When the Mayflower arrived in the New World in 1620, it carried with it 102 passengers. The settlers established the Plymouth colony in what is now Massachusetts. Today, millions of Americans can trace their ancestry back to these early settlers. Here’s a look at some notable Mayflower passengers and their famous descendants.
Jane Fonda
Actress Jane Fonda is a direct descendant of Mayflower passenger William Bradford. Bradford was an English Separatist leader, a signer of the Mayflower Compact, and served as the Governor of the Plymouth colony five times over the span of 30 years. Fonda is Bradford’s 8th great granddaughter.
Julia Child
Beloved chef and author Julia Child was also an 8th great granddaughter of William Bradford. Of course that also means that Child and Fonda are related too!
Orson Welles
Legendary filmmaker Orson Welles is the 8th great grandson of John Alden. Alden started his journey to the New World as a crew member of the Mayflower. When the ship returned to England, Alden decided to remain in Plymouth Colony. He was prominent member of the colony and a signer of the Mayflower Compact.
Jodie Foster
Another notable descendant of Alden is actress and director Jodie Foster. She is Alden’s 9th great granddaughter.
Zachary Taylor
Many U.S. presidents can trace their ancestry back to the Mayflower. One such president is Zachary Taylor, the 12th President of the United States. He was the fourth great grandson of William Brewster, leader of Plymouth Colony.
Katharine Hepburn
Legendary actress Katharine Hepburn was Brewster’s 9th great granddaughter.
Taylor Swift
Mega superstar Taylor Swift is a direct descendant of Mayflower passenger Richard Warren. Warren had traveled alone on the Mayflower, leaving his wife and five daughters behind. He waited until he deemed conditions suitable before bringing his family to the colony. Swift is Warren’s 9th great granddaughter!
Orville and Wilbur Wright
The Orville and Wilbur Wright made history in 1903 when they made world’s first sustained, man-powered, heavier-than-air flight. They were both 8th great grandsons of Warren.
Norman Rockwell
American painter Norman Rockwell was known for his beloved illustrations of everyday American life. Rockwell’s ancestry can be traced back to the passengers of the Mayflower. He is the 9th great grandson of Stephen Hopkins, who was one of the signatories of the Mayflower Compact and an assistant to the governor of Plymouth Colony for many years. Hopkins was the only Mayflower passenger who had previously been to the New World. After surviving a shipwreck, Hopkins lived in Jamestown from 1610-1614, then returned to England. He later settled in Plymouth Colony, where he lived until his death in 1644.
Allison Janney
Award-winning actress Allison Janney also has early roots in American history. She is Hopkins’s 11th great granddaughter.
Great Migration: Passengers of the Mayflower, 1620 Genealogy Project
Are you a Mayflower descendant? You can find all the passengers of the Mayflower in the Great Migration: Passengers of the Mayflower, 1620 genealogy project on Geni. Explore the project and discover how you’re related to the Mayflower passengers in Geni’s World Family Tree!
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Source: Geni.com