Bones discovered on New Jersey beaches identified as belonging to the captain of a 19th-century shipwreck.

Skeletal remains discovered on various beaches along the South Jersey Shore have been identified as belonging to Henry Goodsell, the captain of a 19th-century ship that sank off the coast of Atlantic County. This revelation was made public by investigators earlier this week.

The investigation began decades ago when a skull was first unearthed in Longport in 1995. Subsequent findings included more bones in Margate City in 1999 and additional remains in Ocean City in 2013. For years, these skeletal remains were referred to as “Scattered Man John Doe” until a breakthrough occurred through collaboration between the New Jersey State Police and the Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center of Ramapo College of New Jersey.

In early 2024, a forensic laboratory analyzed DNA samples from the remains and connected the data to genealogical databases. Ramapo College students traced Goodsell’s family history back to the 1600s, establishing linkages to families from Litchfield and Fairfield counties in Connecticut. As part of the research, investigators delved into naval history and located newspaper articles from December 1844 concerning shipwrecks off the New Jersey coast.

These articles revealed that a schooner named the Oriental had left Connecticut on a voyage to Philadelphia, carrying five crew members and 60 tons of marble, which was intended for the construction of Girard College at the time. Unfortunately, reports indicate that the ship may have sprung a leak and ultimately sank near Brigantine Shoal, approximately one mile off the Atlantic City coast. All five crew members, including 29-year-old Goodsell, perished in the incident.

Following these poignant discoveries, the investigation was handed over to state police, who located Goodsell’s great-great-grandchild. A DNA sample from this descendant confirmed the identity of the remains as those of the long-lost captain just last month.

Ramapo College noted that this case stands as one of the oldest identifications of cold cases utilizing investigative genetic genealogy techniques. New Jersey boasts one of the most comprehensive shipwreck databases in the United States, containing over 4,800 entries. According to NJSP Superintendent Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, the use of modern genealogy methods to resolve such an old case underscores a commitment to bringing closure to families, regardless of time elapsed. The advancements in science continue to bridge the gaps left by history, forever changing the narrative of those lost at sea.

This discovery serves as a testament to the skills of forensic researchers and the enduring legacy of those who perished in maritime tragedies.