Artwork by my niece, Jasmine Earnhart
(c) 2016 by Jasmine D. Earnhart
The Mead Hall
Genealogy Services and Family Archive
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A stranger is just a cousin you haven't met!
The Mead Hall at Trelleborg, Denmark
Built by my ancestor, Harold Bluetooth
Family Resemblances
Every now and then, as I am going through genealogical and historical records, I come across a picture or a portrait of a face that seems eerily familiar! So I thought it would be fun to start a "Family Resemblances" project. Here you will find faces from our family's history, along with the modern relatives who resemble them. Since our family is spread far and wide (even beyond the North American continent), obviously, I am more familiar with some family members than others. If you know of a family member who bears a strong resemblance to one of their forebears, please contact me here, and I will include them. Also, you will find family photos and portraits here. If, while browsing through them, you see a face that reminds you of a modern relative, send me the name and photo here, and I will put them both on this page.
The first picture is Baron Thomas Wentworth, who lived in England from 1501 to 1551. (He is buried at West- minster Abbey, and I am hoping to save up enough to visit his grave site this Summer). The second picture is Thomas' 14th Great-Grandson, Timothy McDermott, Jr (through Nellie Ethel Potts, wife of Charles Benjamin Slusser, Sr., Timothy's Great-Grandparents). See what I mean? Eerie, huh. They even seem to like the same hats! (As always, if you need help figuring your own relationships to the people mentioned, just message me.)
The picture on the left is Richard Plantaganet III, who was born in England in 1452, and died in 1485 at Bosworth Field (yes, -that- Richard III, the Shakespeare Richard III, the "a horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse" guy). The bust was made from a model of his skull when his remains were found buried in a parking lot a few years back (no kidding- it's a fascinating story! If you'd like to know more, see here). The next pic is Richard's 3rd cousin, 21 times removed, Kieran Roston. (I know the whole "removed" thing is confusing. It really just refers to the number of generations back they share a grandparent.) They are related through Nellie Ethel Potts, and her Wentworth ancestors. If you need help figuring out how you are related to one of Shakespeare's most memorable villains, message me. And, btw, don't let the villain thing worry you. Old records are beginning to show that Richard may have gotten a bad rap, and Shakespeare's "histories" were Tudor propaganda, meant to make people feel good about their rule. An interesting note, another relative, James Tyrrell, a direct ancestor and Kieran's 17th Great-Grandfather, again through Nellie Potts, also got framed in that play. Shakespeare has him murdering the Tower Princes (Richard's nephews), and that was the rumor that was being spread, but evidence has pretty much vindicated him, and the fact is, no one knows what really happened to the princes.
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For more information on Richard III, including the discovery of his body, reburial, and new research on his life, contact The Richard III Society here. Whether you are interested in family history, or just in the late Medieval time period, this site has some fascinating information.
I thought I'd share a couple of pics that go with the stories above and to the right. The picture to the left is the new burial place of King Richard III, after his remains were found in a parking lot. He was re- buried, with full honors, fireworks, and a very public celebration, at Leicester Cathedral in England. For more info on this event, visit the Richard III Society here.
The picture to the right is a portrait of Nellie Ethel Slusser's 13th great-grandfather, Margaret's father, the Blessed Adrian Fortescue, from the story to the right. This particular portrait is located at the Collegio di San Paolo in Rabat, Malta. He was born in England in 1476 and was executed at the Tower of London in 1539, for refusing convert to the Church of England.
On the left is Eleanor Berenger of Provence, who was born in France in 1217 and died in England around 1291. She was married to Henry Plantaganet III. The second picture is of Eleanor's 24th Great-Granddaughter, Debbie McDermott (descended through two of Eleanor's sons, Edward I and his brother Edmund). Debbie is descended from Eleanor through her Grandmother, Nellie Ethel Potts, wife of Charles Benjamin Slusser, Sr. As always, if you need help figuring your own relationship to Eleanor, just message me.
The first picture, on the left, is Horace Franklin Renslow, who lived in Wisconsin from 1847-1929 and served our country during the Civil War. The next pic is Horace's 2nd Great-Nephew, Timothy McDermott, Sr, who served our country during the Viet Nam War (in fact the pic is from we visited him at Fort Ord, in the early 70's). Horace is the brother of Emma Renslow, Timothy's Great-Grandmother, and wife of Mark (Marquis) McDermott. I know that sounds a little complicated, so if you need help figuring it all out, message me.
The first picture, on the left, is Margaret Fortescue (born and died in England, 1502-1551), and next to her, is her 12th great-granddaughter, Nellie Ethel Slusser-Cooley (1920-1999; Louisville, Kentucky). Nellie is descended from Margaret through her mother, Nellie Ethel Potts, wife of Charles Benjamin Slusser, Sr., through her Wentworth ancestors. Margaret was married to Baron Thomas Wentworth, Sr. (Pictured above with Timothy McDermott- it is their son Thomas, Jr., married to Ursula Swinnowe, that both Nellies are descended from). I was especially struck by the resemblance around the eyes, and the shape of the face- if you look closely, they even have the same dimple on the chin! They are, certainly, both great beauties! An interesting note on Margaret- her father, married to Anne Stonor, and Nellie's 13th great-grandfather, was the Blessed Adrian Fortescue, beatified by the Catholic Church when he refused to convert to the Church of England and was martyred for it, and he is still the patron of at least one church (in Africa). This particular branch of our family has a relatively high number of saints, and people who were beatified. It is referred to as the line of Saintly Kings. I have not finished researching all of them, yet, but I will certainly be posting more about these ancestors at some point.
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​ -This is a plea for help- I grew up, hearing stories about my wonderful Aunt Nellie, but, sadly, I never had the honor of getting to know her, personally. I would be very grateful if those of you who were close to her would message me here about her for the Family Stories page.
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Recently, I have gotten to know Laura Bartholomew Armstrong, the lovely lady who sent this, from doing research on Ancestry. She is related to my husband, through his great uncle, John Harvey Nissly. It's always wonderful to meet a new cousin! I especially like finding these Family Resemblances pictures, so it is nice to see I am not the only one.
The first picture, on the left, is my step-father, Curtis Berak, who is a Luthier (he builds harpsichords and Hurdy-Gurdies), as well as an artist and musician. He plays the Hurdy-Gurdy and has a large collection of antique instruments. On the right is his grandfather, George Mawhinney, who was born September 22, 1893 in Magheralin, Down, Ireland (or, as he wrote on his 1940 census, the Irish Free State) and died on March 16, 1951 in Preston, New York. He came to the USA in 1914, settled in New York, and married Katherine Schober. Their daughter, Georgia Mawhinney-Berak, was Papa Curtis' mother. I think, if you look closely, you will see a definite resemblance between these two gentlemen!!!!