What is the most interesting thing that you know your ancestor(s) took part in?

Question

Did they fight in a war, take part in a movement, fight in an important battle, or fight for anyone famous, etc.

Answer 1

One of the men holding Lee Harvey Oswald by the arm when he is shot is a cousin of mine (the one in the cowboy hat).

We have traced our line directly to Mary Queen of Scots.

Answer 2

Don't know much about the ones from way way back, but I DO know this:

My mother was born in West Hollywood in 1934, and my father was born in North Hollywood in 1932. My mother's father was an actor in silent films, and even had small speaking roles in some "talkies" before he died in '39. My father's mother was also a part of early Hollywood, working as a "script girl" or something for a movie studio (I think it was RKO) - before she got married & had my dad. Show biz was on both sides of my family; however, neither of my parents ever showed an interest.

And NO, I was NOT born in Hollywood - they had me in Gardena, a boring suburb a short distance south of it in L.A. Although I no longer live in that part of the country, I am proud of the fact that I have that inborn connection to very early Hollywood. My grandmother told me the story of the day she took a ride with Charlie Chaplin in his nice, new automobile. Cars were brand new luxury items back then, so this was was a really big deal! I would have LOVED to have been a part of the fledgeling film capital of the world in the 1920s!!!

Answer 3

Through my grandmother I am descended from the first Royal Governor of Jamestowne (VA) who came to the colony in 1610. I am also a descendant of one of Richard the Lionhearted's soldiers and a Druid priest. And my grandmother's family is mentioned in Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night", in which a character mentions "the great bed of Ware." The bed actually existed and was owned by my ancestors and, at one time when put on the auction block, was bid on by Charles Dickens. I had ancestors who fought for the colonies in the American Revolution, and on both sides during the Civil War. And my grandfather was named "Ideal Father" of the WDC area by The Washington Post in 1942.

Answer 4

Ancestor sailed with John Paul Jones on the Bon Homme Richard.

Answer 5

My ancestors were Vikings... that pretty much says it all, however, the extent of their "misdeeds" may have been a trifle "exaggerated" and "blown out of proportion." Still, there is the lamentable fact that they were the big-time "mercenaries" of that time in history... I guess they even traded in slaves... something I personally find abhorent.
I don't think anyone escapes the questionable escapades of their family tree... If you're decended from the genetic "ADAM," there is "someone" that has a notorious or "questionable past" who was one of your ancestors.
On the "upbeat" side, one of "mine" came over on the Mayflower... but then, they turned out to be puritanical types that used the indigenous natives to survive, only later to kill many with their European diseases... just can't win!

Answer 6

My (many times great) Grandfather, Angus Og, Lord MacDonald, supported Robert, the Bruce, when all the other Highlanders turned their backs on him.
Angus payed for it with the forfeiture of his life, and our Rights of Landgrave.
The first of my mother's people to arrive on this continent was Thomas McBride, a tanner, on or about the 15th of June, 1642. He lived in what, 40 years later, would become Pennsylvania.
Another Great-Grandfather fought the U.S. for many years, fighting for our peoples' Right to live, as promised by treaty, in freedom. You would know him as "Sitting Bull".

Answer 7

In this country: Revolutionary war veterans (medics). Kind of cool, considering we also still have the land grant they held, signed by King George. Not sure when another line of family came here (early - probably 17th century) but they married into the Algonquin tribe.

Answer 8

my great grandfather fought in civil war beside Robert E Lee
and my grandfather was in WW I and worked in the WV coal mines before the unions
My father was on Operation Big Lift also known as Hell on Wheels for the Korean War.

Answer 9

According to family records, one of mine was apparently a Templar Knight and who knows what he did? Also had one who was a groomsman for Henry VIII which means he either swept out the stables or brushed down the horses. At least he didn't behead any of Henry's wives - as far as I know!

Answer 10

One of my grandfathers served at Pearl Harbor, he was sent there after it was bombed. My other grandfather was sent to Japan after the atomic bomb was dropped to help clean up. He was sent to Nagasaki, one thing he said that i'll always remember is that the steel of the bulidings was so melted and twisted. It looked like a twist tie to a bag of bread. All bent and stuff.