Gasp! I'm related to the Hatfields!

Image: "Devil Anse" Hatfield

I recently learned more about my family tree. Apparently some members of my family have done extensive research on our family tree. My aunt Shirley lent me a large binder full of family info and pictures.

The first of my family to come to the United States was John Blackburn from Scotland in the early 1700's. However the most interesting detail about my history is the fact that I am related to Jeremiah Hatfield, a player in the infamous Hatfield/McCoy feud.

Some people are vaguely aware of some feud involving a bunch of hillbillies killing each other, but may not realize it is a true story. The Hatfields were a wealthy family from Kentucky who became involved in a bloody feud with the McCoy family. In the end, over a dozen family members from both families died. One of the deaths was over a hog that both families claimed belonged to them.

In the year 2000, a Hatfield and McCoy family reunion was held in Kentucky as a sign of good will between the families. As I was doing a little family research myself, I noticed that there had been a family reunion in North Carolina for descendants of Jeremiah Hatfield 12 years ago.

Although being related to the Hatfield's is nothing to be proud of, I still think it is pretty cool to be related to someone famous. At least I'm not related to Adolf Hitler (that I know of), heh heh.