 ::::::The big gaps are self evident, and sort of obvious. There is no account from Hemings herself. Big gap. There is no historical record for the whereabouts of the other male Jefferson family members, another big gap, and no 'historical evidence' for their appearances, yet another big gap.  Contemporary academaia has offered nothing other than their opinion on the facts, and lack thereof. Also, Jefferson could have freed the Hemings' just because they were related to the family. Regardless of present day academic opinion, that theory is just as viable as the academically fashionable one is. 