My Cousin the Queen Celebrates Her Platinum Jubilee

As this weekend’s celebration of Queen Elizabeth 70 years on the throne wind down, I decided to check out Wikitree’s Connection Finder to see if and how they say I am related to the crown jewels.

My fav tiara!  https://pin.it/4cJMItk

The shortest distance between myself and the Queen is on my dad’s side, but the connections are not all blood related and include Wallis Simpson so doubt there is any tiara borrowing options with this connection.

Now my mom’s side is interesting.  Wikitree says Queen Elizabeth II and I are 12 cousins twice removed. 

I would think a 12^th cousin should at least be granted an overnighter in one of the lesser castles, a private showing of the crown jewels and a photo op wearing ones tiara of choice.

God Save the Queen!

Happy Heavenly Birthday to my 3rd Great Grandma

Happy 139^th Heavenly Birthday to my 3^rd great grandma Mary AnnWoodward.

Mary Ann Woodward was born on June 3, 1839, in Abergavenny in the coal mining area of Monmouthshire,Wales. Her parents John and Sarah Price Woodward married at 17. Mary Ann was the second of their five children.  Mary Ann’s time in Wales was as turbulent as it is sad. Her education was lacking, she never learned to read or write. Her sister died before her first birthday. Mom Sarah died when Mary Ann was 11, her father died a scant two years later, leaving Mary Ann and her siblings orphans. The eldest, her brother William remained in Wales working as a puddler [Puddling is a process converting pig iron into wrought iron with the use of a furnace]. I haven’t been able to trace sister Emma after her parents died.  Mary Ann left the coal region of Wales for the coal region of Pennsylvania. There she reunited with her younger sister SarahMaria Armstrong.

Mary Ann married an Irish coal worker, Thomas Forbes in 1855 in Schuylkill County, PA. They had eight children: Bridget [my 2^nd great grandma], Catherine, John Patrick, Mary Anna Fisher, Thomas Jr, Ellen Purcell, James and Michael Henry.  

During the Civil War many miners including Thomas moved their families to the Shamokin area for work. The late 1870s were difficult times as the country reset itself following the war while railroad and mining management/labor unrest grew. In 1877 the first major uprisingin Shamokin took place, leaving miners like Thomas once again unemployed with little or no resources at their disposal. Daughter Bridget presented her parents with their first grandchild. Little Emma lived with her grandparents for her first few years of her life as shown in the 1880census.

Mary Ann like her parents, died an early death. She passed on March 13, 1884, in Shamokin, Pennsylvania, at the age of 44, and was buried in St Edwards Cemetery.

HIS STORY SPEAKS TO US: HONORING BLACK REVOLUTIONARY WAR SOLDIER OLIVER CROMWELL

Revolutionary War Soldier Oliver Cromwell had 14 children and a multitude of great grandchildren. Wednesday he will be honored at his home; the event will be is teeming with his descendants, modern day neighbors, and history enthusiasts. The City of Burlington and the New Jersey State Society Daughters of the American Revolution [DAR] will co-host the unveiling of the Commemorative Bronze Marker for the "Original Home of Revolutionary War Soldier - Private Oliver Cromwell" at 10am, Wednesday, April 27, 2022, at the 100 block East Union St in Burlington, New Jersey.

DAR’s mission is to raise the visibility of our Patriots creating interest in who they were and enthusiasm for what they accomplished. New Jersey DAR State Historian Deb Hvizdos has spent years researching American Patriots and their contributions to the founding of this great nation. With Private Oliver Cromwell she knew she found a man and his story that needs to be told.

Oliver Cromwell was born in 1753 in Burlington County, New Jersey and lived to be 100 still residing in the county. He served as a private in the 2nd New Jersey Regiment between 1777 and 1783 fighting in many of the battles that eventually lead to American victory and independence. His discharge papers note he received the badge of merit were signed by George Washington. During his later years he sat outside his home on East Union Street engaging with passerby and neighbors alike. It is at this home where the NJDAR honor him. The placing of this marker is in line with the Society's mission of Historic Preservation, Education, and Patriotism.

The City of Burlington is rolling out the red carpet, Main Street is lined with Oliver Cromwell banners and a Fife and Drum corps who will be performing during the day. The Daughters of the American Revolution will be represented by President General Denise VanBuren, New Jersey State Regent Bonnie Matthews and the NJDAR Board of Management. Speakers for the day include Secretary of the U.S. America 250! Commission Lynn Forney Young, DAR Historian General Laura Kessler, family members Jane Fox Long and Pastor Timothy Hutton.  

Revolutionary Patriot Ned Hector has sent word he looks forward to attending the ceremony honoring a fellow Patriot. The color guard representatives from the Sons of the American Revolution, Sons of the Revolution and the Rhode Island 14^th Regiment bring us back in time on historic Union Street.

Reisha Raney, host of Daughter Dialogues is speaking on the “Untold Histories from American Revolution Patriots’ Descendants of Color”. As a DAR member, Reisha works to perpetuate the legacy of all the men and women who achieved independence. The Daughters of the American Revolution is taking a leading role in researching and promoting how diversified participants assisted in the creation of our nation, including those who were African American, Native American and female. DAR is committed to better telling the stories of these Patriots, who have all too often been left out of the pages of history.

Additional information about Private Oliver Cromwell’s military service and history as well as other Patriots can be found on the Daughters of the American Revolution  Patriots of Color online genealogical research database as well as the online DAR exhibit “Remembrance of Noble Actions: African Americans and Native Americans in the Revolutionary War.”

Come out to Burlington, New Jersey join the celebration and learn about our collective American history.

Americans Forces Battled British and Hessian in Trenton: Final Score 2-0

New Jersey is under appreciated for their role in the American Revolution. The Battle of Assunpink Creek is a pivotal moment in that history. Twice during in the 10 Crucial Days of the American Revolution, American forces met their foe in Trenton and defeated them. After the famous Crossing of the Delaware, the Americans went on the offensive for the first time, attacking the garrison in Trenton, defeating the Hessians. Then on January 2, 1777, the Continental Army met British and Hessian troops on the banks of the Assunpink Creek in what is now Mill Hill Park. Three times the British tried to storm the bridge and were repelled with terrific losses. One Continental said of that night “The bridge looked red as blood, with their killed and wounded and their red coats.” This second battle in Trenton was the lynchpin of the offensive as Washington’s troops were able to defeat both British and Hessian troops that night. The Continental Army then marched to victory in Princeton at for the third and final battle of the campaign.

Bonnie Matthews, State Regent of the New Jersey State Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NJDAR) and State Board of Managers are proud to announce the unveiling of the DAR America 250! Patriots Marker. at 2pm, Wednesday, April 27, 2022, at Mill Hill Park in Trenton, New Jersey. This is a part of the DAR national initiative to raise public awareness about the men and women who achieved American independence.

NJDAR State Regent Matthews is hosting the event. The Sons of the American Revolution will post our Nation’s colors. Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora and Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) President General Denise VanBuren will give remarks. The marker unveiling ceremony of the “Revolutionary War Patriots – This marker commemorates the men and women who achieved American independence. These Patriots, believing in the noble cause of liberty, fought valiantly to form a new nation. 1775-1783.” marker will involve DAR America 250 National Chair and Secretary of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission Lynn Forney Young, DAR Historian General Laura Kessler & NJDAR State Historian Deborah Hvizdos.

DAR Daughters work tirelessly to honor Revolutionary War patriots, engage youth through contests and educational programming, and support efforts to better tell the story of underrepresented and diverse patriots who helped to win the American War of Independence. To learn more about DAR membership, visit njdar.org or contact njdarstateregistrar@gmail.com.

The Madden Connection

The Connection Finder on WikiTree is closer to a Six Degreesof Kevin Bacon relationship than a blood relationship. Still, it is a fun tool and can open up lines of research. For me it helps satisfy my dad’s side of the family until I can break through multiple brick walls that can make WikiTree’s Relationship Finder accurate enough to use. Today’s connection should make the football fans in the family happy.

From Patriot Ancestor to President Hoover

One of the fun things you can do with WikiTree is find famous relatives. The WikiTree mission is to create an accurate, single family tree that makes genealogy free and accessible for everyone. Anyone can enter their family information linking to already existing family members. Now the fun begins.

 Amongst the famous relatives list is US Presidents; my closest relation is the 31st President.

Swiss born Gregor Jonas Huber is my linking ancestor to President Herbert Hoover. Gregor, my 8^th great grandfather was born in what is now the Canton of Aargau. In 1698 he immigrated to Germany due to religious persecution. Shortly after settling in Ellerstadt he married fellow Swiss immigrant Anna Kreutzer. They had eleven children including my direct ancestor Johannes Jacob and President Hoover’s direct ancestor Andreas. Both brothers immigrated to the American Colonies; one settling in the north, the other in the south. 

Johannes Jacob married Maria Magdalena shortly before boarding the Mortonhouse bound for Philadelphia; eventually they settled in Lancaster County. Now that, Covid fears are waning, I plan on making a trip to Lancaster to find out more about my ancestor’s history in that area.

Their son, my 6^th great grandfather, JacobHoover is recognized by the Daughters of the American Revolution as a Revolutionary War Patriot. Simply put, Ritts Kids cousin’s, you are eligible to apply for membership with the DAR or Sons of the American Revolution.

Almost all of my direct ancestors came into America via Philadelphia, and in a generation or two settled in the Bedford - Blair - Cambria county area. Martin Hoover, my 5th great grandfather was an exception. About 1805, he along with his second wife Catherine Knee and several of his grown children decided to travel west settling in Ohio and Indiana. 

Martin's daughter Christina, my 4th great grandmother did not travel west with her father and siblings. She married  Dunkard Preacher John George Metzker, remaining in what became Blair County. They had 13 children in 19 years, including my ancestor Isaac who ran the family farm. His daughter Eliza moved back to farm with her younger children after both her mother and husband, Alexander Hudson passed away. Eliza, her parents and several children are buried in the Mennonite Cemetery which is down the street from the farm she grew up on.

Mennonite Cemetery by the Altoona Airport

Eliza’s eldest daughter Lizzie, married Harry Ritts. They had nine boys and my Nana, whom we affectionately refer to as the Ritts Kids. The “kids” were raised on a farm in Antis Township, which is now the Pine Grove exit on Rt 99. Only a few Ritts Kids descendants still reside in the area. Most moved west to Pittsburgh and beyond.

Wreaths Across America Radio Interview

Earlier today I was interviewed by Michael Hale from Wreaths Across America Radio about the Daughters of the American Revolution's partnership with Wreaths Across America.

https://soundcloud.com/wreathsacrossamericaradio/wreaths-radios-meet-the-dar-armstrong?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing 

Betty White Connections

Last week we lost the beloved Betty White. Known to make people laugh through her work on Golden Girls and Mary Tyler Moore, most people don’t realize she was a pioneer in TV. She and the late great Irma Phillips laid the foundation of TV’s daytime landscape; Betty White helped found daytime talk shows, while Irma Phillips is the mother of daytime soaps creating Guiding Light ranks as the longest running scripted show. GL aired for 72 years before going off the air in 2009. To celebrate our feat, the Daytime Emmy’s asked Betty White to introduce the Guiding Light tribute at the 36th Emmy Awards. This week I began reading When Women Invented Television: The Untold Story of the Female Powerhouses Who Pioneered the Way We Watch Today by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong which profiles both of these great women. Granted I’m only a couple of chapters in, but it is a fascinating read.

WikiTree believes we are all connected so of course I had to check out how I might be connected to Betty White. According to their calculation I am 19 degrees from her connecting through my mom’s brother’s wife’s line to Allen Lunden, Betty White’s husband.