I like the genealogy site
www.familysearch.org. It's very useful.and has literal billions of records on it including censuses, church records, tax records, wills, deeds, land grants, military records and more. I've posted on it here before.
A few times a year they run a Roots Tech program where tens of thousands of people collaborate. They always send you teasers showing famous relatives of yours to motivate you to take part. Usually celebrities, presidents, royals, inventors and explorers.
Some of the relatives they tell you about are surprising. I laughed when they just told me I was related to Bob Ross of happy little tree fame.
Here's the current 12 they sent me.
"Susan B. Anthony
My 7th cousin six times removed
Susan B. Anthony
USA
American civil rights and women’s rights activist; leader in the women’s suffrage movement.
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Abraham Lincoln
My 9th cousin five times removed
Abraham Lincoln
USA
16th US president, in office during the US Civil War; issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
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Elvis Presley
My 9th cousin once removed
Elvis Presley
USA
This American singer and actor became a worldwide sensation known as the “King of Rock and Roll.”
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Emily Dickinson
My 9th cousin five times removed
Emily Dickinson
USA
Early American poet from Massachusets and an important figure in American poetry.
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Ginger Rogers
My 9th cousin once removed
Ginger Rogers
USA
American actress, dancer, and singer known for her partnership with Fred Astaire in classic Hollywood musicals.
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Helen Keller
My 9th cousin five times removed
Helen Keller
USA
Famous American author, disability rights advocate, and political activist who was born both deaf and blind.
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John Wayne
My 9th cousin four times removed
John Wayne
USA
American actor famous during the golden age of Hollywood; known for his role in western and war films.
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Wilbur Wright
My 9th cousin five times removed
Wilbur Wright
USA
American inventor; designed, built, and flew the first airplane with his brother Orville.
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Bob Ross
My 10th cousin twice removed
Bob Ross
USA
Remembered as an American painter, art instructor, and television host.
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Dwight D. Eisenhower
My 10th cousin four times removed
Dwight D. Eisenhower
USA
The 34th US president. Best known for his military contributions during World War II.
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Franklin D. Roosevelt
My 10th cousin three times removed
Franklin D. Roosevelt
USA
32nd President of the United States, in office during the Great Depression and World War II.
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Fred Rogers
My 10th cousin twice removed
Fred Rogers
USA
Notable American television host of the TV series Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.
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Muhammad Ali
My 10th cousin three times removed
Muhammad Ali
USA
American professional boxer, activist, and philanthropist. Widely considered the greatest boxer of all time.
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Walt Disney
My 10th cousin four times removed
Walt Disney
USA
American animator, film producer, and business pioneer in family friendly entertainment.
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Grace Kelly
My 11th cousin twice removed
Grace Kelly
USA
American actress who became Princess Grace of Monaco after marrying Prince Rainier III.
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Lucille Ball
My 11th cousin twice removed
Lucille Ball
USA
American comedienne, producer, star of “I Love Lucy,” and a pioneer in the television industry.
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Winston Churchill
My 11th cousin three times removed
Winston Churchill
UK
Prime minister of the United Kingdom during World War II. Known for his inspirational speeches.
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Judy Garland
My 12th cousin twice removed
Judy Garland
USA
Beloved American actress and singer, famous for her role as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz.
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Queen Elizabeth II
My 12th cousin twice removed
Queen Elizabeth II
UK
Ruled for over 50 years, guiding the UK and other realms through significant social and political change.
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Princess Diana
My 13th cousin
Princess Diana
UK
Thrust into public life by marrying Prince Charles, she become widely known for her style and activism."
They have been telling me 12 relatives every few days and have more on their site. Johnny Carson, George Carlin, Robin Williams, Martin Luther and all the presidents are relatives. Likely almost everyone on Trapperman is traceably related too.
Classius Clay, Mohamed Ali, and I are both descended from John Smith, who was saved by Pochahontas, and many others of the first US settlers of Jamestown in 1607. My 11th great grandmother, Joanne Pierce, Ali's aunt, married Pochahontas's husband John Rolfe, after Pochahontas's death. They owned the first commercial tobacco farm in the World. We are descended from her earlier husband. Our many great grandfather British Admiral, Sir John Hawkins started the triangle slave trade, brought the first African slaves to the New World and brought the first tobacco to Europe. He was also the richest man in the world, an international spy, the first Pirate of the Caribbean, the first cousin and life long companion of Admiral, Sir Francis Drake and a bar room brawler, who killed a man with a punch. Another many great grandfather of ours, Captain William Pierce, owned some of the first slaves in the US.
If you are interested in genealogy you should check out
www.familysearch.org It's free, informative and entertaining.
Keith