An article in the Lexington Herald Leader said that the mini-series was based mostly (heavily) on a biographical writing of the feud, with as accurate information as possible dug up to make the story what it truly was. Although, for obvious reasons, some romance scenes and affairs and such had to be tweaked to make it more enticing to audiences. From what I can recall, it was actually a VERY accurate miniseries on the affair.
...and the two of them together just set the paradigm for why in-breeding is a bad idea.
FYI, the Hatfields and McCoys were not inbred. Inbreeding by the time this was around was was declining HEAVILY, and had occurred MOSTLY in areas of more southern Appalachia, (As in lower KY, lower WV, Virginia, NW SC, Eastern Tenn, etc) where it was rare to see anybody BUT family, and travel took eons. The hills around the Big Sandy River (the smallest river to create one of Kentucky's borders, and the river that creates the WV, KY border) are smaller than those further south towards Georgia or further north towards Pennsylvania, and are not as expansive; thus, this problem, although prevalent, was not as severe as in other places. Edit: if you want a cool read on the subject, though, look up the blue people of Kentucky.
Anyways, I thoroughly enjoyed the series, and I liked the attention to historical detail (blanket rolls, trapdoor rifles, cabin styles, clothes, etc). I hope they make something like it again. Great miniseries.
