You just can't look away!

Ancestry.com is on a marketing binge!  Their new app "We're Related" has been out for a while now. At first I just laughed as some of the ludicrous leaps that were made to show how I was related to celebrities of all shapes and sizes.  Most, up until recently, I could discount right away as they are plugging in mother connections for several generations that just don't vibe.  I just could not find proof of any connection.  Not a good marketing tool for Ancestry credibility.  But, I tried to look through the muck and see if anything vibed.

When they started to get a bit closer in cousin connections I started to do some investigating.  Right here and now I'll say I'm not too happy😞.  Ok...I was happy with Elvis, Jimmy Carter, James Dean, Brad Pitt, and Kate Blanchett, all of whom seem to line up with my research, yet distant relations.

I grew up in the south so I prepared myself, somewhat, for what surprise "ding" I would get.  There it was.....Newt Gingrich and Ann Coulter.  Crap!  That just cannot be.  Then, I reminded myself that ideology is not necessarily inherited or passed down😩.  My immediate family, for the most part, were conservative republicans, except for Pappa, my step great grandfather.  Somehow, even though I was raised by my grandparents, I ended up mostly a radical, liberal, socialist, etc... I hate labels, so if you must...pick one.  My bio mom was progressive to say the least, which gave her mother great consternation.  I'm still grappling with her extreme IQ and mental illness and just how wrong her life has been treated.  I digress....

So, Newtie isn't Newt.  Turns out he changed his name and he's possibly my 6th cousin, 2xs removed on my mother's father's German side.😮  One of my projects, that I need to jump into more now, is on a Civil War Union soldier from PA, my 2nd great grandfather, and his wife who was a nurse in the Civil War in PA.  My connection to Newt is through this nurse's mother, Sarah Follmer.  Her great grand father Hans Michael Follmer/Vollmar married Ragina Magdalena (last name unknown) my 7th great grandmother.  Magdalena was used often in German heritage.
Ragina/Regina was born 18 Jun 1730 in Tulpehocken, Berks Co., PA and died 18 Aug 1813 in Milton, Northumberland Co., PA.
Regina Magdalena Follmer

Ragina/Regina and Hans Michael Follmer had Elizabeth Follmer (Newt's supposed 4th great grandmother) and Adam Follmer (my 6th great grandfather, thus 2xs removed).  Elizabeth and Adam were brother and sister.

Now, Newt's real name is Newton⁵ (Newton Searles⁴, Clarence Newton³, James Silverwood², William¹) McPherson.  From there his connection to me is through William McPherson's maternal line.  

Ann Coulter is my direct 5th cousin.  Deep breath....runs out of room screaming😖😒😱
My maternal grandmother's, who raised me as her own child, paternal grandmother was Amanda Nance.

Ann Coulter's mother was Nell Husbands Martin.  Her mother was Nell Warner, who's mother was Nellie Nance, and our mutual Nance line begins.  

Nellie Nance was the daughter of Joseph Monroe Nance who's father was Clement Nance.  
Clement was the brother of Daniel Nance, my 3rd great grandfather.  Making Ann Coulter and I direct 5th cousins.  I need a drink....