In Search of Colonial Ancestors in New England

North America » United States » Connecticut » Ridgefield
April 29th 2021

Published: May 14th 2021

For those who have been following my travel blogs, you will be aware of my trips in search of ancestors (see Solving a Mystery In My Devon Ancestry and My Old Way Pilgrimage to Canterbury). This theme gives me a personal perspective on the towns I visit and gets me off the tourist trail with its crowds and check off lists. In preparing for our trip to visit locations of our Scottish ancestors, and... Read Full Entry

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Bob Carlsen

Home and Away

I started blogging on Travelblog in 2009, entering trips beginning in 2007. My intention has always been to document my years of travel since my birth...how else was I to save all the slides my Dad took of my childhood! Most bloggers write about their trips away from home. Mine, and eventually Linda's, homes have usually been where people travel to. So the idea eventually percolated to name our blog "Home and Away." The blog is not intended to be an autobiography, although I spent my entire life traveling, with Linda joining me after college, it may appear to be that way. As this... full info

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14th May 2021

Kuan Yin
Karen Johnson

Myth or History?
Reading about the wild Quakers, I have to wonder if the story about the naked Quaker lady parading through town might be apocryphal, much as a the story of Lady Godiva is now thought to be more legend than fact. But hey, never let facts get in the way of a good story, especially if it makes history more colorful.

15th May 2021

starship VT
starship - VT

Priceless!
I'm not sure I know anyone who has been as successful at tracing their lineage as you! The information you've been able to gather and will be able to hand down to the younger generation of your families is priceless. Great work!

16th May 2021

Home and Away
Bob Carlsen

Priceless...
This effort to find ancestors is intended to be a legacy for my children, as you said. It is also a very good theme for traveling. My previous, and continuing theme was pilgrimages, but I'm not so good at walking long distances anymore. Thanks for your comments.

16th May 2021

Janice Waller
non-member comment

A wonderful and very successful trip indeed
You have done so well with your search of ancestors - I had started mine years ago but got to so many road blocks and then sailing started taking more of my time. You have gotten me into thinking I should get back into it again. Sounds like you were very successful in your search, confirmations as well as visits. Excellent!

16th May 2021

Home and Away
Bob Carlsen

Sailing and Ancestors
I've enjoyed following your sailing the Tsamaya for years...before you crossed the Atlantic. I look forward to your next sailing season. As for ancestry, we started with Ancestry.com in 2002, but stopped until recently when the site became more useful with others' family trees, documents, and hints. I also use Wikipedia, Geni.com, Google Books, and other sources to include going to the Devon Heritage Center to search for original documents to confirm information, especially when the link is to famous people or aristocracy. I also hear from distant relatives who help fill in gaps. It is like detective work following clues. It has been fun especially during the Covid shutdown when I couldn't travel overseas. I hope you do pick it up again and take the opportunity to visit where your roots are.

17th May 2021

Home and Away
Bob Carlsen

Myth or History...
Funny you should mention Lady Godiva whose real name was Godgifu, who was married to Leofric III, Earl of Mercia. She is my 28th great grandmother. Yes, her protest has entered the annals of myth or legend although she was a real person born in 990 and passing away on 10 Sep 1067 at Coventry, Warwickshire, England. The further back one goes the historical record can enter the realm of myth. Indeed, some of my ancestors names come down from the Yngling Saga written in Iceland in the 1200's. It provides the genealogy of the Norwegian and Swedish kings back to King Fjolnir born in 240 AD to the Norsk god Freyr and the giantess Gerd. Somewhere along that line history turns to myth.

20th May 2021

Ake Och Emma
Ake Dahllof and Emma Holmbro

Fascinating that you know so much about your ancestors
I can totally understand your fascination for your ancestors. Wonderful theme of your travels. I understand that there also are a few Swedes in your family tree. Do you know from where in Sweden they came?/Ake

20th May 2021

Home and Away
Bob Carlsen

My Swedish Ancestors...
were members of the Yngling Dynasty from Uppsala. I hope to walk the short pilgrimage from Uppsala to their burial mounds someday soon.

21st May 2021

JenniferMP
Jennifer P.

Love New England :)
I am from New England! I was born in Lowell Massachusetts, and even though I have zero ancestors there (all mine are in South America, and Europe) i still find the history there fascinating. As a child i took many field trips to Plymouth and other historical spots. I miss New England! Not the freezing cold weather though :)

21st May 2021

Home and Away
Bob Carlsen

Nw England...
I also love the history one can discover there. Having family connections made the visit even more meaningful. But I discovered that I wouldn't want to live there. We still love living in the mountains of Colorado.

31st May 2021

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Family roots provide understanding
Learning history as children it didn't have the same connection as when you trace the family roots to put things in perspective. I loved reading the progression of tracing both families. I have an aunt who traced ours decades ago and involved all of us in the process. She published a book for everyone to share. I'm glad you and Linda will be able to visit several of these places together.

14th July 2021

alex waring
Alexander Waring

Ancestors
I'm always very impressed with your ancestor research Bob! And it must be very interesting to travel and see the places where they set foot in and lived. I'm so sorry to read that your Scotland trip is cancelled again ? I hope Plan B is just as exciting. I begin my travels in Scotland next Tuesday. I will think of you when I'm there. All the best.

15th July 2021

Home and Away
Bob Carlsen

Plan B...
My initial plan was to drive north towards Canada. But then I got a call from my son and daughter-in-law telling us that their 22 week old baby in her womb has multiple chromosomal problems. So, we are driving to California tomorrow to be with them during this devastating time. I've stopped planning Plan B for awhile. I hope you have a great visit to Scotland. I look forward to reading your blogs...with a touch of jealousy!

15th July 2021

alex waring
Alexander Waring

?
I'm sorry to hear this news Bob, and I wish you and your family all the best at this time.

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In Search of Colonial Ancestors in New England

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