There is a story told by those in my maternal grandmother's family that a distant relative of theirs was impregnated by Otto von Bismarck. Husband, who does a lot of genealogy, has failed to find any evidence to support this. The closest he's got is that, 'maybe she was a servant girl at the house of some important person whom Bismarck may have visited.' But no proof of anything. Still it's a good story - and it must have come from somewhere that suggests there might be a grain of truth in it.
Now we move over to Husband's side of the family for more legends.
Father-in-law would tell us about his grandfather receiving a letter telling him he'd been left some land in America. To claim it all he needed to do was go out there and settle. He didn't want to do that so refused the legacy.
Husband over the past few weeks has been exploring this link and made some fascinating discoveries.
It all began with Albert Herbert Staten who in 1862 travelled across the Atlantic on board the John J Boyd. He was part of the Mormon church's drive to spread their gospel across the world. They sent literally hundreds of thousands of Mormons across the ocean. You can read all about the sea voyages including lots of personal accounts on the Saints by Sea website.
Albert grew up in Derbyshire and obeyed the call to 'come to Zion'. His future wife, Elizabeth Rowlands, left Liverpool a few months later on board the William Tapscott, with her mother, and two older brothers. At the time she was fifteen. She, her family, and Albert were then all on the same Mormon wagon train that travelled from Florence, Nebraska, to Salt Lake City. A few days later they journeyed to Springville, where they lived out their days.
Albert and Elizabeth were married in 1863 and had eleven children. From small beginnings Albert went on to be one of the most prosperous farmers in Utah County - in spite of being boycotted by the Mormon Church when they left and became Presbyterians. Elizabeth died just after her forty-fourth birthday while Albert reached the grand old age of eighty-two.
A much fuller version of Albert and Elizabeth's story can be found here. You can even find details of the wagon train here.
3 comments:
Albert and Elizabeth were true pioneers. Glad they eventually saw the light about Mormonism, though.
Forebears of mine, from both sides of the family, emigrated from North Yorkshire in the 1860s. They sailed into New York harbor, and went north to settle in northern New York state, where, for all I know they still are! My brother had business in that region a while back, and noticed people who looked like him, in fact was asked about it. So though I have nothing like the research you have, I guess we're still around.
I also wonder what was happening in the UK at that time, maybe economic hard times, to impel emigration. If you come across that info, I'd really like to hear.
What fascinating history. Nice to be able to trace back through the generations and learn how they lived.
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