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Family tree leads some to witches, naked queens, Romeos
2 comments by Srianthi Perera – Jul. 1, 2009 02:44 PM
The Arizona Republic
Genealogy led Don Benham of Gilbert to a witch.
Winnifrid Benham was tried in 1600s in the last Witch Trial in Salem, Massachusetts and Benham even found a book containing a transcript of the trial.
Meanwhile, his wife Anne claims that her paternal ancestor, William Wainner, made shoes for Tom Thumb, the real life, diminutive character that inspired the folk tale.
Genealogy can be akin to solving a mystery, as many Gilbert residents have found out. They say you’ll never know what you’ll discover after poring over the manuscripts and databases available at the Mesa Regional Family History Center at the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints Temple in downtown Mesa.
The pieces of the puzzle might lead you to claim kinship to royalty. Or, you might discover a black sheep.
“Everybody who does genealogical research is going to find a black sheep in the family,” said Steve Packer of Mesa. “There’s no family that is immune. If you’re afraid of doing it, you don’t do the research.”
via Family tree leads some to witches, naked queens, Romeos.
