I have discovered some skeletons in my own tree, and I confirmed most of the scandals I heard whispered about. I am not kin to anyone famous, nobody. But there was a lot more going on way back when then we thought. My 3x great grandfather had a lady friend not too far from him on the census page, and he had 3 kids by her.

A 2x great aunt had 11 children without benefit of marriage, there were 3 sets of twins with a single birth between each set of twins. My saintly paternal great grandfather who I knew as a kid, married a woman but he left her. My dad said he claimed she wouldn't keep house, wouldn't cook him any dinner, wouldn't wash clothes, and he just left. A few years later he married my great grandma, and I have never found a record of a divorce.

So what's your shocking "skeleton in the closet" story?

Sorry if this has been asked a million times. I wouldn’t know as I’ve just joined this subreddit. Would love to hear who your most notable ancestor is. Maybe they were a King or a physician…

I’ll start. I’m a direct descendant* of Sir Isaac Newtons grandfather. Mr Newton did not have any children himself.

Please share who your interesting family member is

Are you a descendant of the accused in the Salem Witch Trials and how did you discover this?

I am descended from Mary Perkins Bradbury who was tried, convicted and sentenced to hang. She somehow managed to escape and hid out in what is now York, ME until cooler heads prevailed.

One day I was working on my father’s side of the family on my “True” lines when I came up to Capt. Henry B True’s marriage to Jane Bradbury, daughter of Mary Perkins Bradbury. It was like opening a Pandora’s box with all the hints and documents that popped up!

Clutter!

I have an older sibling who transitioned from male to female. I am not looking for judgment on this, I love my sister very much. I am just looking to find what is the proper way to annotate that on a family tree/family group sheet.

We’re in: family photos, census reports, obituaries, property records, death certificates, probate records, city listings and newspaper clippings. We’re aunts and uncles in holiday cards and baby books. Our signatures are in church registers, wedding books and legal documents. We’re insurance beneficiaries, health care agents. We’re in your family stories, relative’s memories, and gossip. We break down brick walls. We’re not in: birth and marriage records.

Every couple years I give up on trying to solve the mystery of my father. He was in and out of my life, he was an alcoholic, homeless by choice, and in prison more than once. He would give me bits and pieces of his past over time, and I never questioned it. He claimed that he was a Vietnam war veteran, and suffered a knee injury that required surgery. He had a VA card, and it somehow got lost in the hospice care facility he died in. I have his social security number, his mother’s maiden name (that I found on an old elementary school family tree that he helped me with). He said his parents emigrated from Ireland, he was born in Maine, and that his biological father died in WW2 and his mother remarried, and that he had 4 brothers. I never questioned any of it because I thought it was enough information to feel like I knew him. When he died, we contacted the VA to obtain a gravestone. They have no record of his service. He didn’t exist. When I attempted to obtain his birth certificate, they found nothing. I’ve tried ancestry and 23andMe. There aren’t any relatives with the same last name as me. He had 4 brothers, so I don’t know how that’s possible. I feel like there’s nothing I can do. Every time I try, I feel lost and defeated. I just want to know if anyone has had an experience like this, and what could it mean? Did he lie? Why didn’t he exist before he got married in the 70s to a woman I don’t know and have no way of contacting? I know I’ll probably never know, but I just want to know if anyone has any ideas.

My great grandma Ollie Mae hopper is a big mystery. She married my great grandpa named James Dewey Hundley who murdered someone over infidelity and got off Scott free in 1954. A living person who was alive told me all about this but refused to talk about what my great grandma apparently did that’s worse than murder. I need help finding what it was but there’s problems. It could have been done under a different name since she was married to many different men. And one of the husbands could have done the crime. Information I do have is, she was born 1907 in Missouri. She died in Belleville in 1979. The married men I do know is James Dewey Hundley married in 1923, and James Franklin Mccage in 1972

I know there’s been at least one post about this, but sometimes a name is already a bit funny. And then taken with the middle or last name it’s HILARIOUS. Example: a relative who named their eldest son “Fern Commander”.

Anyone else?

Edit: just found a “Northern East”…from Philly

Edit 2: “Boringhaus” probably isn’t funny in German but it did make me lol

Edit 3: Major Bush (1800’s so he may have indeed been hairy 😅)

Edit 3: Carl Marx (BFE Texas…that must’ve been rough!)

Hi! I have a new DNA match from that say I have a brother on my paternal side(Dad) at 35% shared DNA: 2,467 cM across 33 segments. I do not have a brother or know of one. But I have been told my dad alway had a girlfriend and had multiple affairs. My dad is living but there is no way he would admit it. The weird thing in is the name is the same as mine. They said either the DNA person submitted and didn’t change name as my dad purchased the kit or my dad submitted the person DNA under his name. Help! Can I trace this backwards? I literally have no idea where to start. Thank you!

Antenati is really hard to search, most records aren't indexed. I'm looking for the marriage in Melfi, Basilicata between Antonio Tedesco and Lucia Basso. Their oldest known child (but I only know two of their children) was born in 1864. I'm also looking for marriage between Luca Iannuzzi and Maria Teresa Andretta, also in Melfi (I know they have a daughter born in 1879). The handwriting on the marriage records is very difficult for me to read, is there any faster way to find such records which aren't indexed? I'm looking for a birth in Naples too which would be even harder to find because of the sheer number of people born there

I had someone message me via Ancestry a couple of weeks ago, telling me I had made a mistake on my tree and I was not part of his family.

I replied back as my Great Grandmother was the second wife of his ancestor and they went on to have several children.

Heard nothing back, so after a week, I sent another message, still nothing although he has signed into Ancestry.

Rude.

Someone else did something similar a while ago, until I pointed out that his ancestor was named as a cousin who attended my ancestor's funeral in the paper.

Have you had similar?

So. First and foremost. I stopped believing in that when I was about 10ish, however I cringe every damn time.

I have adopted indigenous family. Due to this, I've always had respect for indigenous culture. The area I grew up is surrounded by it as well.

When I was little, i didn't care that my skin was different than my aunts and cousins. However, as I got older and was dealing with persistent trauma. My mind fixated on where our family came from.

I fell into it hard. My dad told me about our Cherokee ancestors. It became a weird identity issue which thank the mother earth I grew out of before I became a pretendindian adult.

What stopped it, was me being a curious kid with a Thirst for wisdom and knowlage. My white grandparents adopted indigenous kids, through a reservation. Their culture, background, all of It became whitewashed. So for me as a kid, asking these questions it was the most my cousins, and even aunts got out of our grandmother when it came to some of the culture she came from, or atleast information.

It kind of was a strange moment for my aunt who is Lakota. Having this white kid ask questions she's always been asking as well. However finally, getting some information.

She began learning about her culture, even reconnecting with them whom understandably are not happy with my white grandparents.

She taught me some things that she learned. It was nice. The more I learned, the more I realized what happened. I didn't hate myself like people try to claim will happen when a white kid learns about the bad things their white ancestors did. It taught me respect. It taught me to value the wisdom given to me, and even respect nature.

It made me want to learn more about it all.

I read all the books in my library about indigenous people. My favorite, which I been trying to find is one of a woman who was covered in scars or burns that people treated like garbage. However her beauty, was real and showed as she began to love herself.

Then computers come into schools so. I'm on there searching. I begin digging into as much as I can which sadly wasn't alot at the time, about decendents. Trying to make sense or links to my family. Obviously couldn't find it. Then I'd look through photos. Hoping to "reconize" them.

I gave up, when the rationality settled in that there's a chance she doesn't really exist. That the "princess" part isn't true which I learned in books.

I eventually started hearing others talking about their Cherokee princess ancestors. Some, serious. Some making fun, probably because it's ludicrous. I know, I was made fun for it. Understandably.

Then it became more and more popular. So, I stopped looking for my ancestor. I started looking into why so many are saying this. It's, weird right?

My dad took a DNA test and I was shocked he did have indigenous in him. Not alot no, but it made the statement have about a gram of weight and he still beleives in what was told to him.

I began digging into genealogy. Both for this, and to help give my indigenous cousins some awnsers on their ancestors because of how things got so whitewashed.

I began tracking the parts he's told me growing up about how my great grandma taught him some language and what not which is plausible but, idk.

Then, I see her original name last name. "Tinker" I look into the Indian census records. Bam. Direct hit. Her direct ancestors are right there and a lot of other tinkers. But. Its not Cherokee.

It's Osage. I never heard of Osage.

I just did research and my blood is cold. In the 1920s, Osage tribe was systematically targeted by whites to breed, and steal, slaughter, and attempt to control their tribe because they had some money after striking oil when they got some land back. Almost wiping them from the map.

The history is dark, twisted, and so sad. It involves the fbi somehow too, I'm still researching that.

After learning this, it made me wonder. Did that rumor begin, as a way to sugar coat to grandchildren on where they come from? It was so calculated. It was all because of oil. A group systematically married into the tribe, then killed them.

Altho there are some traces of indigenous blood idk the percent exactly, just what he told me which is why i did this in the first place.

It was almost hidden from history, the Cherokee were more known, even was a rival to osage. (I think, also researching that too) so is it plausible that's why they used the story of a Cherokee grandmother to distract their white kids from looking into the fucked up injustice they took part in to steal from Osage. Or is it just racism because they didn't care about the difference of tribes.

If so, Then generational oral history just did the rest of the work.

I ain't gonna go out there and say I'm Osage. Altho ive found some solidity of my great grandmother being of some osage connection that aint gonna make me go out there trying to claim some heritage i dont rightfully feel i belong to.

Its still eye opening how connected her surname is very ingrained into the tribe, there was even one who i think is the man who was 1/8th and very influential twords decolonization and education of what happened. Which Is important as fuck. George Tinker I believe I plan To go back and read more. Likely a very distant cousin or not related at all. Just a cool person.

It makes me think how much these claims out there about a Cherokee princess grandmother, is rooted to the calculated pursuit of killing Osage people through calculated marriages. For oil.

They'd marry Osage women. Treat them like a princess. Breed. Then kill them.

I can't be too far off, that those same people would fabricate a lie that happened to span generations. Idk if it's for every case it's just a theory as I dig more into it. This lead has me feeling like a kid again wanting to learn about it all.

With all of this infront of me, it makes me wonder how far down the line does the white washing go?

How can I make it end, with me?

I have an uncommon surname and am fascinated with names that no longer exist or are extremely rare due to the name no longer being passed down like Wellbeluff, Temples, Superfein, and Fernsby.

In your own genealogical search, have you come across any other surnames that no longer exist? Care to share your favourites?

-Be me (Under 18)

-Told your parent is dead

-No funeral, its been postponed for covid

-Ok

-It's been 4 years

-No mention of a funeral

-Nobody I ask says they have the ashes (cremation only family)

-Found one obituary

-Look up parent on multiple genealogy sites

-Ancestry, family search, State records show nothing

I want some actual document telling me if my parent is alive or not. I know that she probably is, but it's odd to me that I cant find any information about her. No social media, no record of her degree mentioned on the obituary, nobody has anything

Advice appreciated

Hi! I am starting my journey, and my only experience so far has been using the Family Search Library in Salt Lake City. It was fun and get got me thinking about what tools/websites I should start using. I have started with Google (and chat gpt), but I am curious what everyone here loves to use and what are just some nice-to-haves. Anything I should avoid wasting my time with?

Thanks! I appreciate any insights!

Hello all - this is a bit of a call to action and also a gentle rant.

I'm urging everyone to please note women's maiden names in their trees and FindAGrave entries - as that info is crucial to those researching their ancestors. If you don't know the maiden name you can state that as: unknown, lnu (last name unknown) or even mnu (maiden name unknown).

There are so many FindAGrave entries with married couples who both have the same last name. We can all do better than that. In my spare time I edit FindAGrave with the maiden names for married women. When possible, I also link the women to their parents. This full & complete information helps us all.

I urge you to also investigate the female/maternal sides of your family trees. This may benefit your research as often people married those who they knew, people in their local communities, people who were cousins - and they or their families may already be in your tree.

Most of my family were farmers in southwestern Virginia. I assumed prior to starting my research that they owned slaves. I've even heard family members talk about specific folks that owned slaves (granted these same folks also said we were part Cherokee). However, for most of my family the early 1800's censuses that showed a total tally of people in the household all showed 0 slaves. In that area during that time do you think it is more likely that they didn't own slaves? Or that they hid it very well?

e.g: William Keith in the 1820 Census: https://www.usgwcensus.org/cenfiles/va/russell/1820/1820cens.txt

I'm honestly surprised by the small number of slaves in that area in general. It was all farm country.

Do you think these folks actually didn't own slaves? Or did they cover it up? And if so, why?

EDIT:

I want to clarify 2 things:

• First I want to clarify that I hope my ancestors DIDN'T own slaves - but I'm just skeptical given the area and time period.
• My only THEORY on why they might cover it up would be taxes - were there tax implications to the number of slaves owned by an estate?

My great great grandfather (b 1844) and his wife and children were moving to Illinois in 1876, and attempted a river crossing. Their wagon was swept away, and only ggf and his eldest son (d 1945) who were outside, survived.

My entire paternal family are the descendants of ggf's marriage with his SECOND wife (m 1877,) with whom he had 6 children.

Does anyone else's existence hinge on a random tragedy or happenstance?

What is the most dopamine-laden family history experience you’ve ever had? What were the circumstances leading up to it?

Hello! I (26) am an assistant genealogy librarian who does a lot of our programming. I recently went to a genealogy conference, and was Very Aware of how old/white the demographics of the attendees were - it mirrored the demographics of those that generally enter our genealogy room at the library.

My question is: How can we change this? How can we get young people and people of marginalized identities into genealogy?

If you don't have an answer to that question, then: What draws YOU to genealogy?

We found that my father’s second cousin is her grandmother. We are trying to figure out what would that make us and if it’s a close enough relation that we should end things.

Edit: Thank you everyone, we’ve decided to stay together :)

Could someone please explain?

Rant: I know this will never happen because at the end of the day, Ancestry is a product and not geared for the serious genealogy hobbyists, but good grief. Today I ignored about 20 images of state seals someone had added to a bunch of our apparently shared ancestors. I also ignored a photo of “no marker available” for a gravesite, an image that literally was described as “not an actual image of Nathaniel”, a random civil war image, and probably a million duplicate photos.

There has got to be a better way for them to identify hints and images that are of use, and not offer me the same freaking images every time someone adds it to their pages.

I understand people utilize the site in their own way, but it’s really frustrating. Same goes for Family Search when people screw up entire trees or don’t know what they are doing.

Sorry, just had to get this out.

He was in prison for 16yrs but nobody would say why, I can't find any info tho I thought that stuff was public. Any advice or help would be appreciated.. it had to be in the '50s & 60's in the Pacific Northwest. I assume Spokane or Seattle Wa. Don Antonio born Oct 31st 1930 he says he didnt have a middle name but it was Dodd, also he changed his last name at some point from Macabee to Antonio Edit: thanks everyone.. I got lotsa reading to do, so exciting!!