A Tree Grew in Oakland

In this installment of We’re Related, Meryl Streep is defined as my 10th Cousin through my 9th great grandmother, Alice ___________ Smith (1604-1681).  For whatever reason, Ancestry decided to make a secret of my 7th great grandfather’s identity and call him PRIVATE and designate him as the father of Jacob Smith (1706-1797) and the son of Edward Smith (1636-1693).   OK, #Ancestry.com  that means PRIVATE = Joseph Smith (1680-1734).  It is not a secret, but well documented.  With this quirk, my pedigree, as presented, is accurate.  So, Cousin Meryl, family tickets to your next premier?

So, Cousin Jacob and I have a MRCA in Ferdinando Thayer (1625-1713), which I have not authenticated on my line as of yet.  In fact, I am five generations from that point.   But, interesting that this same MRCA is also shared by Ty Cobb.  So one bit of research produces two cousin lines!  I have better make sure this gets in the To Do pile.

Elizabeth Taylor is reported to be my 10th cousin once removed through our MRCA, the PRIVATE undefined parent of Thomas Clark (1570-1627) on my side and Edward Clarke (1576-1611) on her side.  It boggles the mind as to why someone in the 16th century is classed as PRIVATE.   There is little or no chance of them being a victim of identity theft!  The use of this #PLUG by #ancestry.com is very confusing.   To make matters worse, I only have verified my line through Mary Summers (1773-1860), my 4 times great grandmother.   PRIVATE is my 11th great grandparent.  Seven generations without proper evidence to support the lineage proposed.  A lot of added work to produce a vanity relationship.

Carrie Underwood is supposed to be my 9th cousin, once removed, though our MRCA, PRIVATE!  Now, #ancesrty.com that really gives me a great deal of confidence. Couple that with the generation prior to PRIVATE is PRIVATE FEMALE, my 7 times great grandmother, the mother of 6 times great grandmother, Mary Lovell (1704-1740) whom ancestry.com’s app previously told me was Elizabeth Dyer (1680-1747).   Now, PRIVATE, my 8th great grandparent in this pedigree could represent either my 8 times great grandfather or 8 times great grandmother, they were not specific.  But, the first entry below PRIVATE on Carrie’s chart was John Dyer (1710-1773).   So, potentially, it could really be either.  But, it is a secrect!  Shhhhhhhhhhhh.  (At least it is this time)

Ancestry pegs Kurt Cobain as my 9th cousin, once removed through our MRCA, Josiah Thayer (1670-1728).  Josiah would be my 8th great grandfather!  To date, I can only document through to my 4th great grandmother, Esther Clark, in that particular line.  So, 4 generations to verify!    But, according to Ancestry, also sharing Josiah as a MRCA, are Sarah Palin, Eddie Cochran, and Jim Morrison.

OK, Ancestry has jumped from into the Entertainment industry with 9th cousin, once removed, Stephen Amell (I am sure my granddaughter will be impressed!).  Again, not sure what they are doing with the pedigree run — 7th great grandmother on my chart shows PRIVATE — #Ancestry.com #PRIVATE #1600s why?   The entry should have been (I have properly documented the mother of Thomas Morey (1709-1775) and  the daughter of Thomas Lewis (1633-1709) to be Hannah Lewis (1662-1717).  So where is Ancestry getting this PRIVATE ?  And it appears that “Cousin Stephen” has some secrecy in the 1700s because the child of Hannah’s brother, John Lewis (1660-1735) and parent of Benjamin Slack (1733-1818) is PRIVATE and does not indicate either father or mother.  Now that is really private!

On the up side, out MRCA, Thomas Lewis (1633-1709) is a verifiable 8th great grandfather of mine.  So, if Stephen’s pedigree is correct, the family circle has expanded.