Back to Family Story outcomes, S22
by Callie Bartlett
Prior to my Family Story research within our genealogy course, I anticipated that I would run into a few brick walls along the way. While I definitely did not get as far as I had hope with some lines, I was surprised to learn that the areas in which I had believed I would struggle in the most turned out to be the most informative and interesting lines of my ancestry. Specifically, I had believed that my maternal grandmother’s ancestry would offer little information, and I wondered if I would even be able to locate my 2nd great grandparents.
My initial research allowed me to find both sets of my maternal grandmother’s grandparents. I was able to locate her paternal grandparents, Felix Liberatore and Anna Scatolini, but I was not able to find anything beyond their names. I was not surprised, as I had prepared myself for this roadblock. However, when filling in her maternal grandparents, I was surprised to find that there was a multitude of information about my 2nd great grandfather, Alcide Chandler (1898-1986). I focused most of my research on Alcide Chandler, as I was able to find his parents based on his profile hints alone. I discovered Alcide’s mother to be Mary Soule, which I was able to confirm using Thru Lines.
Initially, I did not think much of this connection to Mary Soule, and continued filling in both the maternal and paternal sides of the Chandler line. After Dr. Curry provided me with insight into the Soule line, my real research began. The Soule name connects to the Mayflower, and this information motivated me to continue my research into the line, specifically to see if I could find a connection to a Mayflower passenger. With the help of Ancestry hints, Thru Lines, and records and evidence, I was able to find my family’s connection to George Soule (1590-1679), as my 10th great grandfather. George Soule was born in Eckington, Worcestershire, England, and he traveled to the United States on the Mayflower as an indentured servant to Edward Winslow in 1620. George aided in the establishment of the Plymouth Colony, and he signed the Mayflower Compact (Johnson, C. MayflowerHistory.com). George and his wife Mary had nine children, who all are well documented. This discovery was extremely surprising, especially because it stemmed from my maternal grandmother’s line. After filling in my family, my grandmother was excited and wanted to learn more.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5728447/george-soule
After researching the Soule line in connection with my maternal grandmother’s line, I additionally researched the Samson ( = Sampson) line. I found this line in connection with Thomas Soule (1795-1864) and his wife Deborah D Sampson (1809-1880), who are my 5th great grandparents. Deborah Sampson married into the Soule line, but her family also holds ties to the Mayflower. Henry Samson (1603-1684), my 10th great grandfather, traveled on the Mayflower around the age of 16 and lived in the Plymouth colony, despite the family he traveled with passing away (Nuckols, A. 2020. Mayflower Families: Henry Samson). Again, there is a lot of information present on the life and the descendants of Henry Samson and his wife Anne Plummer. I was even more excited to learn about this second line with a connection to Mayflower travelers, and my maternal grandmother was ecstatic to learn of the second link to her ancestry.
Following my research into the Soule and Samson (= Sampson) line, Dr. Curry notified me that I had even more connections to Mayflower passengers already within my tree. These passengers similarly stem from the Alcide Chandler (1898-1986) line from my maternal grandmother. Some of the ancestors include Priscilla Mullins (1600-1651) and her parents William Mullins (1572-1620) and Alice (died in 1621); William Bradford (1589-1657); William Brewster (1566-1644) and his wife Mary (1568-1627); and Myles Standish (1584-1656). The stories of these ancestors are well known, especially regarding Priscilla Mullins, who was left as the only surviving member of her family following the death of her father, stepmother, and brother. Another well-known story involving Priscilla includes the story of Captain Myles Standish and The Courtship of Miles Standish. Myles Standish’ wife Rose had passed away during the same winter that Priscilla’s family died during. Recently widowed Myles Standish fell for Priscilla and asked her to marry him through his good friend John Alden, another Mayflower passenger. However, Priscilla responded with “Prithee, John, why do you not speak for yourself?” John Alden and Priscilla ended up getting married, and it is reported that Captain Myles Standish never forgave John.
I was very surprised that there were documented love stories within the Plymouth colony, especially stories that involved my ancestors. Initially, I was shocked to find one Mayflower connection, but I was more surprised to discover the extent to which my family has ancestors who traveled on the Mayflower, especially through my grandmother’s line. All of these connections stem from the Chandler line, my maternal grandmother’s line, and this is what surprised me the most. I had come into our genealogy course with a preconceived notion that I would not discover much about my grandmother’s lines and that I should focus elsewhere. Learning so much about my grandmother’s line and being able to trace many of our ancestors to the Mayflower was very shocking, but it has given my family so much new pride.
During my research I learned about the Silver Books Project, which traces the descendants of the Mayflower travelers. The project began very early on and the General Society of Mayflower Descendants sponsors the books being published. The GSMD believes the Silver Book’s information to be proven, through the first five generations from the Mayflower. These books apply for GSMD membership, if they can show their connection back to individuals within the book. I would love to look deeper into my ancestry through the Silver Books, and even find if I can confirm my connection to any of the people within the books. There are volumes being revised and updated, with the goal of publishing information on the seventh generation. I find it very admirable that there is such a passion and yearning for information about the Mayflower passengers, even today. Although there are many Mayflower descendants within the world, a number within the millions, I am proud to have many Mayflower ancestors and have that strong connection to the travelers. I am especially happy to have these connections, because my family had no knowledge of any connection prior to my research, and we now have a new sense of who we are.
As a result of the newfound connections to the Mayflower, within my maternal grandmother’s ancestry, my family has decided to take a trip to Plimoth Patuxet museums. Located in Plymouth, Massachusetts, it is a historical recreation of the settlement of Plymouth Colony. The living museum contains many artifacts and even has actors who discuss their lives as some of the colonists, dressing and speaking as part of their role.
https://plimoth.org/plan-your-visit
An additional location holds the replica Mayflower II, which my family has decided to visit as well. My grandmother is beyond excited to visit the live museum, as she had never previously held any connection or meaning to the area and never visited. She has a newfound pride regarding her history, and is ready to become more knowledgeable about her Chandler line. With these new discoveries, we are extremely excited to visit during the summer and explore the well documented history of our ancestry.
https://plimoth.org/plan-your-visit/explore-our-sites/mayflower-ii
Works Cited
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5728447/george-soule
http://mayflowerhistory.com/soule
Nuckols, A. 2020. Mayflower Families: Henry Samson, https://blogs.davenportlibrary.com/sc/2020/08/03/mayflower-families-henry-samson/
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5728447/george-soule
Leach, F. Love and Legend: The Courtship of Miles Standish, https://pilgrimhall.org/pdf/Courtship_Miles_Standish.pdf