A Tree Grew in Oakland

We’re Related felt that Nathan Hale being my 5th cousin, five times removed was so important, they needed to repeat it.  The time before was about 3 months ago.  When I first saw this, I thought that this would indicate a double — that he was related along two separate lines.  But, no, it is the same line, with some exceptions.  Three months ago, they proposed that the mother of my 7th great grandfather, Isaac Lawrence (1652-1731) was Elizabeth Cooke (1611-1663) and her mother was Elizabeth Charde (1589-1643).  This last member was the MRCA with Nathan Hale.  In this most recent notification, the two Elizabeths have been reduced to PRIVATE.    I guess We’re Related forgot they had already spilled the beans.   Anyway, Cousin Nathan is on my To Do list in trying to connect the two Elizabeths, or disproving them, whichever comes first.

Tom, as my 8th cousin, twice removed, might impress my grandchildren, but the pedigree chart provided by We’re Related has a couple of issues.  First, an entire generation that was reported when detailing the same lineage for a “cousin-hood” to Kristen Bell was completely dropped.  Second, the MRCA chosen, Joseph White (1645-1724) as the father of Nathaniel White (1695-1725) is WRONG — I have research evidence that this was Thomas White (1686-1730).    It is nice to see a pedigree with NO PRIVATE entiries, but, unfortunately, there were other issues.

Sgt. Alvin York is my 9th cousin, twice removed.  And this time the pedigrees look to be correct!  It helps that my line to our MRCA, Isabel Harding (1582-1633), goes through my extremely well documented Botsford and Baldwin lines and then down the Baldwin line to Cousin Alvin.  So, well done!

Charles Goodyear, 6th cousin, 5 times removed, or is he?  In my pedigree I am presented with two plug-ins of PRIVATE before the jump to who is supposed to be our MRCA, my 10th great grandmother, Elizabeth Bunckom (1569-1596).  And the linkage for Charles Goodyear to the same MRCA is the hidden PRIVATE.  By now it is obvious that a pet peeve is persons whose identities are hidden who are long DEAD.   I mean really, the late 16th century or early 17th century at the latest?  This one is only in the pile in hopes that it might get me a family discount on a new set of tires sometime in the future.

Mary Todd Lincoln as my 6th cousin, 6 times removed is one generation away from confirmation on my pedigree chart that was proposed.  Our MRCA, Agnes Devey (1559-1639) would be my 10th great grandmother.   I have verified up to what is defined as her daughter, Elizabeth Pitts (1624-1696), my 9th great grandmother.    I found that I am also one link off in my connection to Mary’s husband, President Abraham Lincoln as my 6th cousin 4 times removed, though a different MRCA, Thomas Betts (1602-1688), who would be my 9th great grandfather.   I have verified through what is defined as his daughter, Hannah Betts (1652-1688), my 8th great grandmother.  It is complicated.

Roy Orbison is supposed to be my 9th cousin, once removed though our MRCA, Catherine Charlet (1623-1670).  The closest I can prove is my 4th great grandmother , Mercy Simons (1779-1804).   That leaves 5 generations to Ancestry / We’re Related conjecture.    I can see a lot of research before I will be able go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and claim kinship.