Back to Family Story outcomes, S22

by Sophia Harley

Although, not 100% sure, I think I am related to Ernest Shackleton.

I am not sure how exactly we are related, but because of my other direct ancestors, I can confirm that he is somehow my ancestor. I know for a fact that a few towns where my ancestors originated named in the UK are relatively close to the town where Ernest Shackleton came from. For example, Joseph Shackleton (born 1868) was born and raised in Addingham, Yorkshire, near a village named Shackleton. The village is named after my maternal side family’s last name (I feel), which is no coincidence. It is almost certain the people who worked and lived there are somehow related to me. The town Shackleton is near very mountain-like terrain where my ancestors more than likely got involved in the coal business. With the use of geni.com and outside googling, I was able to figure out that Ernest (although born in Ireland) grew up in Keighley. 

However, this draws the question of my relation to Ernest Shackleton who lived in the town Keighley which is relatively close to both Addingham and Shackleton. Even though I cannot figure this out 100%, I am more than certain I have some type of relationship with the explorer of the South Pole, Ernest Shackleton, because of how relatively close he grew up near some of my relatives that I have in my family tree. 

Background on Ernest: English explorer of Irish descent who came up with a new plan to cross the Antarctic from one side to the other. Shackleton chartered the ship Endurance. Sir Ernest Shackleton was an explorer who in 1901 joined an expedition to the Antarctic. He was sent home early due to bad health. Devoted to creating a legacy, he led the Trans-Antarctic Expedition. Disaster struck when his ship, Endurance, was crushed by ice. He and his crew drifted on sheets of ice for months until they reached Elephant Island. Shackleton eventually rescued his crew, all of whom survived the ordeal. He later died while setting out on another Antarctic expedition.