That's pretty cool! Tammy ----- Original Message ----- From: "Shirley, Kenn" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, May 30, 2005 7:49 AM Subject: [VAFRANKL] Moorman Research Nugget > 30 May 2005 > > Windswept Hill, Ferrum, VA > > > > Dear Franklin County Researchers, > > > > Sometimes one gets surprised in doing genealogical research when one > least expects it. When I started my family research about two years > ago, like many neophytes, I was more concerned with my family's direct > lines than the collateral ones. As I have learned more, I have realized > the value of including as many related people as possible as there are > always unseen links. Late the other evening I was working on my wife's > side of the family. I was adding the children and grandchildren of > Thomas Moorman (1705-1767) and Rachel Clark (1714-1792). I entered > their daughter, Rachel Moorman who married Stephen Googins and their > daughter Parmelia Goggins (1775-1845) who married Samuel Clemens > (1770-1805). It was late as most of my internet research is done during > those quiet hours and I remarked that it was cool that this Mr. Clemens > had a similar name to the famed author who later uses the name of Mark > Twain. I went to bed, but the next morning, was looking at Eula > Fergueson Angle's book where she mentions that the Goggins/Clemens > couple were the grandparents of Samuel Langhorne Clemens. I could not > believe it! In order to get other evidence, I goggled Samuel Langhorne > Clemens and his family. I found a site dedicated to his genealogy and > again, he was traced by to the Parmelia Goggins and Samuel Clemens. > > > > The upshot of all of this is that Samuel Langhorne Clemens (Mark Twain) > is my wife's 3 cousin, 5 times removed. Their shared common ancestors > are Thomas Moorman and Rachel Clark. They are my wife's 6 great > grandparents and Mark Twain's 2 great grandparents. Of course, that is > so extreme as to hardly count, but it is fun to know. > > > > I was reminded anew of how one nugget can change much or add a totally > different perspective. I also learned that it might be wise to review > any and all work done past midnight! I always enjoy reading the posting > of you other folks and what you are learning. Thought I would just > share a minor experience with you this morning. Have a great holiday! > > > > Kenn M. Shirley > > > > > > ==== VAFRANKL Mailing List ==== > Please Visit the Franklin Co. Web Site > http://www.rootsweb.com/~vafrankl/franklin.htm > >