A Tree Grew in Oakland

Second notice from We’re Related has President James Monroe as my 6th cousin, 6 times removed through our MRCA, Margaret Jones (1539-1555), the great grandmother of Thomas Lewis (1630-1700), my 8 times great grandfather, the furthest documented ancestor I have in that line.  This was notice # 404.

Well, many months ago, We’re Related notified me in # 136, that President Monroe was my 7th cousin, 4 times removed through our MRCA, John Lawrence (1519-1590), the great grandfather of Isaac Lawrence (1652-1731), my 7 times great grandfather and the furthest documented ancestor I have in that line.

The two reports cross at President Monroe’s Grandparents: # 136 has Hester Davis (1685-1762), and # 404 has James Jones (1700-1742) and then up their respective lineages.

Unfortunately, in my lineage, I have documentation that shows the father of Thomas Lewis (1630-1709) was George Lewis (1600-1664) not Edmund Lewis (1601-1650) as reported in #404 by We’re Related.  So, if I were to look into this this discrepancy would be at the top of the list of “Things to Resolve”.

For the second time, We’re Related has let me know that Dick Cheney is my cousin – this time, my 8th cousin, once removed through our MRCA, Elizabeth Bond (1656-1729), the 3 times great grandmother of Esther Clark, my 4 times great grandmother and the furthest documented ancestor I have in that lineage.   This was notice # 403.

Way back in notice #126, Cousin Dick was my 9th cousin through our MRCA, Thomas Lewis (1633-1709), my 8 times great grandfather and the furthest documented ancestor I have in that lineage.  In other words, a match!

For Richard Bruce Cheney, the two split at his 3 times great grandparents, # 126 – Rachel Emerson (1781-1863), and # 403 Joseph Fletcher (1777-1861), the parents of Lucy Fletcher (1803-1845).

Joan Crawford is # 402 in We’re Related in a strange reporting as my 9th cousin.  It is strange because it calls our our MRCA as Barnabas Fuller (1659-1738).  My line follows down through his son, Samuel Fuller (1681-1758).  Cousin Joan, Lucille, follows down through his son, Samuel Fuller (1681-1758).  Hence, strange reporting does appear.  This would imply our MRCA would be Samuel, not Barnabas, and that we were 8th cousins, not 9th.  My documentation only goes through Samuel’s granddaughter, Thankful Isham (1752-1834), so I still have two generations to document to get back to Samuel.

Many, many months ago, in Report # 117, We’re Related let me know I should be drinking Pepsi and not using wire hangers as well.  But, in this report, Joan was my 8th cousin, twice removed through a MRCA, Susannah Ball (1622-1677).  Susannah was the reported grandmother of my furthest documented ancestor in that lineage, Lois Pond (1690-1730).  So, through either direction, I still have work to do.  So until that day, I guess I will stick with Coke.

Bobby Jones as my 8th cousin, twice removed, through our MRCA, William Macomber (1610-1670), the proposed great grandfather of Nathaniel White (1700-1764), my 6 times great grandfather and the furthest documented ancestor in that lineage.  The lines seem to be research ready — just need to take the time and not rush the putt.   This one is on the To Do List even though as a golfer, I rank with the “rank”, so it cannot be genetic!

Truman Capote, one of the more prolific writers of the first half of the 20th century, is reported as my 8th cousin, once removed, through our MRCA, Daniel Erhardt (1646-xxxx), the supposed 3 times great grandfather of my 4 times great grandfather, John Backus (1750-1823).  The lineage up from Grandfather John is decidedly German.  The details are decided slim.  My own research leaves Grandfather John as being either Irish or German — he claimed both at various times.  So, the lineage proposed is suspect.  I suspect the research into this family line will be no Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Robert Louis Stevenson as my 7th cousin, 4 times removed!  Author of Treasure Island, one of the first books I remember reading.  We cross our MRCA, John Bland (1572-1668), the proposed grandfather of my 8 times great grandfather, Edward Smith (1636-1693) and the furthest documented ancestor I have in the very confusing Smith lineage.  The proposal from We’re Related is even more confusing since they stipulate that the two male children of John Bland have the surname of Smith — these are the next link for both RLS and myself.  Now, usually, the male child does not switch surname.  And rarely would multiple male children change.   So, the reason behind this will have to go on the the dead man’s chest with a yo ho ho, and investigate as time permits.

OK, so for the second time, We’re Related has told me John Chapman (aka Johnny Appleseed) is my cousin.  In Report # 397 he is my 6th cousin, 5 times removed, through our MRCA, Susan Warren (1555-1613), the proposed 4 times great grandmother of Mercy Simons (1779-1804), my 4 times great grandmother.  In notification # 105, We’re Related has us as 5th cousins, 4 times removed, through our MRCA, Elizabeth Cooke (1611-1663), the proposed mother of Isaac Lawrence (1652-1731), my 7 times great grandfather and the furthest documented ancestor in that lineage.   For John, # 105 reports through his mother’s lineage and # 397 reports through his father’s lineage.  So, I guess that will make him his own distant cousin.   Now, why the sneeze — I am major allergic to apple blossom pollen — So, thanks cousin Johnny for just planting those trees EVERYWHERE!