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August 13, 2012

Frankie Meyer: Research reveals connections to interesting character

By Frankie Meyer Globe Columnist

JOPLIN, Mo. — A couple of days ago, I decided to do some Internet research on my ninth-generation ancestor Andris Souplis, for whom I had little information.

After entering his name in the search box, I discovered that much research has been done on him and his descendants. His history opened up a cornucopia of interesting world history.

I found a copy of his will which stated that the area where he lived was called Aronameck. A search of that name revealed that it was part of the oldest permanent Swede colony in America.

The will of his second wife, Gertrude, revealed the name of the place where he was buried which was called Gloria Dei Church Grave Yard. After researching that church I learned it is now called the Old Swede Episcopal Church. I also learned that the stone church has been designated as a National Historic Site since it is the oldest church building in Pennsylvania and the second oldest in North America.

A family website of another descendant of Andris stated that part of his land is included in Bartram’s Garden, located near the Schuylkill River in South Philadelphia. My research of that garden showed it is the oldest botanical garden in America.

I also found a copy of the research that was submitted for the historic designation. From that document, I read a deed in which Andrew Souplis, son of Gertrude Suplea, sold two tracts of marshland to John Bartram. The land sale by Andris’s son confirms the info at the family website.

My records showed that Andris was a Huguenot, so I googled that term and learned that he was among 200,000 Protestants who fled France in the 1700s to escape persecution by the monarchy and ruling church. The Huguenots’ religious beliefs were based on the teachings of John Calvin, who believed in salvation by faith.

These types of discoveries are examples of why genealogy is so popular. When researching family history, ancestors not only come alive, but the events of world history come alive, too.

For me, part of the joy is also visiting the places that I learn about through research. I can hardly wait to return to Philadelphia and visit the Old Swede Cemetery and walk through Bartram’s Garden.

When I excitedly tell Jim about my latest research, he sometimes asks, “Now, let’s put this guy in perspective. How many genes do you think you inherited from him?”

Each of us has 256 ancestors when going back 9 generations. Although scientists still argue about the number of human genes, an average estimate is 25,000. If I divide that number by 256, I guess I have about 98 genes that may have come from Andris -- assuming that all the women in that line of ancestry were faithful to their husbands.

I hope they were -- I sure like his history! Through DNA fingerprinting, my genetic connection to Andris might be confirmed at some point in the future if I and several other descendants have DNA testing.



Suggestions or queries? Send to Frankie Meyer, 509 N. Center St., Plainfield, IN 46168, or contact: frankiemeyer@yahoo.com.

 

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