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Here is what I've leanned over the years...most of our families seem pretty dull. I descend from pretty much every Royal and Noble House throughout Europe, including Vikings and the first Russian czars. But that stuff is pretty common and boring to me. And then a few years ago I discovered Genealogy Bank. My family lines became very interesting and full of fascinating characters. Old news articles really add that extra dimension. So, if you think your family is pretty boring and lacking some "ZING!" try looking for them in old news accounts
Have you searched old newspapers to see is a robbery happened during the time frame the loot was supposed to have been buried? There might be some truth to it!
I haven't. My mother discounted the whole thing as a boys adventure. A farmhouse version of playing pirates. I don't think they knew when this treasure was buried, they only knew there was supposed to be treasure buried.
It reminded me of the time I read all the Nancy Drew mysteries over the course of a spring and summer... I was DESPERATE for a mystery to solve and everything became something out of the ordinary, just in case....a friend and I even "broke" into a house to figure out why there was stuff stored in a house that wasn't finished.... (Duh, because it wasn't finished and it was the stuff to finish it). I put broke in quotes because construction people often left homes open while under construction back then, so there was no breaking -- just open the door and walk in -- with flashlights of course...more mysterious that way.
I haven't. My mother discounted the whole thing as a boys adventure. A farmhouse version of playing pirates. I don't think they knew when this treasure was buried, they only knew there was supposed to be treasure buried.
It reminded me of the time I read all the Nancy Drew mysteries over the course of a spring and summer... I was DESPERATE for a mystery to solve and everything became something out of the ordinary, just in case....a friend and I even "broke" into a house to figure out why there was stuff stored in a house that wasn't finished.... (Duh, because it wasn't finished and it was the stuff to finish it). I put broke in quotes because construction people often left homes open while under construction back then, so there was no breaking -- just open the door and walk in -- with flashlights of course...more mysterious that way.
And here starts the tales of the future, when your great-great grandchildren will say..."Did you hear about great-great grandma, the master burglar?" LOL!
Everyone from my great-grandmother down to my Mom liked to claim that we're related to Declaration of Independence signer William Whipple.
I did a lot of research, and though my Whipples were in New England at the same time as William Whipple's family, there is no evidence of our tree touching his.
So I had to break it to my mom that we're not related, but told her it was okay because it turns out he was one of the few slave owners in New England. He finally broke down and freed his favorite slave, who later fought in the Revolution with Washington. Interesting story, sure, but not connected to my family at all.
Any family stories that were passed down and turned out to be true, or almost true? What about family stories which turned out to be completely wrong?
For me...
Native American blood - Yes, totally true (Lenni Lenape)
Great-Great-Grandma Lizzie was just a harmless woman - Totally NOT TRUE! She was a petty criminal, common prostitute, brothel madam and ran a criminal ring which had all of Bridgeton, NJ buzzing for years!
Those are just two of many, LOL!
Here's a book you need to buy and read, and I think others will find it interesting. "Maxine - Call Me Madam". It's kinda pricy on Amazon, but a good read and could be your Lizzie. Maxine was operating in Hot Springs AR in the '40s and '50 when it was a gambling mecca. It's a "tell all" book with names so thinly veiled that by know the town and state it was easy for me to I.D. several of them. I will not take the space to give details, but I learned some interesting stuff that has now been well documented.
Here's a book you need to buy and read, and I think others will find it interesting. "Maxine - Call Me Madam". It's kinda pricy on Amazon, but a good read and could be your Lizzie. Maxine was operating in Hot Springs AR in the '40s and '50 when it was a gambling mecca. It's a "tell all" book with names so thinly veiled that by know the town and state it was easy for me to I.D. several of them. I will not take the space to give details, but I learned some interesting stuff that has now been well documented.
Excellent! This is the type of book I like to buy for my research into this topic. I am definately buying this one!
Here's a book you need to buy and read, and I think others will find it interesting. "Maxine - Call Me Madam". It's kinda pricy on Amazon, but a good read and could be your Lizzie. Maxine was operating in Hot Springs AR in the '40s and '50 when it was a gambling mecca. It's a "tell all" book with names so thinly veiled that by know the town and state it was easy for me to I.D. several of them. I will not take the space to give details, but I learned some interesting stuff that has now been well documented.
President Clinton lived there then. Is he mentioned?
1. Related to Stonewall Jackson - False. Jacksons in background were unrelated to him.
2. Related to Robert E. Lee - False. Lees in background were unrelated to him.
3. Related to Abraham Lincoln because of his Mother's indiscretion with my 5xGreat Grandfather - I think it's false but some on the internet say otherwise.
4. Related to the Earls of Essex - False. Relatives of same name in background were unrelated to them.
5. Descended from Earls of Shaftesbury - False. Relatives of same name in background were unrelated to them.
I despise these phony stories and get really worked up when I see them propogated on various websites. In most cases they seem to be made up by some old woman trying to gain membership in some heriditary society or other. After going through this experience several times I'm of the firm conclusion that most Americans who think they're descended from British nobility probably aren't.
I descend from pretty much every Royal and Noble House throughout Europe, including Vikings and the first Russian czars.
Just curious how you know that for sure. I hope you've researched it yourself with a healthy dose of skepticism bolstered by dna.
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