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Originally Posted by hotbtminla  Amusing/interesting AP story today on tracing the bloodlines of the 3 Presidential candidates. The Associated Press: Obama Related to Pitt, Clinton to Jolie
Anybody have someone notable in their distant family trees that they know of?
I'm too much of a math moron to figure out sixth cousins once removed, though from what I understand I'm 3rd or 4th cousins with Mark Wahlberg and have some blood-connection to South American revolutionary Bernardo O'Higgins. Go me! |
I am related to Aaron Burr, Rev. Aaron Burr Sr (who was president of what is now Princeton University) as well as Joseph Wadsworth who placed the charter in the Charter Oak. I am also descended from John and Priscilla (Mullins) Alden that came here on the Mayflower. I am sure there are several other names in my family genealogy that would have meaning in religious history but off the top of my head I just can't think of the names at the moment.
Many of my family members were significant pioneers and set up communities and churches. Several lines of mine came to the county I live in in 1832 and many decedents still live here today. Several Traveled the Oregon Trail. I am lucky enough to have family artifacts to go along with the stories. I have drawers of glass negatives of the settling and setting up of many communities in the area I live. As well as centuries old Bibles, a lead plate that parts were melted off to make bullets during the Revolutionary War. So many interesting things, well I think. I also have thousands of letters, copies of deeds of where people lived on the East Coast, a copy of a letter of commendation from George Washington, decorating someone from our family, during the Revolutionary War.
I inherited the position of family historian and keeper of documents after my father passed away. When I am well I will put it all on a disk. I would eventually like to publish a book on life as a pioneer based on the thousands of letters I have.
In fact, the bed I sleep in was my 5 great grandmothers as a wedding present from her husband. It was common for men and women to sleep in separate rooms back then. My mom's house looks like a museum with all the antiques, more than 70 percent of the items belonged to a different generation in our family.
My historical roots are based from Scotland, England, Wales, Ireland, and Germany. I am very proud of most of my families contributions to settling this country. I feel very blessed that each generation has had a record keeper to keep accurate information so I can find the original copies of documents if I need. One day, I hope to have a project room just to house an area for me to work on getting all of this information on a computer and documenting photos/paperwork so that generations to come have the information.