When this project began as an exploration into American history to coincide with our nation’s semiquincentennial, I expected to uncover dates, timelines, and broad historical context. I did not expect it to become a personal family history journey.
Hidden away on this website are the lineage connections I’ve discovered over the course of this research:
- George Washington – 6th cousin, 7 times removed
- John Adams – 2nd cousin, 8 times removed
- Thomas Jefferson – 6th cousin, 7 times removed
- Elizabeth Jackson – 5th cousin, 10 times removed
- Elizabeth Powel – 4th cousin, 7 times removed
- Benjamin Franklin – 4th cousin, 11 times removed
- Isaiah Thomas – 6th cousin, 8 times removed
- Samuel Adams – 3rd cousin, 7 times removed
- Alexander Hamilton – 3rd cousin, 8 times removed
- Noah Warner – 5th great-grandfather
- Samuel Kendall – 5th great-grandfather
- William Billings – 4th cousin, 10 times removed
- Martha Washington – 4th cousin, 9 times removed
- Abigail Adams – 3rd cousin, 9 times removed
- James Madison – 4th cousin, 9 times removed
- James Monroe – 6th cousin, 7 times removed
- John Quincy Adams – 6th cousin, 7 times removed
- Andrew Jackson – 6th cousin, 9 times removed
- John Hancock – 3rd cousin, 11 times removed
- Patrick Henry – 4th cousin, 7 times removed
- Richard Henry Lee – 6th cousin, 6 times removed
- Roger Sherman – 4th cousin, 10 times removed
- Paul Revere – 4th cousin, 8 times removed
- Joseph Warren – 4th cousin, 8 times removed
- Horatio Gates – 5th cousin, 9 times removed
Quiet Reminder of Obligation
Looking at the list—tracing lines back to founding fathers and well-known patriots, as well as direct forebears like Noah Warner and Samuel Kendall—it would be easy for some to view these names as mere bragging rights.
They are not.
Rather than serving as badges of distinction, to me these connections serve as a quiet reminder of obligation. Realizing that I share blood with these individuals brings a profound realization: I share a family obligation to pursue the same objectives they lived and sacrificed for. Their lives were defined by a commitment to foundational principles, and recognizing my relationship to them is a call to honor those ideals in our own time.
Shared American Heritage
In my family history research and through talking with many others about their own ancestry, I’ve learned an encouraging truth: there are millions of people in the United States today who share similar pedigrees. Tens of millions of Americans possess ancestral relations to the influential figures, founders, and everyday patriots who shaped our nation’s history.
My sense is that if learning about these relationships has been so transformative for me, perhaps others may have a similar experience when they discover theirs. It doesn't cost any money to find out—just some time that may prove very worthwhile. Who knows what such discoveries could bring about in your own life? I certainly had no idea what I would find in my own case, but it has been a tremendously interesting and rewarding journey.
A Complex Tapestry of Ancestry
To be sure, the road hasn't been entirely pristine. Along the way, I've uncovered relatives and stories that are, shall we say, less than inspirational, and sometimes even tragic. But those chapters are nonetheless part of my family story, and they are educational in their own ways, helping illustrate genuine, unvarnished human experiences. Whether our ancestors were famous founders or ordinary people navigating extraordinary times, uncovering their stories can enrich our lives and highlight the shared human fabric that binds us all.
Suggested Genealogy Resources
My personal connections were brought to light thanks to the extensive genealogical records and research tools curated by FamilySearch.org, which is free for anyone to use. If you haven't yet taken a similar step, I invite you to spend some time exploring your own family history using any of the leading genealogical websites. Here are some suggested resources that may be helpful. Please note that access and plans may change at any time. I have no business or financial relationships with any of them.
FamilySearch (Free): The largest collaborative family tree and a massive, completely free database of billions of historical records, vital statistics, and censuses.
Ancestry.com (Paid): The industry leader for global records, military documents, census data, and automated hints, though it requires a subscription to view full records.
WikiTree (Free): A community-managed, crowdsourced "one-world" family tree with a heavy emphasis on accurate source citations and collaborative research.
MyHeritage (Freemium): A globally popular platform known for its powerful international records and Smart Matching technology (offers a free tier for building a basic tree up to 250 people before requiring a paid plan).
Findmypast (Paid): A premier subscription site that is especially powerful for deep ancestry research in the UK, Ireland, Australia, and other Commonwealth nations.
Find a Grave (Free): A massive, crowdsourced database of cemetery records, headstone photos, and memorial pages that is invaluable for tracking down burial dates and family plots.
You might just find, as I did, that looking backward is one of the best ways to find your footing for the road ahead.
