Who has a surprise connection to an historical figure?

[mofid42]

I've always enjoyed the novels of Jane Austen and would love to find a family connection no matter how distant.....sadly I never have!

Just wondering if any of you have found a unexpected family connection to a well known figure from the past that you have admired?

[KGarrad]

Two in fact!

I found out quite early in my research of the link to John Constable (he of "Haywain" fame!).
His paternal grandmother was a Garrad.

And then, of course WDYTYA shows that Barbara Windsor was also linked!

[mofid42]

...And does painting and acting run in the family?

[RedMystic]

I found out just the other day that my husband's great aunt's son & grandson started the Scottish blood transfusion service in 1930. It's not really fame & glamour, but a wonderful cause just the same.

[mofid42]

That reminds me....I am distantly connected to the man who invented the distemper vaccine for animals. Not bad for a man who's grandmother came from a long line of poor basket makers in Kent. Don't know how the family managed to find the money for him to learn to be a vet unless it was 'on the job' training as he started as a vets assistant

[Rishile]

I have a connection with George Edalji who was the first black man to be sucessfully cleared of charges brought about due to racism in the UK.  His case was taken up by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.  Unfortunately, he never received any compensation from the state.

There is even an book written about the case.

Rishile

[millymcb]

My grandmother's cousin played football for England in 1903

Must have been really exciting for the family at the time.

Milly

[Latchfordian]

My G-G-Grandparents Peter Richardson and Elizabeth Owen were married in 1841 at Daresbury Parish Church in Cheshire by the perpetual curate Charles Dodgson.  Reverend Dodgson's son was also called Charles Dodgson, better known by his pen-name of Lewis Carroll ....... author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and other stories and poems.  Not much of a claim to fame I admit but the best I've found in my research so far! 

Jim

[angelfish58]

  Reverend Dodgson's son was also called Charles Dodgson, better known by his pen-name of Lewis Carroll ....... author of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and other stories and poems. 
Jim

My 3x great grandfather was butler for Rev. James Dalton who was rector at Croft before the Rev Dodgson. Do I win a prize for a tenuous connection?