By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Decades after skeletal remains, dubbed “Scattered Man John Doe,” were discovered on New Jersey beaches, Ramapo College students used investigative genetic genealogy to identify them as Henry Goodsell, the captain of the 1844-sunk schooner *Oriental*. Their research, involving DNA matching and historical records, linked the remains to Goodsell’s Connecticut family and corroborated accounts of the *Oriental*’s demise and the recovery of one crew member’s body. This identification, confirmed by DNA comparison with a descendant’s sample, marks a significant advancement in solving long-unsolved cold cases using this innovative technique. The successful identification highlights the collaborative power of law enforcement and academic institutions in providing closure to families and resolving historical mysteries.
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Skeletal remains discovered on New Jersey beaches between 1995 and 2013, initially known as “Scattered Man John Doe,” have finally been identified as belonging to the captain of the 19th-century schooner, the Oriental. This remarkable identification is a testament to the dedication of Ramapo College students and the New Jersey State Police, who collaborated to solve a century-old mystery.
The Oriental, a schooner carrying 60 tons of marble from Connecticut to Philadelphia for the construction of Girard College, sank off the coast of Brigantine Shoal in 1844 after springing a leak. All five crew members perished in the disaster, a tragedy lost to time until the recent breakthrough. The storm’s ferocity, as described in contemporaneous accounts from the Boston Daily Bee, prevented any rescue attempts. One crew member was reportedly “decently buried” after his body washed ashore, but the fate of the others remained unknown for nearly 150 years.
The discovery of the skeletal remains, including a skull, prompted years of unsuccessful attempts by police to identify the individual. However, a partnership between the New Jersey State Police and Ramapo College’s Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center in 2023 changed everything. A bone sample was provided to Intermountain Forensics, which then uploaded the genetic profile to DNA matching sites in February 2024.
Ramapo College students then undertook a meticulous investigation using the profile. Their research initially revealed ancestry matches dating back to the 17th century in Connecticut. This led them to investigate shipwrecks off the New Jersey coast, ultimately uncovering articles detailing the sinking of the Oriental and identifying its crew members. One article described the horrific storm that led to the wreck, while another detailed the recovery of one body.
The painstaking work of matching genealogical records to shipwreck accounts allowed the students to identify the remains as those of the Oriental’s captain. The remarkable feat of obtaining usable DNA from remains that had been exposed to the elements for over a century speaks volumes about advancements in forensic science. The preservation of the bones, likely due to their exposure to the air and land after washing ashore, rather than remaining submerged, was crucial in this success. The DNA was compared to that of a living descendant, providing irrefutable confirmation.
This identification has brought a sense of closure to a mystery that spanned generations. The ability to finally name the captain, providing his family with long-overdue recognition, underscores the human element of the investigation. While the descendants may not have been actively searching for their ancestor from 1844, the emotional impact of this discovery is undeniable.
The success highlights the power of interdisciplinary collaboration. The combined efforts of law enforcement, academic researchers, and advanced DNA technology have brought to light a piece of history that might have remained lost forever. It represents a triumph of investigative genetic genealogy, showing its potential to resolve cold cases, historical mysteries, and even centuries-old maritime tragedies. The integration of historical research and modern scientific techniques proved instrumental in piecing together this remarkable story.
The “Scattered Man John Doe” is no longer an anonymous set of bones. He has a name, a story, and finally, a proper recognition, thanks to the diligent work of those who dedicated years to solving this unique and captivating mystery. The successful identification speaks to the power of perseverance and the possibilities of modern forensic technology in unveiling the secrets of the past. The finding is a reminder that even after decades, even after centuries, the stories of those lost at sea may yet be found, providing closure and adding a new chapter to historical records.