A Tree Grew in Oakland

Brad Pitt is reported as my 8th cousin, once removed through my documented 4th great grandfather, Samuel Lane’s lineage to our MRCA, Dutton Lane (1670-1726).  This is three generations beyond Grandfather Samuel, so I have some more research to do.  But, this comes with a bonus piece of trivia.   Another actor with the same MRCA that We’re Related just update to me:

Marilyn Monroe as my 8th cousin!  Prior to this she was reported with the MRCA of Pretitia Tydings (1680-1734) and now she is reported with Dutton Lane (1670-1726).   The inference is that Dutton and Pretitia were man and wife (or at least, father and mother of the two offspring that went down our lines.  Brad and Marilyn share the same immediate step from the MRCA.

Might need to increase the priority on this project!

Matt Damon is reported to be my 9th Cousin through my 4th great grandmother, Esther Clark’s lineage to our MRCA, Joseph Clark (1642+1702).  I have no evidence beyond 4*GGM Esther, which means I will need to investigate 4 generations of her male lineage to get to the MRCA.  On the up side, Matt’s lineage looks like it might be possible.  So, another TO DO item and clues on the lineage on the Clark family!

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.