Thread: Famous Ancestors?

Gordy100 · 01-09-2006, 02:40 PM

I was just wondering - does anyone here have anyone famous in their tree?

My great-grandfather John Kerr was a master blacksmith and appears in a poem called "The Sailors Prize" by James Crighton. Seemingly, he had a knack of "clinking" out rhymes as he was hammering.

tanjat67 · 14-06-2008, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordy100

I was just wondering - does anyone here have anyone famous in their tree?

My great-grandfather John Kerr was a master blacksmith and appears in a poem called "The Sailors Prize" by James Crighton. Seemingly, he had a knack of "clinking" out rhymes as he was hammering.

I have a James Bloodworth who is my 5th great grand uncle that was sent to Australia for stealling something in England

Kelly · 14-06-2008, 07:55 AM

hi Guys,

When i was growing up we were always told that we were related to John Knox the reformer, how true this is no-one knows lol.
John Knox had 2 sons which died (apparently) without having any children.
He then married again and had 2 daughters.
When ive done some reading on the internet, people say that whoever think they are related to john knox cannot be directly related to him but more than likely are a decendant of his brother William Knox.
I dont know how close i will get to him but i will try but at the moment i have a major brickwall, which i have to knock down

PamelaP · 14-06-2008, 10:52 AM

I've found out that Gladys Aylward's mother was a Wiskin. I haven't managed to link her yet, but the spelling (Wiskin) and place of birth are right for my rellies, so you never know.

Pam

Kate · 15-06-2008, 12:17 AM

Family history has it that Archbishop Daniel Mannix (Archbishop of Melbourne) is related to my Cummins family. It goes that my Great Grand Aunt Anastasia Renshaw (nee Cummins) sent a telegram to Daniel Mannix telling (not asking) him to come from Melbourne to Orange (country NSW) to baptize her grandson who was being named after him. Daniel Mannix is the officiating priest on Kevin William Mannix Renshaw's baptism certificate. Not an easy task in 1923 for a very busy man like the Archbishop of Melbourne. No planes to catch but a journey of many days each way by steam train. Not something you would do for a friend of the family but that you would do for a close relative. Anastasia was born in 1852 in Australia and Daniel was born in 1864 in County Cork Ireland. Anastasia father came from Cashel County Tipperary not that far from the Mannix home in Cork so we think the relationship is back there. Have not been able to find it yet.

PamelaP · 15-06-2008, 11:46 AM

What an interesting piece of your history Kate. I love reading things like that about my family too.

Pam

misty · 15-06-2008, 03:06 PM

I can't find any famous ancestors on my side but on my husband's side I've found one who is not so much famous but you may have seen some of his work if you've ever watched a history programme about British India in the mid 1800's.

His name was John Nicholas Tresidder and he was a surgeon and a gifted amateur photographer. During my research I found a website belonging to the Alkazi Foundation for the Arts in New Delhi. They have in their possession a photograph album which once belonged to hubby's great, great grandfather. The head of the Foundation, Mr. Alkazi says it is a priceless historical document. He himself is famous in India as a film director and founder of India's National School of Drama.

My husband was ecstatic when I showed him the site and he saw a photograph of his great grandfather for the first time.

misty · 15-06-2008, 04:27 PM

I've just remembered something else about hubby's family. His seventh great grandfather, James Genn, was a surveyor in Virginia in the 17th century. He had an assistant who learned the art of land survey from him. This assistant was a young man by the name of George Washington.

Flood · 16-06-2008, 01:30 PM

I don't know if this counts, but my grandfather grew up with Bill and Jon Pertwee. They lived in the same village together.

Sally

01-09-2006, 02:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
Gordy100 New Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Fife, Scotland Posts: 17	Famous Ancestors? I was just wondering - does anyone here have anyone famous in their tree? My great-grandfather John Kerr was a master blacksmith and appears in a poem called "The Sailors Prize" by James Crighton. Seemingly, he had a knack of "clinking" out rhymes as he was hammering.
	Regards and best wishes, Gordy100

14-06-2008, 07:55 AM	#3 (permalink)
Kelly Ancestry Aid Owner Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: UK - England Posts: 1,658	Re: Famous Ancestors? hi Guys, When i was growing up we were always told that we were related to John Knox the reformer, how true this is no-one knows lol. John Knox had 2 sons which died (apparently) without having any children. He then married again and had 2 daughters. When ive done some reading on the internet, people say that whoever think they are related to john knox cannot be directly related to him but more than likely are a decendant of his brother William Knox. I dont know how close i will get to him but i will try but at the moment i have a major brickwall, which i have to knock down
	Kelly Ancestry Aid Owner

14-06-2008, 10:52 AM	#4 (permalink)
PamelaP Advanced Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Suffolk England Posts: 247 Total Awards: 2	Re: Famous Ancestors? I've found out that Gladys Aylward's mother was a Wiskin. I haven't managed to link her yet, but the spelling (Wiskin) and place of birth are right for my rellies, so you never know. Pam
	Pam - Researching, Whisken, Wisken, Wiskin, Barker,Saville,Woodley, Auger, Salmon, Taylor, Turner, Pearson,Claydon/en, and many more. From - London, Essex, Suffolk, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and America

15-06-2008, 12:17 AM	#5 (permalink)
Kate Advanced Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 312 Total Awards: 3	Re: Famous Ancestors? Family history has it that Archbishop Daniel Mannix (Archbishop of Melbourne) is related to my Cummins family. It goes that my Great Grand Aunt Anastasia Renshaw (nee Cummins) sent a telegram to Daniel Mannix telling (not asking) him to come from Melbourne to Orange (country NSW) to baptize her grandson who was being named after him. Daniel Mannix is the officiating priest on Kevin William Mannix Renshaw's baptism certificate. Not an easy task in 1923 for a very busy man like the Archbishop of Melbourne. No planes to catch but a journey of many days each way by steam train. Not something you would do for a friend of the family but that you would do for a close relative. Anastasia was born in 1852 in Australia and Daniel was born in 1864 in County Cork Ireland. Anastasia father came from Cashel County Tipperary not that far from the Mannix home in Cork so we think the relationship is back there. Have not been able to find it yet.

15-06-2008, 11:46 AM	#6 (permalink)
PamelaP Advanced Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Suffolk England Posts: 247 Total Awards: 2	Re: Famous Ancestors? What an interesting piece of your history Kate. I love reading things like that about my family too. Pam
	Pam - Researching, Whisken, Wisken, Wiskin, Barker,Saville,Woodley, Auger, Salmon, Taylor, Turner, Pearson,Claydon/en, and many more. From - London, Essex, Suffolk, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and America

15-06-2008, 03:06 PM	#7 (permalink)
misty New Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Liverpool Posts: 20	Re: Famous Ancestors? I can't find any famous ancestors on my side but on my husband's side I've found one who is not so much famous but you may have seen some of his work if you've ever watched a history programme about British India in the mid 1800's. His name was John Nicholas Tresidder and he was a surgeon and a gifted amateur photographer. During my research I found a website belonging to the Alkazi Foundation for the Arts in New Delhi. They have in their possession a photograph album which once belonged to hubby's great, great grandfather. The head of the Foundation, Mr. Alkazi says it is a priceless historical document. He himself is famous in India as a film director and founder of India's National School of Drama. My husband was ecstatic when I showed him the site and he saw a photograph of his great grandfather for the first time.

15-06-2008, 04:27 PM	#8 (permalink)
misty New Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Liverpool Posts: 20	Re: Famous Ancestors? I've just remembered something else about hubby's family. His seventh great grandfather, James Genn, was a surveyor in Virginia in the 17th century. He had an assistant who learned the art of land survey from him. This assistant was a young man by the name of George Washington.

16-06-2008, 01:30 PM	#9 (permalink)
Flood AA SUPPORTER Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: A great place in Devon called Tiverton. Posts: 4,639 Total Awards: 4	Re: Famous Ancestors? I don't know if this counts, but my grandfather grew up with Bill and Jon Pertwee. They lived in the same village together. Sally