Colonial

  • Colonial,  My Family,  Research,  Salem Witch Project

    Am I Descended From A Salem Witch?

    For the spooky month of October, I’ve decided to see if I am actually descended from a Salem witch! According to my research so far, I am a descendent of executed witch Samuel Wardwell.  Actually, thanks to cousin lovin’, I’m both an 8x-great-granddaughter and a cousin several times removed.  Family trees are actually bushes, aren’t they? 😄 About the Trials The Salem Witch Trials in 1692 are one of the most notorious and fascinating events in American history.  In a wave of mass hysteria, the folks in colonial Massachusetts collectively lost sight of reason. Centered in Essex County at Salem Village (now Danvers) and Salem Town, 19 people were hanged, one was crushed…

  • Colonial

    The Mayflower at 400

    This year we celebrated the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower voyage. While this milestone wasn’t the biggest news of the year (😐), it is still important to history. And to the large number of us with colonial ancestors! Since we are all busy this holiday season, I want to focus on some of the new resources released with the anniversary. And for good measure, some additional places to look to find your Mayflower ancestry. Mayflower At 400 400 years ago, the Mayflower landed at Plymouth (Plimouth), setting into motion centuries of myth and legend. While the story we were taught as children is straightforward and sanitized, it left out a…