👪 There have been a few surprises in the family tree lately...
When I started this, my original plan was to learn something about my paternal side about which I knew little. My mother's first husband contributed to my conception but provided no support and nothing in the way of a paternal relationship. My mother always felt lucky to have gotten out of that marriage and beyond sharing a few details about that time, never mentioned him or wanted anything to do with anyone associated with him. The marriage foundered quickly. Left with the sole custody of an infant daughter, my mother, at just 21, had far more important tasks confronting her.
The last memories I have of seeing him or his mother I was not quite six. After the age of eight or nine, trips to see relatives other than the grandparents with whom I spent my childhood, were rare. I have cousins in every line of my tree I've never met. I've spoken with two recently and neither is interested in any further contact. The half-siblings from two subsequent paternal marriages and I have little in common beyond a social media connection.
I began this tree not knowing my paternal grandmother's maiden name. I've learned so much since that it boggles the mind. Newspapers offer a trove of information as do census records and wills if read carefully. Secrets and surprises may await.
This week, courtesy of my paternal great grandmother's line, I traced back to a six times great grandfather who came from Scotland, fought in the American Revolution, apparently served with Light Horse Harry Lee and married an Ann Lee of North Carolina subsequently. In the same line, a son married into the Carlton family, giving me yet another set of ancestors previously unknown.
There are of course my maternal grandmother's birthright Quakers, an interesting contrast to all the warring, land-grabbing and slave-holding.
More research pending...