In a revelation by the genealogy firm Ancestry.com, it has been discovered that the acclaimed singer Taylor Swift shares a lineage with the esteemed poet Emily Dickinson!
This discovery was first shared with NBC’s Today, unveiling that both Swift and Dickinson are descendants of a 17th-century English immigrant, establishing them as sixth cousins, three times removed.
The shared ancestor is noted as Swift’s ninth great-grandfather and Dickinson’s sixth great-grandfather, who was an initial settler of Windsor, Connecticut. The Swift lineage remained in Connecticut for several generations before relocating to north-western Pennsylvania, where the family integrated into the Swift lineage.
Emily Dickinson, born in 1830 in Amherst, Massachusetts, stands as a seminal figure in American poetry, known for her reclusive lifestyle and predominantly anonymous publications during her lifetime.
Interestingly, Taylor Swift has previously acknowledged Dickinson, hinting at an inspirational connection in her songwriting. In 2022, during an acceptance speech for the Songwriter-Artist of the Decade award from the Nashville Songwriters Association International, Swift mentioned crafting lyrics reminiscent of letters by Dickinson’s ancestors. Additionally, Swift’s ninth studio album, Evermore, released on Dickinson’s birthday, December 10, 2020, has been noted for its lyrical nods to Dickinson’s works.
This genealogical link comes as Swift prepares to launch her latest album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” coinciding with her ongoing Eras tour in Asia. Swift remarked on the significance of songwriting in her life, particularly during the creation of this album, at a concert in Australia in February.
This story of connecting modern celebrities with historical figures is not unique. Other celebrities have also traced their ancestries to notable figures, enriching their narratives with historical ties. For example, actor Ben Affleck discovered his lineage connected to a historical figure. One of his ancestors is shared with Princess Diana, making them ninth cousins once removed via their common ancestor, Jedediah Strong​​. This relationship ties Affleck to a wide network of famous kin, spanning royalty to notable figures in American history.
What secrets might lie in your own lineage, waiting to be unearthed by a simple genealogy test? As the tales of Taylor Swift and Ben Affleck’s ancestral revelations unfold, it prompts us to ponder the intriguing possibilities within our own heritage. If you’ve ever delved into the roots of your family tree and uncovered something remarkable, Family History Zone is eager to hear your story! Send us an email to [email protected].
Image Source:
- Photo by Rosa Rafael: instant images
