A Child of Many Sires

"We are the children of many sires, and every drop of blood in us in its turn...betrays it's ancestors." Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am indeed the child of many sires or, as I like to think, a typical child of the American experience.  As is true of most of us, my heritage is a conglomeration of many different cultures.  My forefathers include a Dutch Patroon and a little girl from Denmark, a Scottish soldier captured by Cromwell who was sent to the New World as an indentured servant and an elderly widow who pulled a handcart across the prairies.  There were men and women who came from England during the Great Migration and those who came from England in the mid-nineteenth century.  Some of my ancestors came here to escape religious persecution while others left the boundaries of the United States for that same reason.  I must build bridges to Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, England, and Scotland as well as to places I have not yet identified.because brick walls have stalled my progress before reaching the immigrant ancestor.

Speaking of Immigrant Ancestors I also have one or two who are at the center of internet controversies over the correct lineage of said immigrant. But then, this is only part of the fun of the search.

There is, of course, rumors of Indian blood in my background but again brick walls have not allowed me to actually confirm this.

My family lines - back to my 2nd great grandparents are: Paternally - Davis, McDougal, Pelt (Van Pelt), Taylor, Brock, White, Newsom and Pippin and Maternally - Cahoon, Spencer, Johanson, Nielson, Manwill, McClellan, Keele and Boulton.  As I expand my blog to include generations beyond these, I will be adding to this list.

I hope that, as I continue my research, the drops of blood within me will each, in its turn, betray more of my ancestors to me.