Archaeologists have used DNA to name four more members of Captain Sir John Franklin’s doomed 1846 Arctic expedition. The new identifications, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science and Polar Record, add William Orren, David Young, John Bridgens, and Petty Officer Harry Peglar to the list of known crew. These names complete the roster of those who perished on the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror.

DNA profiling compared bone and tooth samples from King William Island sites to cheek swabs from 25 descendant donors. After earlier matches like chief engineer John Gregory and Captain James Fitzjames, the team linked molars, a premolar, and a humerus to the four men. The findings confirm the crew’s final days and the harsh reality of cannibalism reported by Inuit hunters.

These identifications bring closure to a century‑old mystery and underscore the power of modern genetics in maritime archaeology. By confirming the identities of all 129 crew members, researchers can finally honor each individual’s story. The work also sets a benchmark for future investigations of lost expeditions in extreme environments.

The study also revisited an unburied skeleton found in 1859, linking it to Petty Officer Harry Peglar after analyzing clothing and DNA. The recovered waistcoat and silk neckerchief matched the attire of a steward’s servant, aligning with the genetic evidence. This convergence of forensic detail and genetic data illustrates the meticulous nature of modern archaeological sleuthing.