Any interesting genealogy stories where people discovered amazing things about their ancestors?

Don't know if this is what you were looking for, but I found it really interesting when I asked about my ancestors.

First of all, my last name is English in origin and my paternal grandfather has records going back to the first father and son who came over on the boat from England to the Virginia colonies in the 1600s. Then they split. Some stayed in Virginia, the rest went to Illinois. (My line is from the Illinois folk.)

Also, from my father's side, I am a quarter Japanese. My grandfather met my grandmother when he was stationed in Japan. And my grandfather came from an Irish family, so I'm also one-eighth Irish.

Then on my mother's paternal side, I'm one-eighth German. My middle name is my German great grandmother's name. And it was really cool when I found out that my mother's father is a mason. And my mother's mother claims that one of her early ancestors married a Cherokee Native American while they were on a wagon trail to the south from Ohio. So I've got like, one red blood cell floatin around in me that's Cherokee.

The last time I told someone who asked my heritage, they said I should just answer, American.

Any Interesting Stories

My ancestors were among the Acadians that the British deported when they broke up families of French farmers because they feared they were becoming too numerous and prosperous and may become a threat to the British control. This took place in Canada, 18th century I believe. The (fictional) story of the ordeal for one of the couples is told in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's epic poem, "Evangeline: Tale of Acadie." Published in 1847

My family had always been secretive about their relatives, banned is actually a better word. Upon searching i found out that my mothers family traced back to pennsylvania before william penn. turns out william penn was actually a bit of a black sheep, my ancestor helped him negotiate the land from the lenai lenapi indians thus making him a historical figure even though my ancestors were there first.

Sorry, nothing so interesting as kings, pirates, etc., but I found something that was of extreme interest to myself and my family:

I knew that all of my grandparents came from the same European country, and none knew each other until in the US.

WHAT I DID NOT KNOW:

My mother's parents not only came here on the same ship, but my grandfather was captain of that ship!

certainly one of my ancestors replaced into James Squire - google for his call and you will arise with issues. i don't have an internet site inspite of the indisputable fact that, yet i've got found out that he replaced into Romany and replaced into transported on the 1st fleet out to Australia as a highwayman. He later became Australias first beer brewer and a real philanthropist.

I found out there were some Dulins in my family tree. There were some Dulins that rode with the James gang about the same time and place (Missouri).

when my grandfather started researching our line he found that we have the biggest traitor none to the USA in our direct line to this day my grandmother will deinghs it.... revolution war times