Introducing a New Participant

Question

Allow me to introduce myself as a new WikiTree member. My name is Patrick Barnum and I've been studying the genealogy of the Barnum/Barnham surname and my other ancestors for more than 50 years. My family tree contains over 26,000 entries and the resulting GEDCOM is much too large to be accepted as an upload to WikiTree. I've posted five generations of my ancestors to WikiTree and the remainder may be found on my personal website at www.barnum.org.

In addition to the Barnum/Barnham surname, I'm actively researching Pruitt, McAbee, Whaley, Holmes, Garrity, Black, Dinwiddie, Queal, Conant, LaVigne, Childs, Pence, Black, Forquer and Corser. My biggest brick wall at present (we all have one, right?) is the parentage of Elizabeth Monette Smith, born October 11, 1822 in Kentucky. 

In addition to my interest in online genealogy and DNA testing, I'm the compiler and editor of two books on Barnum family genealogy: Barnum Genealogy: 650 Years of Family History (2 vol.), Boston: Higginson Book Company, 2006 (1,387 pp) and Barnum Genealogy, Second Edition (3 vol.), Boston: Higginson Book Company, 2011 (2,242 pp).

I look forward to becoming an active participant on wikiTree. I'll be happy to share my expertise and knowledge and I look forward to learning from the shared experiences and research of many of you.

Comments

Welcome, Patrick! Splendid to have you here!

Abby

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Does Phineas Taylor aka P.T. , of  the Barnum Circus fame, relate to your set of Barnums ?

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Maggie, I was going to ask the same thing!  Great minds, eh? :)

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Maggie (and you, too, Eowyn),

Your question is one that I'm used to fielding. I quite often hear, "Are you related to P.T. Barnum?" The answer is "Yes!" Although Phineas Taylor "P.T." Barnum (1810-1891) had four daughters and no sons, he is a distant cousin of virtually everyone who carries the Barnum surname. In my own case, he is a fourth cousin five times removed.

With the exception of a few descendants of our English ancestors still living in England and Ireland, and using the spelling Barnham, we're all descended from the immigrant ancestor Thomas Barnum (1625-1695). In over 50 year of studying Barnum genealogy I've yet to find a Barnum who is not distantly related to me as aunt, uncle, cousin or grandparent in some degree.

Thanks for the warm welcome.... I'm looking forward to working, sharing and learning on WikiTree!

Kind regards,

Patrick

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Welcome Patrick

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Nice to meet you Patrick.

Answer 1

Welcome Patrick! Glad to have you among our troops!! You are a great addition and look forward to your contributions. 

You can upload more of your family members above the 5000 but the gedcom needs to be split up. Also, the number of profiles you "should"  maintain depends on the amount of time you have to participate on WikiTree.

Thanks again for joining our community Patrick!!

Comments

Michelle,

Thanks for the warm welcome! I've been retired for several years now and dedicate four to six hours a day to genealogical research and writing, mostly about the Barnum/Barnham family. While my association with WikiTree may add somewhat to my email traffic, I imagine I'll be able to keep up with it.

I look forward to helping others with their family lines while advancing my own research.

Patrick

Answer 2

What a great resume! Welcome aboard Patrick.

Comments

Ditto!

Answer 3

Hi Patrick!

Thank you so much for the great introduction you've given us! I'm excited for you to be a part of WikiTree. Glad you are here to join in the fun :)

Eowyn

P.S. If you ever have any GEDCOM questions, feel free to shoot me a message. Thanks!

Answer 4

Welcome Patrick, Glad to have you here