Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Tree Tuesday: The Colonel

What is intriguing about researching a family tree is all the life stories you stumble upon. Some are happy stories...and others make you cry...as I've gone through my family branches, I realize how short life used to be. Most of the men on my tree died well before they were 50! The death of children appeared to be a normal part of life. 

Some parts of the tree resemble an ancient soap opera. Others appear to be parts of a fairy tale. Whether it is drama or sweetness, every branch has their own story to tell. 

A couple weeks ago, I was revisiting a particular branch of the tree- my  2nd great grandfather, Thomas Jefferson Buzzard. I had never given his name much thought....but you see this is why all clues count...this time when I looked over his siblings, I noted his brother's name was "George Washington Buzzard"-- hmmm...what a patriotic family, I thought...then I decided to climb higher up the tree. With the help of ancestry.com, I manage to discover more links in my tree.


I went up via my 3rd great grandmother's line...Elizabeth Gilpin...and oh my- as I went up higher...things became clearer. Col. George Gilpin- my 6th great grandfather, was the aide to George Washington during the American Revolution. After the war, Col. George Gilpin was made surveyor of the Potomac and did many public improvements. It is said, he was one of the pall bearers at George Washington's funeral. He married two sisters- one after each other- they were said to have been Martha Washington's cousins- however, although I've read this in various research documents- I cannot find the proof of it yet. 


I later discovered that George was related to the Washingtons of Westmoreland, England- and this is why there was a close connection between he and George Washington. My 15th great grandmother was Elizabeth Washington- who is somehow related to George Washington. I've yet to figure out the exact relation-- something like a gr-gr aunt.

For someone, like me, who was not born in the US and until recently had very little connection with this country- I have found it amazing to see different connections which tie me to this place. Branches which come from Ellis Island (my other gr-grandfather was an Ellis)- branches spreading all the way from the Mayflower- the Winthrop ships- the civil war and now the Revolution. 


The tree doesn't just stand in this country- it spreads its branches across Europe. Each branch tells a story of those who went before me with courage and strength. I will continue to climb through the mass of branches, some broken, and see what new life stories I can find.

11 comments:

  1. Omigoodness! You have climbed upto your 15th great grandmother. Surely this is opening up so many different histories. Wish I could trace back my ancestors like that. But I doubt if the site has any information about them.

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    1. Jenny- btw- I have not forgotten the gift card- I will email you the number (first have to get it :)) Hopefully later today I'll do that!!

      As for the family tree- I just saw a show called 'Finding your roots" and they said that actually India has the most extensive records for family trees- some guy in...oh my, I can't remember- but I'm sure if you ask around you'll find out- I mean they went back MUCH further than any other records!! AMAZING!!!

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    2. Oh is it! I have to watch this show. I know you have given the link about this in your previous posts as well.

      And no worries on the gift card Connie. Guessing that pic was far more imp :-)

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  2. This is beautiful! I love the way you talk about the branches spreading across Europe. I have never researched my tree, but this may just give me the nudge I need. Blessings dear friend.

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    1. Oh you would enjoy researching- www.familysearch.org is a free place to start and you will find out quite a bit of information. ancestry.com has a free program as well- at least they used to.

      Blessings on you!!!

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  3. Anjuli, this was very interesting as well as intriguing at the same time:) Tracing roots could surely be fascinating! It was as if I was reading a chapter from Alex Haley's 'Roots'!

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    1. Rahul- I had heard from "Discovering your roots"- that India has the most extensive family trees listed =- all records kept hand written.

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  4. interesting Anjuli...did you meet many new relatives from the new findings? :-)

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    1. yes, I have met many relatives as a result of these findings- it has been a wonderful experience!

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