what a pedigree!!
...if you believe all the legends, then I am related toKing David
(the biblical one !)
Stick your tongue firmly in your left cheek and take a large pinch of salt.
Interesting question!
Mum always said she was descended from Captain James Cook's family (she knew he didn't have direct descendants).
MarieC
I have a distant ancestor Deborah Travis who sang in concerts around the country between 1815 & 1843. She was famous for her rendition of Handels Messiah and was indentured to the Duke of Westminster. She came from a lowly cotton family in Shaw Oldham. I would love to see a photo of her but have not found anything on Google. Her husband William Knyvett was even more famous in his time. He was a Proffessor of Music in the early 1800's. Conducted the Birmingham Festivals. He also composed songs and anthems for King George IV & Queen Victoria.
Although these are very distant ancestors, I have found a large number who have sung in various choirs.Also, a GG uncle Joseph Travis who travelled up and down the Golden Mile at Blackpool in the 1930's with a piano on a cart singing and selling sheet music . I would also like to find information on him. Singing does seem to be in our genes right up to the present day and that includes myself. Which is another reason why I am trying to find photos. of Deborah Travis/Knyvett and Gt Uncle Joe.
Any suggestions where I can look.
regards
dinkey
Fellow Aussies, how could I forget my g-g-grandfather John Haynes? Born 1850, he was the co-founder, along with Mr Archibald (he of Archibald Prize fame) of "The Bulletin" newspaper (now a magazine). Granted, they were thrown in jail in 1882 for not paying court costs associated with a libel case brought against them, and he went bankrupt within a year or two and the Bulletin was sold on!! John went on to run another paper with his son in the late 1890s-early 1900s and was a long-serving and very prominent MLA in NSW for a total of 30-something years. He seems to have been quite a rabble-rouser and famously almost single-handedly pressured the government to order an enquiry into some dodgy land deals in Sydney involving prominent local personalities. He even made it into the Cyril Pearl book "Wild Men of Sydney"! Must have been his Irish blood.Prue
I have nothing to add to this thread.
Perhaps I should start a thread called, "Ancestors who abandoned their children, lied on their official certificates, hid from the census-taker and didn't want to be found" or "Lives of the poor and infamous" or "How many fathers named Unknown in your tree".
;D
Regards,
Josephine
Trish,I had the same situation with Lord Kitchener. Because my g g g grandmother was nee Kitchener, years of family lore had it that we were related ...but of course i had to get stuck in and disprove it LOL...some weren't too happy about that!
You are so right. My father always said we were related to HG Wells. I traced my Wells branch back to the 1700s and there is definitely no link. Oh well.
Kath
I have a relative who was friends with William Shakespeare, and I think that is as good as it gets for me. ::) And a stepgrandfather who was friends with Ed Sullivan. And my husband has a great uncle who was friends with Danny Kaye. Do you see a pattern here. :D
Kath
my only so called famous relative is thomas chippendale snr. my great uncle.... oh the riddicule of having that name at school lol
LOL oooo nooo Blackadder... I have seen the records for William and Martha pop up a few times but theyre not on my tree, could you maybe tell me how they are related to Thomas? If thats ok, Not sure how far you go back :)
I have a family connection - although a very distant one - with Tara Palmer Tomkinson. More interestingly to me however is that I have an ancestor, John Swynfen (an MP) referred to in the diary of Samuel Pepys. Jayson
I have Sergeant Albert Mitchell of the 13th Light Dragoons, and later Kent Police in my family tree. He was one of the few who took part in the Charge of the Light Brigade and lived to tell the tale - in his case he went one better, and wrote the book. (Recollections of one of the Light Brigade)
I have the book, and have always been fascinated by the very matter of fact description as they went in of 'seeing Captain Nolan on ours fall in front of me'.
I agree its great reading! Im just wondering though as some of these relations are, ermmmmm distant....... I was wondering how some of you end up researching so far out of your direct lines???
Im just wondering though as some of these relations are, ermmmmm distant....... I was wondering how some of you end up researching so far out of your direct lines???
2) Alexander Graham Bell did not invent the telephone, he stole the design and concept from an Italian when he worked in a patent office.
1) Robin Hood is not a real person, so no one is related to him.
I was hoping someone would claim Robin Hood as an ancestor. :)
I was hoping someone would claim Robin Hood as an ancestor. :)
Personally I'm related to Sherlock Holmes. 8)
- Connaire -
Apparently one of my distant cousin's (Dr. Joseph Sampson Gamgee) got mentioned on BBC Radio 4's The Unbelievable Truth yesterday. I shall listen to it soon myself. There was also a television programme on ITV that mentioned him once too but I have never seen it. I also have a copy of The remarkable Gamgees : a story of achievement (1974, Ramsay Head Press), by Ruth D'Arcy Thompson (daughter of Prof. D'Arcy Wentworth Thompson, a nephew of Dr. Joseph Sampson Gamgee) which is about the rise of the family from humble farmers to veterinary surgeons and inventors.
More recently, my great-uncle was1st person to sail around the world single-handedand very famous in his day.
Just read this through and it should be 1st person to twice sail around the world single-handed.
As close as I can get is my 4x GGrandfather Richard Wouldhave was on board the frigate Pandora which was sent to the south seas to capture the 25 men who had 'pirated' the Bounty and cast adrift her captain, William Bligh.
For a wonderful moment I thought your family came from Middle Earth and spent a lot of time searching for Rings..
My Gt Gt Uncle was a hangman from 1901 - 1924. Quite a famous one, Crippen was one of those he hung.
Its amazing that I am distantly related to The Kray Twins of all people.
My favourite is my Great x24 Grandfather: William Marshal, reputedly the greatest knight that ever lived, who rose from obscurity to serve four kings and become one of the most powerful men in Europe, tournament legend, eventually appointed a Regent of England, 1st Earl of Pembroke, and bacame a Knight Templar on his deathbed, and is buried in the Temple Church in London, and clearly was quite a bloke! He had ten children and I am descended (as no doubt are many thousands) from his daughter Eva who married William de Braose, through my maternal great Grandmother's line.
Paul
Hi Stephen,
That makes you a 'cousin' of mine too! I'm actually related to William through three of his daughters, Eva, Isabel & Sybil.
Jill
Yes it is great, even though I tend to read with a notebook alongside me! When you find famous ancestors like these you also discover a mountain of books! Alison Weir's 'Isabella', Ian Mortimer's 'Edward III', Alison Weir's 'Kathryn' are other recent reads of mine and I'm related to all of them!
My apologies too for the thread hijack but it isn't every day you meet a new cousin!
Jill
Hi Stephen,
I think it is a well known fact that Edward III was 'father of the nation' - just about everybody is descended from him if they could just prove it!
I've read Anya Seton's book too, although that is a novel based on fact whereas Alison Weir's book is a biography, but they are both extremely interesting, especially to me because I live just down the road from Kathryn's home, Kettlethorpe Hall so I have the local as well as the family interest.
Paul and I have exchanged p.m.'s - he has a lot of information on William's children.
I'm going away for a couple of days now so forgive me if I don't respond to any further messages on the subject for a few days.
Jill
No, and I know this is about famous people, but the lives of our not-famous ancestors are endlessly interesting, aren't they!
Yes it is great, even though I tend to read with a notebook alongside me! When you find famous ancestors like these you also discover a mountain of books! Alison Weir's 'Isabella', Ian Mortimer's 'Edward III', Alison Weir's 'Kathryn' are other recent reads of mine and I'm related to all of them!
My apologies too for the thread hijack but it isn't every day you meet a new cousin!
Jill
I actually have the book Katherine, by Anya Seton, which is about Katherine de Roet - my 22nd great grandmother. I descend from her and John of Gaunt via John Beaufort, whose daughter Joan married King James I of Scotland - the line goes into one of my Houghton branches and eventually into the Willis family. I think Katherine and John probably have hundreds of thousands of descendants all over the world by now.
Stephen :)
Infamous more like
1st cousin 5 times removed (or thereabouts) known as 'a hedonistic' playwright.... nice one...
xin
I am an American, and have recently discovered that, on my mother's father's mother's side, (got that?), we're directly descended from British and French monarchs, and this information came as a complete surprise. We've since discovered that we're related to the following:
• Charlemagne
• Egbert
• Alfred the Great
• Duke William I of Aquitaine
• Edward the Confessor
• William the Conqueror
• Eleanor of Aquitaine
• Henry II
• King John
• Henry III
• Edward I
• Emperor Ludwig of Bavaria
• Philippe VI of France
• Jean II Of France
• Charles V of France
• Charles VI of France
• Henry VII
• Henry VIII
• QE2
... among others. I believe we're direct descendents from all of them (i.e., they're all our umpteenth great-grandparents), except QE2 and the Henry's, who are cousins. I imagine there are 10 million other folks on earth who can claim the same heritage, but still, I find all of this fairly mind-boggling! :o
We've also discovered that on my dad's side we're related to St. Therese (the "Little Flower").
Rest assured, the bloodline has thinned out enough to where there is nothing saintly or royal about our current generation! (I'm not expecting any invitations to Buckingham Palace or the Vatican anytime soon!) ;)
-Mary
a mere peasant, really
I thin if you went back far enough you may find several distant connections to famous people.
I am sure David Frost said he was of Suffolk ancestry and I have Frost ancestors in Suffolk.
The family tree can lead to everal hundereds of entry's in different generations,maybe along the way you have found that you are related to Alexander Graham Bell who invented the telephone, Robin Hood or even Watt Tiler.
Maybe an ancester did something heroic but was never credited for it. Anyway I thought it may make an interesting question.
I'm related to Redroger - he's famous - well at least on Rootschat ;D ;D
Lizzie
wasnt it found on who do you think u r that Patsy Kensit was related to the Krays???
xin
I've found Dr William Joseph Simmonite in my tree. He was a well known Herbalist and wrote at least 6 books, which you can still buy copies of at least 2 of them.
Heather
aghadowey Our common ancestor is Sir John Popham.
Minn
The family tree can lead to everal hundereds of entry's in different generations,maybe along the way you have found that you are related to Alexander Graham Bell who invented the telephone, Robin Hood or even Watt Tiler.
Maybe an ancester did something heroic but was never credited for it. Anyway I thought it may make an interesting question.
I found the notorious hanging Judge Jeffries married the sister of an ancestor
Mimble - you might find this link of interest, then:Thanks brigidmac that's wonderful!
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A52526.0001.001/1:9.2.1?rgn=div3;view=fulltext
It takes you to a transcript of a full account of the trial of Francis Hacker, who signed the warrant after Huncks refused, and contains Hacker's evidence of what happened in the chamber that day, along with some evidence from Huncks, and the reference to Cromwell calling him a "froward, peevish fellow".
Enjoy!
Mimble - you might find this link of interest, then:Thanks brigidmac that's wonderful!
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/eebo/A52526.0001.001/1:9.2.1?rgn=div3;view=fulltext
It takes you to a transcript of a full account of the trial of Francis Hacker, who signed the warrant after Huncks refused, and contains Hacker's evidence of what happened in the chamber that day, along with some evidence from Huncks, and the reference to Cromwell calling him a "froward, peevish fellow".
Enjoy!
Mimble - I've just been consulting my copy of "England's Black Tribunal" (6th edition, 1737) and found the transcript of the warrant at pages 45 - 6.
It reads as follows:
At the High Court of Justice for the Trying and Judging of Charles Stewart, King of England, January 29. 1648.
Whereas Charles Stuart, King of England, is, and standeth Convicted, Attainted and Condemned of High Treason, and other High Crimes, and Sentence upon Saturday last was pronounced against Him by this Court, to be put to Death by the severing of his Head from his Body; of which Sentence, Execution remains yet to be done: These are therefore to Will and Require you to see the said Sentence Executed in the open street before Whitehall, upon the Morrow, being the 30th day of this Instant Month of January, between the Hours of Ten in the Morning, and Five in the Afternoon of the same Day, with full Effect: and for so doing, this shall be your Warrant. And these are to require all Officers and Soldiers, and other the good People of this Nation of England, to be assisting unto you in this Service.
Given under our Hands and Seals.
To Col. Francis Hacker, Col. Hunks, and Lieutenant Col. Phray, and to every of them:
Sealed and subscribed by
J. Bradshaw, T. Grey, O. Cromwell, Ed. Whaley, M. Livesey, J. Okey, J. Danvers, R. Bourchier, H. Ireton, T. Maleverer, [and 49 other regicides]
To find your ancestor named in one of the most notorious documents in England's entire history, nay, to have it actually ADDRESSED to him and two others ... well ... that's quite something!!
Possibly Eleanor of Aquitaine, and the Plantagenet's through my Wilkinson's, but as a person of Scots descent being related to Edward I, is not a good thing, he was known as the "hammer of the Scots" this is according to 'Family Search'
Andi
Possibly Eleanor of Aquitaine, and the Plantagenet's through my Wilkinson's, but as a person of Scots descent being related to Edward I, is not a good thing, he was known as the "hammer of the Scots" this is according to 'Family Search'
Andi
But that means you also have Matilda of Scotland and her Father King Malcolm III in your line.
It also means that we are distant Cousins.
Possibly Eleanor of Aquitaine, and the Plantagenet's through my Wilkinson's, but as a person of Scots descent being related to Edward I, is not a good thing, he was known as the "hammer of the Scots" this is according to 'Family Search'
Andi
Another good question. ;D
Reminds me of an earlier thread, Are you Related to Royalty:
http://www.rootschat.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=3318.0 (http://www.rootschat.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=3318.0)
so far I have no distinguished ancestors, lots of interesting ones though. ;D
Kazza.
Possibly Eleanor of Aquitaine, and the Plantagenet's through my Wilkinson's, but as a person of Scots descent being related to Edward I, is not a good thing, he was known as the "hammer of the Scots" this is according to 'Family Search'
Andi
But that means you also have Matilda of Scotland and her Father King Malcolm III in your line.
It also means that we are distant Cousins.
Thats true but Edward the first :-[ and a connection with William the Conqueror etc
Theres just one Wilkinson I need to check out but it looks right
Another good question. ;D
Reminds me of an earlier thread, Are you Related to Royalty:
http://www.rootschat.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=3318.0 (http://www.rootschat.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=3318.0)
so far I have no distinguished ancestors, lots of interesting ones though. ;D
Kazza.
Is this thread still there? I can't get the link to work.
My ancestor Aoife of Leinster (c1145-c1188) was born before King Edward III (1312-1377) was born. If it is estimated most of the English population with predominantly English ancestry descend from King Eddie, I am sure the number must be greater for Aoife of Leinster, meaning almost all of the English population with predominantly English ancestry have some distant Irish ancestry.
My ancestor Aoife of Leinster (c1145-c1188) was born before King Edward III (1312-1377) was born. If it is estimated most of the English population with predominantly English ancestry descend from King Eddie, I am sure the number must be greater for Aoife of Leinster, meaning almost all of the English population with predominantly English ancestry have some distant Irish ancestry.
Problem is most of us won't be able to link it back.
Have had a look at a family tree extract done for our family by someone from the national.library if Wales. It traces my great grandmothers family back to 1132 rhys ap grufydd. I found it an interesting read but have just checked him out he was king if a kingdom in south wales. Blue blood yay
Jeremy Bentham, John Gay, Alfred Nobel, Max von Sydow, and a more tenuous link to Joshua Reynolds.
Yes I have established that I have Joan Beaufort, John of Gaunt, Edward III in my Neville tree. She was married to Ralph Neville. Their son George Neville married Elizabeth Beauchamp (1417–1480), daughter of Richard de Beauchamp 13th earl of Warwick. I have been reading up on English medieval history to find out more about these fascinating times and people.
Biggles50 we may be related in another way too, as I have Stricklands in my tree too, from Light Hall in Colton, Lancashire.
They match does seem to be a rampant Trump supporter so I am in no particular hurry to check through their tree person by person to verify its accuracy to my satisfaction. They do still bear the Strickland name.
But I have confirmed my GGrandfather Taylor Swainson the engineer and one of the pioneers of the steam engineI've got him as well! See my page on the Swainson line http://www.ianewilliamson.co.uk/gen/lines/Swainson.html
My third cousin, 1x removed, John Albert Dykins - married Julia (Judy) Elizabeth Stanley in 1944. They had two daughters. However, Julia also had a son from a previous marriage called... John Winston Lennon... :)
That's the most famous person I've found so far. Pop royalty even if not any actual royalty... LOL
Cheers all
Ms_C