Geneology

Viking_UK · 03-28-2008

I'm related to Donald Trump on my mother's side. My grandad and his mother were second cousins. Shame it's not a close family.

The other side of the family boasts John Wayne.

Other than that, there's no-one really famous unless you go back to the 13th century and Olaf the Black. Mind you, there was one lively period when one of my dad's ancestors confessed on his death bed that he was the father of his boss's youngest son. That kicked off a bit of a feud. Out of interest, the illegitimate boy managed to bump off his older brothers and inherited the title and then proceeded to try to take out everyone else on his real father's side. Nice bloke, eh?

simcha · 03-28-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by kalipygian

Do you get to collect any royalties on electricity?

LOL! I wish!!!

See, it's a useless curiosity.

wi_sugargrl · 03-28-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by simcha

/And Tripod, being a direct descendant of Ben Franklin is no great rarity. He was rather prolific in at least three countries on two continents. Most of us are related to him through bastard children (as is my case, most certainly). When I was told that we were related to him, (my mother's maiden name was Franklin actually) I was told with a sly sort of wink and an explanation that we were among thousands who had this in common in at least three countries on two different continents. So, it wasn't anything to be puffed up about. It's just an interesting factoid told amongst family members that makes for interesting banter at the occasional cocktail party. It carries with it absolutely no importance to us in our daily lives. We usually laugh about it because Ben Franklin's proclivities toward massive pro-creation are legendary (and true!).

LOL - I really had no idea about old Ben's .... ahem ... extracurricular activities!

wi_sugargrl · 03-28-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by thatgal

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.

That's sooo cool about your Mayflower ancestor!

I've never researched it - I'm just trying to go backwards from who I know are my ancestors, but I reallly doubt I have a Mayflower ancestor (just like I know I'm not descended from a signer of the Declaration of Independence).

I'm like you - mostly English, Scotch/Irish, and German. I have a few French/Dutch surnames. Surprisingly, most of my Dad's ancestors were from PA - many of whom were Quaker. One of my branches came over on William Penn's fleet. My mother's ancestors settled in VA - some from the Tidewater area, but most came up the Shenandoah Valley. Needless to say, I've become a semi-expert on Virginia genealogy. We should compare notes someday!!!

Also, I'm sooooo jealous that you actually have handed down antiques and Rev War relics. We have nothing - I only have a table from my gggrandmother and a dish from one of my ggrandmothers.

Sugar

MidwestGal · 03-29-2008

thanks sugar,

I don't know who every piece belonged to from like the revolutionary war plate belonged to. Most of the Bibles have names in them and other information written on the inside pages such as who it belonged to and who it was passed to. I want to get all of the stuff photographed and cataloged as to what piece belonged to whom. Some of it I have no clue who it belonged to like and old type hearing aid it looks like a can with holes, then on the other side it narrows to a thin pipe like thing that goes into the ear. Lots of interesting things and I won't ever know the whole story.

Other family members are finally getting into it and asking me for the information kind of pressuring me to work on it but until I feel better and have the space to do it. I can't won't do it. I got joy out of doing it for a term paper in HS. I found two more lines that my dad had never been able to find more information on. I have one distant cousin on my dad's side that is really pressing me for info. I have pictures of his 4rh great grandfather. I have scanned and send him copies of all the stuff that is in the house. But he is wanting me to go through and see if I can find more on the glass negatives. There are probably 6,000 of them at least and I don't have the energy or money to go through and process all of them. Seriously, there are 12 file cabinet drawers full of this stuff.

My stuff from my grandparents and great grandparents is worth the most to me because I have learned the stories. That is one reason that taking care of grandma was great because I got to hear stories about her great grandparents and such. I have taken the time to listen since I was very young. My grandmother and great grandmother use to china paint. I have many things that were painted (will get when I have a place to put them).

But I could take you out to the cemetery my dad is buried in and show you where the grave of my 6th great grandmother is. I just think those of you who have the chance and get along with your family. Get as much info as you can from your family members that are living, they are a valuable resource. My grandpa died 3 weeks ago today, and I will miss his stories of growing up!

This topic is one of my favorite. I look forward to when I can feel well enough to do this on a regular basis. I grew up around a house of primarily antiques. We use all the furniture. My parents believe why have it if you are just going to keep it put away in a box! My son is growing up knowing "decorations" are not to be touched so he respects them and he questions their stories.

Jasper72 · 4 Days Ago

wow.
I just stumbled across the site and I've already found family!
We haven't found anyone of note on dad's side.
My mother's side reaches back to Richard III (only child by Official Concubine) and then back on to Roman Times.

I've got Elvis by marriage, too, as well as John Wayne!
A Mayflower lander (William T...?), four presidents (even if one was set up by Papa), four first ladies, 6? signers of Declaration of Independence, numerous other politicos and other robbers, any number of famous artisans (writers, painters, musicians) on several continents.
and that's all from mom's maternal grandmother!

Her paternal grandmother was a 1gen American whose parents fled their hof in Alsace-Larraine (sp?) after her father witnessed something he shouldn't have. Either leave the country or die, situation. The family hof is now a museum. We would LOVE to visit someday!

koval · 4 Days Ago

I've only being doing some genealogy research in my spare time to study my family history but so far I'm only as far back as 1653. Nothing major in my family past other than one of my great aunts (on my mother's side) who married a member of the German nazi party. If my father's side of the family knew this then they would not have allowed the marriage to go ahead.

HazelGod · 4 Days Ago

Mine's been traced all over the place, but the most complete records trace back to the Duchamp de Chastaigné family, whose ancestral chateau still sits in the Loire river valley.

Artful Dodger · 4 Days Ago

I love the way so many Americans swear they are related to European Royalty. It really makes me chuckle. I think theres some suppressed, deep-down psychological wish there that you had a monarchy.

(I'm really suprised no-ones mentioned the Russian Royals yet. No wanabe long lost grand children of Anastasia around??) Hahaha

Geneology

I'm related to Donald Trump on my mother's side. My grandad and his mother were second cousins. Shame it's not a close family. The other side of the family boasts John Wayne.