How Long Has Your Family Been Here?

[scooterbug44]

This month's Smithsonian had an interesting article on geneology. Basically between math, common ancestors, and people fooling around/unknown paternity noone can really know their geneology for sure or claim to be special because of a famous ancestor once you go back a certain number of generations.

Everyone on this message board is a descendant of Charlemange and Julius Caeser!

 

[Beachbummette]

I got into tracing awhile ago and got some family tree software. After a few weeks the tree was so big I realized we are ALL related. We're ALL cousins and there is a lot of comfort in that. I also found I have direct relatives in Walton County I didn't know about dating back over 100 years.

Hey Cuz!! Guess in more ways than one, huh?

My mother's side of the family is Irish, her maternal grandfather came from Ireland in the late 1800's, my mom's paternal side is black Irish. They all had dark hair, skin and the most beautiful crystal blue eyes. Her maternal grandfather and family came from England in the mid 1800's.

My father's side of the family is Swedish arriving in the states in the mid to late 1800's. They are all tall, blue eyed blondes....hmmm...wonder who I look like? Does this make me a heinz 57?

FFF's is 100% Italiano! Both sets of grandparents were born in Sicily and came over around the turn of the century, he still has his maternal grandmother's immagration card and a later dated photo id showing were they came through Ellis Island. His father was the first born Italian American.

 

[scooterbug44]

My father's side of the family is Swedish arriving in the states in the mid to late 1800's. They are all tall, blue eyed blondes....hmmm...wonder who I look like? Does this make me a heinz 57?

We're probably related. My swedish ancestors were arriving about then!

 

[Beachbummette]

We're probably related. My swedish ancestors were arriving about then!

cuz! Do we favor?

 

[scooterbug44]

cuz! Do we favor?

No idea! I'm blued eyed and my mom sort of looks like your Glinda, but since I've never met you............

I'm definitely not a purebred either as I've also got danish, dutch, scottish, flemish and german blood.

 

[Beachbummette]

No idea! I'm blued eyed and my mom sort of looks like your Glinda, but since I've never met you............

I'm definitely not a purebred either as I've also got danish, dutch, scottish, flemish and german blood.

I thought everyone knew what I look like 'cause I'm plastered all over SoWal. (no, I don't mean that kind of plastered DKA & Miss Kitty!) I am going to have to have a talk with DKA....he should know I have first right of refusal on all pics. I'm 5'8, blue eyed, blonde and look a little like Glinda myself....especially the crown part.

 

[Mermaid]

Way cool stories!!!

 

[kathydwells]

I have no idea. I think a Stork brought me and my sister, and I am not sure where that Stork was from.

These are great stories.

 

[ShallowsNole]

My nephew traced my paternal grandfather's family (since he bears my maiden name as his last name) and when he was at FSU, he went to the state archives and was able to find the record of when the first one of us - probably at least eight generations ago - came over from Austria. We knew we were Dutch/German, but didn't have proof. It also didn't help that my paternal great-great-grandfather, who worked on a boat on the Alabama River, deserted his family in Montgomery and made a new family in Brewton/Mobile. We are from the "bastard" side of the family...

Meanwhile, my paternal grandmother's family showed up in Point Washington in the 1870's - 1880's. My great-great grandfather founded the Point Washington United Methodist Church (the fellowship hall is named the Stephen Center for my great-grandfather), and my great-uncle built the home now known as the Wesley Mansion at Eden State Park. The larger question, which is why did the Reverend John Wesley from Brunswick, Georgia suddenly show up in Point Washington with his two teenage sons in tow, has not yet been answered, far as I know. :scratch:

 

[DuneAHH]

What a great thread! I love family histories & stories!! Mine AND Everyone Else's too!!!!

Father's Paternal Side: My great-great grandfather, William Smith, came to America from Scotland in 1828 seeking Opportunity & Freedom. He was a shepherd & originally settled in Virginia...but couldn't abide slavery, so after 1 year relocated to Massillon, Ohio. My family branch is descended from The Old Scot's young 2nd wife, Ann Oldroyd Cole, whose family had emigrated from England to Ohio in the 1830's. The closest our family ever got to royalty was Ann's father, who served as a court portraitist.

We are very fortunate to have copies of letters The Old Scot exchanged back & forth with family in Scotland & England; in his words, urging: "Come to America, a land full of equal opportunity for anyone willing to bend their backs & bow their heads in Labor for Our Lord's Glory". One branch of our family still resides on the original family homestead, "Sunnyside Farm", outside Massillon. My parent's farm in Kansas is "Sunnyside Farm II" in honor of The Old Scot.

Father's Maternal Side: We don't know exactly when great-great-great Grandfather Isaacs arrived in America...but having come from Spain, he was of an age to serve as a spanish interpreter in the Mexican-American war.

Mother's Paternal Side: My great-great grandfather "Voelker" was a draft-dodging stowaway from Germany. His REAL family name is hidden in history; as he took on the name of a "German Benefactress" he met on the journey to America. So...perhaps he was also a smooth talkin' gigolo as yet another means of survival!! (Sorry Grandpa V....but you're the one who always sputtered "that old family history has NO business being kept alive"...so now we're forced to fill in the blanks with imagination !)

Mother's Maternal Side: The Holt's & Lindsay's arrived from England in the mid 19th century. They brought their skinny lips & big hips with 'em and bequeathed 'em to me !!

Both sides of my family were part of the westward movement from Ohio, then to Illinois in the late 1870 - early 1880's. All were hard working farmers & teachers who were passionate about freedom, equality, family, community, education & religious choice. I think all of my Grandmothers got sick of camping out in covered wagons after a similiar # of westward miles ... because all 4 sets of my great grandparents ended up, independently, settling in & around what was to become Hoyt, Kansas (near Topeka) within 1/2 decade of each other in the mid 1880's.

"Through our past we find our future"