Nothing makes a genealogist happier than finding a family connection with someone famous. In my case (as a huge Disney Fan), imagine my joy at finding a family connection between myself and my hero, Walter Elias Disney.
Our stories start with an Englishman. John Johnson, Sr., who was born in Herne Hill (Canterbury), Kent, England in 1564 married Hannah Throckmorton of Wilmington, Kent, England. John and Hannah gave birth to many children; one of them being John Johnson Jr. who was born in 1588 in Herne Hill (Canterbury), Kent, England.
Their son, John Jr. was a lawyer and quartermaster who married Mary Heath. John arrived in New England with the Winthrop fleet at Salem on 22 June 1630. He settled at Roxbury, Massachusetts, and was made a freeman on 18 May 1631. He subsequently served the town and colony in many capacities, including Constable (first on 19 October 1630), Surveyor General, Town Clerk, Deputy to the House of Deputies, and Clerk of the Military Company of Massachusetts. The position as Surveyor General of Arms and Ammunition of the Colonies made Capt. Johnson responsible for the acquisition, maintenance and distribution of the primary means of protection.
John Jr and Mary Heath-Johnson had 10 children; among those children was my ancestor, Mary Johnson born on July 31, 1614 and Walt Disney's ancestor, Isaac Johnson born on February 11, 1615.
Jan's 11th great grandmother, Mary Johnson
was born on July 31, 1614 in Roxbury, Suffolk, England. She emigrated with her father and other siblings to the Colonies in 1630. She married Jan's 11th great grandfather, Roger Mowry in 1639 and they settled in Roxbury, Massachusetts Colony. Roger Mowry arrived at Boston in 1631, moved to Plymouth, then Salem, and later they settled at Providence, Rhode Island Colony. Roger Mowry was a tavern keeper in Providence, Rhode Island Colony
Their child was:
Jan's 10th great grandmother, Bethia Mowry
born on June 17, 1638 in Salem, Massachusetts Colony.
She married George Palmer(Jan's 10th great grandfather),
born about 1637 In Warwick, Rhode Island Colony.
Their child was:
Jan's 9th great grandmother, Deliverence Palmer,
born about 1665 in South Kingston, Rhode Island Colony.
She married John Sheldon, Jr. (Jan's 9th great grandfather)
born in 1663 in South Kingston, Rhode Island Colony.
Their child was:
Jan's 8th great grandfather, Isaac Sheldon
born in 1687 in South Kingston, Rhode Island.
He married Susannah Potter(Jan's 8th great grandmother),
born on January 28, 1687 in North Kingston, Rhode Island Colony.
Their child was:
Jan's 7th great grandfather, Thomas Sheldon
born on February 18, 1708 in South Kingston, Rhode Island Colony.
He married Harriet Winters (Jan's 7th great grandmother),
born in 1710 in Dover Plains, New York Colony.
Their child was:
Jan's 6th great grandmother, Susannah Sheldon
born in 1741 in Kingston, Rhode Island Colony.
She married Ephraim Pray(Jan's 6th great grandfather),
born on November 20, 1733 in Dover, New York Colony.
Their child was:
Jan's 5th great grandfather, Thomas Pray,
born in 1763 in Dover, New York Colony.
He married Mary Sheldon (Jan's 5th great grandmother),
born about 1765 in Essex, New York.
Their child was:
Jan's 4th great grandfather, Aaron R. Pray,
born in October 15, 1783 in Essex, New York.
He married Marion Striegel or Straight (Jan's 4th great grandmother), born in 1786 in an unknown location.
Their child was:
Jan's 3rd great grandfather, Ephraim Pray,
born on July 20, 1825 in Canton, New York.
He married Mary Delina Francoeur
(Jan's 3rd great grandmother),
born on November 1, 1828 in an unknown location.
Their child was:
Jan's 2nd great grandfather, William Pray,
born on February 20, 1851 in St. Anne, Illinois. He married Angelica Curby (Jan's 2nd great grandmother), born in 1852 in Beaverville, Illinois.
Their child was:
Jan's 3rd great grandfather, Ephraim Pray,
born on July 20, 1825 in Canton, New York.
He married Mary Delina Francoeur
(Jan's 3rd great grandmother),
born on November 1, 1828 in an unknown location.
Their child was:
Jan's 2nd great grandfather, William Pray,
born on February 20, 1851 in St. Anne, Illinois.
He married Angelica Curby (Jan's 2nd great grandmother),
born in 1852 in Beaverville, Illinois.
Their child was:
Jan's great grandmother, Luminia Marie Pray,
born on June 29, 1880 in Beaverville, Illinois.
She married Moses Godfrey Caillouette
(Jan's great grandfather),
born on August 18, 1878 in Beaverville, Illinois.
Their child was:
Jan's grandmother, Macel Priscilla Caillouette,
born on October 23, 1904 in Beaverville, Illinois.
She married Clement Norbert Raiche (Jan's grandfather),
born on October 25, 1904 in Menomonee, Michigan.
Their child was:
Jan's mother, Phyllis Joan Raiche
, born April 11, 1930 in Kankakee, Illinois.
She married Eugene Leonard Longtin (Jan's father),
born September 11, 1930 in Manteno, Illinois.
Their child was me, Janet Longtin-Vincent
Walt's 7th great grandfather, Issac Johnson
was born on February 11, 1615 in Ware End, Great Amwell, England. He emigrated with his father and other siblings to the Colonies in 1630. He married Elizabeth Porter (Walt's 7th great grandmother), born on February 10, 1610 in Ware, Hertfordshire, England.
Their child was:
Walt's 6th great grandfather, Nathaniel Johnson
born May 1, 1647 in Roxbury, Massachusetts Colony.
He married Mary Smith (Walt's 6th great grandmother)
born on February 28, 1643 in Dorchester, Massachusetts Colony.
Their child was:
Walt's 5th great grandfather, Deacon John Johnson
born on April 29, 1668 in Roxbury, Massachusetts Colony.
He married Margaret Morris (Walt's 5th great grandmother)
born on September 25, 1668 in Roxbury, Massachusetts Colony.
Their child was:
Walt's 4th great grandfather, Issac Johnson
born on December 23, 1697 in WoodStock, Connecticut Colony. He married Abigail Peake (Walt's 4th great grandmother) born on April 7, 1700 in Woodstock, Connecticut Colony.
Their child was:
Walt's 3rd great grandfather, Moses Johnson
born on July 26, 1737 in Roxbury, Massacusetts Colony.
He married Mercy Fox (Walt's 3rd great grandmother)
born on March 10, 1740 in Roxbury, Massachusetts Colony.
Their child was:
Walt's 2nd great grandmother, Fanny Johnson
born May 16, 1764 in Woodstock, Connecticutt.
She married John Call, Jr. (Walt's 2nd great grandfather)
born on October 14, 1761 in Woodstock, Connecticut.
Their child was:
Walt's great grandfather, Eber Call
born on July 14, 1791 in Coltrain, Massachusetts.
He married Violet Lawrence (Walt's great grandmother),
born on March 30, 1792 in Coltrain, Massachusetts.
Their child was:
Walt's grandfather, Charles Call
born on March 22, 1822 in Coltrain, Massachusetts.
He married Henrietta Gross (Walt's grandmother),
born July 27, 1837 in Meihlen, Germany.
Their child was:
Walt's mother, Flora Call,
born April 22, 1868 in Steuben, Ohio.
She married Elias Disney, (Walt's father)
born on February 6, 1859 in Ontario, Canada.
Their child was:
Walter Elias Disney,
born December 5, 1901 in Chicago, Illinois.
According to calculations
by Ancestry.com,
Walt Disney is my
8th cousin, 5 times removed.
We were both born in the state of Illinois
within 60 miles of each other.
For information about my genealogical connection
to Laura Ingalls-Wilder...
Copyright © 2025 Jan's World - All Rights Reserved.
Designed by Jan's World Websites
This site is always being updated. Content Copyright 2021-2025 © Jan Vincent. All rights reserved. All images, interviews and videos used were chosen from Public Domain sources or are the property of JansWorld.net except for those used by permission were full credit was given. Any references to any trademarked properties are used in accordance with the Fair Use doctrine and are not meant to imply that this website is affiliated with other related website. This website is not affiliated with the Walt Disney Company, Knott's Berry Farm, Cedar Fair, Doctor Who, Trinity Broadcasting or any of their subsidiaries. This website is a fan based, informational site used for entertainment purposes and no money is made from it except where indicated.
Powered by GoDaddy