Ancestral brushes with the rich or famous

[stonechat]

IS this Niiall Quinn the footballer?

 

[wheeldon]

Hi Patty, I have just posted a topic about this subject in The Common Room as it also makes me very annoyed.  I have had to unsubscribe from mailing lists due to the amount of "rubbish" I receive about DNA testing.  It's a shame as I  do like to keep an eye on the forums and mailing lists as I find it an absolute joy when I find a member of my family, however distant.  Funnily enough I also have Quinn in my tree but I haven't yet begun to research this family.  When I do at least I will know what to expect!

[1000xlch]

Hi

Ancestral brush is a relation on my partners side of the family to Tolkien (though not direct to JRR himself)

One of Anthony Trollope's lady companions as well.

Cheers

John Rowley

[philipsearching]

My great aunt Norah Ruth Cordner James was a novelist.  She wrote a novel entitled "Sleeveless Errand" in 1929 which was banned in England after a prosecution at Bow Street.  She followed this up in 1932 with "Tinkle the Cat" - an animal story with illustrations.  Her later novels were apparently more conventional.

There can't be that many novelists who wrote both "obscenity" and a children's story.

As a matter of curiosity, the prosecution was mainly for foul language rather than indecency - but I've seen worse language in some of the census surnames!

Philip

[JenClark]

Got a couple actually..

One of my ancestors the Reverend Robert Stainton (who was on his own a pretty famous preacher in his day in Sheffield) married the neice of Michael Faraday - the famous chemist. She was apparently present when he was offered and turned down a knighthood 

Also I am the 8th cousin of the current Queen of Sweden  Sylvia Renate Sommerlath who married the King of Sweden HM Carl XVI Gustaf Folke Hubertus Bernadotte

I really like my German heritage

I have often wondered about sending her a letter to see if I got a response, after all I have conversed with, visited and become friends with various other rellies that are far more distantly related than we are!

Never know one day I might try it 

Jenny

[DianaCanada]

Recently found my great-great grandmother's husband (and he might possibly be an ancestor) was a potter's lad in Lambeth in 1851.  In 1861 he was a groom in the household of one of the Doulton's - you know, those folk who make the odd dish or two.
My great-great uncle was a valet - my dad said he was working at Windsor Castle during WWII, and another relative told me he had worked at Sandringham as well.

[linmey]

My great grandfather was a farmer in Huntingdonshire and George V and his sons used to hunt on his land. ( I hope they asked his permission, but I guess you didnt say no in those days)
             Last year I was solemnly presented with a dinner plate by my mother which has become a family heirloom. It is supposed to be a plate from the dinner service that my great great grandmother used when the King and his sons dined with them.
             Dont suppose I will ever be able to check that one out!!!
                        Linmey.

[ladybird]

My great aunt was lady's maid to the Princess Dogaruki who excaped from Russian Revolution, she was living at Braemar Castle.
An ancester of the Dogarukis founded Moscow way back when.
Sylvia

[casliber]

My great great grandfather was a journalist and editor of newspapers Rockhampton, Perth and Sydney as well as a member of parliament in Kalgoorlie, WA in 1902.

He was from Aberdeen and said the most impressive person he ever interviewed was George Bernard Shaw, and while he was interviewing him he noticed he Shaw had a portrait of Nietzche on his mantlepiece.

He said Burns was the best thing that ever happened to Scotland and John Knox was the worst...

One of the issues of the Sydney Newspaper he wrote had a congratualtory letter about his column from Billy Hughes (then prime minister)

I am also about a 4th cousin once removed from Kirsty Wark and my great-great-great gandmothers nephew is an artist of note named Arthur Quartley (google images will show some paintings)
Cas
Cas