A Tree Grew in Oakland

Frank Morgan (nee Francis Phillip Wuppermann — wonder why he didn’t use that for his stage name) played the title role in the Wizard of Oz.  We’re Related goes down the yellow brick road to our MRCA, Elizabeth Starkey (1614-1684) who happens to be only two generations beyond my documented 7th great grandmother, Lydia Dean (1679-1726).  So, the Great OZ might just actually be my 8th cousin, twice removed.  I’ll check with Auntie Em and see if the theory sets off any flying monkeys….

Lucretia Rudolph Garfield, wife of President James A Garfield, was the First Lady of the United States for a very short time (March 4, 1881 – September 19, 1881) due to the assassination of her husband shortly after he took office.   The pedigree chart for Lucretia (I think the Borgia family forced that name to go out our circulation) is fairly straight forward.  My pedigree to the MRCA, William Ward (1603-1687) requires a great deal more research on my part since I only have evidence to my 3rd great grandmother, Esther Clark.   There are 6 generations to get to the MRCA!  The lineage for Lucretia is fairly simple and clear except for the unclear use of surnames for the females in the line — it appears whatever tree We’re Related used did not adhere to the standard of using the maiden name for females and may have used the married name for a generation or two.   This will also require research as there are other explanations (i.e. lack of marriage).

Kiefer William Frederick Dempsey George Rufus apparently really is my ninth cousin.  The lineage presented by We’re Related is actually accurate (see yesterday’s comment dealing with the father of Hannah Prindle).  This goes up the same line only this one follows the correct path to the MRCA, William Prindle (1631-1690).  OK, We’re Related, how long before you realize that Donald McNichol Sutherland, Keifer’s father, is also a cousin?  The clock is ticking.

Close!  Booth Tarkington as my sixth cousin, four times removed through my heavily documented Botsford line.  Our MRCA, Sarah Beard (1631-1689) is reported to be my documented 8th great grandfather, Samuel Camp’s (1645-1763) mother.  IF her dates are reported correctly, she gave birth to Grandfather Camp at the age of 14!   Since the Camp family is also well documented, but probably not by whomever put together this tree that Ancestry decided to grab, I should be able to research this questionable item and determine if the date is wrong or the person is wrong, or is she really produced children from the age of 14 through 31 when Booth’s ancestor was born.

I might have preferred Daimler or Benz — their cars are still available, but We’re Related offered up the investor of the Stanley Steamer instead.   Well, they offered up one of the two twin brothers.  Now the wait to see how long it takes for his twin to be recognized and if he will be shown with the same MRCA.   Anyway,   F.E. and my MRCA, was Alice Strong (1606-1697), two generations beyond my documented 7th great grandmother, Lydia Dean (1606-1697).  So, another TO DO item with hints to the next two generations.