, Doris, has been pushing the familial theory for more than 20 years. An amateur genealogist, Doris sent letters to 116 other Buffetts – including Jimmy.
“I’ve spent a lot of time and energy trying to connect up the two families,” she told the WSJ.
As it happens, one of the mutineers from the legendary HMS Bounty was named Buffett. According to local histories, he managed to relocate to Norfolk Island from the more celebrated – and isolated – Pitcairns.
Doris and Jimmy took a trip together to visit the island, located between Australia and New Zealand, but found nothing to prove either of their families were descendants of the Norfolk Buffetts. Shortly after the trip, Doris introduced her new friend to her brother.
For her years of searching, Doris still hasn’t been able to make a verifiable link between the two Buffett families, but told the WSJ she is considering DNA testing to put the question to rest.
Even if they aren’t related, perhaps they should be. Doris has been a special guest at several Jimmy Buffett concerts, and Warren apparently has the musical talent to back up a claim.
Warren Buffett, accompanying himself on ukelele, crooned “Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue (Has Anybody Seen My Gal?)” at the opening of his suspected cousin’s Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurant in Omaha, Neb. – which happens to be Warren’s home town. He bought the first cheeseburger sold there.
It was probably the least he could do, considering “Cousin Jimmy” has bought some of Buffett’s wares, too – starting with 15 shares of Berkshire Hathaway back in 1989. He’s been buying them ever since.
And the Buffetts want to believe: “I do see some family resemblance,” Jimmy insisted to the WSJ, adding he has always “just kind of assumed” a family relation.