Once upon a time in the enchanting Finger Lakes region of New York, there lived a remarkable and mysterious lady. Rumor had it that she possessed magical powers beyond human comprehension. Legends of her abilities spread far and wide, captivating the imaginations of all who heard her tales. Known simply as the "Magical Lady from the Finger Lakes," her existence remained shrouded in secrecy. Some whispered that she had been born with her powers, while others believed she had acquired them through ancient spells or secret rituals. Regardless of the source of her magic, it was undeniable that she possessed an otherworldly aura that intrigued and fascinated.
You must also keep in mind that people’s first names and surnames change over time. For example, when the Irish emigrated to America during the Great Famine, very few of them could spell. So on arrival, many of them were asked to spell their names and were unable to do so, so the person at the border control had to guess how it was spelt. Common Irish names like Seán were spelled Shaun. Also, when a witches family moved from the area they lived in, they would often change their name on purpose so others wouldn’t associate their family with witches. This makes finding witch ancestors a bit more challenging.
So on arrival, many of them were asked to spell their names and were unable to do so, so the person at the border control had to guess how it was spelt. Imagine yourself in the 18th century in Europe, in one of the countries you have found your ancestors have come from, speak to the local people and your ancestors to see what they have to say.
Regardless of the source of her magic, it was undeniable that she possessed an otherworldly aura that intrigued and fascinated. The Magical Lady's powers were said to be vast and varied. She was believed to have the ability to control the elements, summoning wind and rain at will.
Genes and Screams: Spooky Tales from the Hallotree | Chapter 3
Salem Witch Trials Archaeology Site By Matthias J. Schoenhofer assumed (based on copyright claims). – CC BY 2.5.
It’s time to get to the real meat and potatoes of Halloween. The nitty-gritty of spooky lore. Take all of the most essential ingredients of the holiday and pour them into a big cauldron over a large flame. Mix it all together with a comically large ladle. Stew. A witch’s stew. This is the analogy I’m making here. We’re talking about witches now.
All of this comes with a huge disclaimer that, not unlike other Halloween lore, witches come from real history, and their history often involves legitimate suffering and death. Like most, if not all, of the fun children’s stories, songs, and rituals, witches and witchcraft are not without a very troubled past. It would be nice if this mythology was completely fictional and came from the mind of a creative author. But, like Tolkien trying to come to terms with the horrors of actual war by creating a fictional world of orcs, hobbits, and wizards, not even the most innocent-seeming children’s pastime can originate without adversity.
Salem Witch Trials
Petition for bail of eleven accused people from Ipswich, 1692 | By Bryce Barbara – John Davis Batchelder Autograph Collection, Words and Deeds in American History: Selected Documents Celebrating the Manuscript Division’s First 100 Years, Library of Congress, Public Domain,
Women have historically borne the brunt of witchcraft accusations and punishments. For example, the Salem witch trials are not easy to read about. While it’s likely that many people today are descendants of women accused of witchcraft, it hasn’t been as easy to link them genetically. Since women don’t have a Y chromosome, and Y-DNA testing and research has some genealogical advantages over other testing forms, we have been able to link some people today to accused witches or their relatives.
Samuel Wardwell
For example, one of the small number of men accused of witchcraft, Samuel Wardwell, was an easy target for these accusations. He was really into the occult, was offbeat, and may have claimed to be magic himself. Three traits that may win you some really interesting friends today,
Picture of Samuel Wardwell’s gravestone.
but back then turned out to be a death sentence. Samuel has several well known modern descendants, including Ernest Hemingway and actor Scott Foley. If you belong to haplogroup R and take our Big Y-700 test, the new Discover tool can literally list Mr. Wardwell as a notable person in your ancestral history!
Disney’s Witches
The only minister ever executed for witchcraft, George Gurroughs, also had a famous descendant: Walt Disney. Disney himself was responsible for creating the Maleficent character in Sleeping Beauty, a famous fictional witch. Sarah Jessica Parker, the famed actress who appeared as a witch in Disney’s Hocus Pocus franchise, is also descended from Esther Dutch Elwell, an accused witch. The artist Norman Rockwell also descended from Esther. It’s rumored that more of Mr. Disney’s relatives can be found within the FamilyTreeDNA Disney Project!
Are You Related to a Witch?
Even more celebrities and notable people today are known to be descendants of accused witches. As more people take the Big Y-700, we develop more tools within Big Y/Discover itself, research continues, and future projects (possibly a similarly equivalent mtDNA tool) are planned and mapped out. The possibility of finding more about your ancestry is seemingly limitless.
You can see if you’re related to an accused witch with Discover! See if Samuel Wardwell is one of your connections.
As we prepare for the candy, haunts, and spooky vibes of Halloween, it’s important to remember that our ancestors often weren’t so fortunate. Though it seems like ancient history, the Salem trials weren’t that long ago, relatively speaking. They were also, by no means, the last of their kind. Stigmas and accusations continued well into the 20th century. Taking a DNA test is one tool to immediately connect you with those that lived before us. It has personally helped me to not only find current relatives but to view my ancestral story as a whole. Similar to an astronaut looking at the earth from afar, looking at my results shows me how intimate and recent most of these seemingly ancient events really are.
Genealogy has gotten pretty sophisticated in recent years. There are now massive online archives that make it easier than ever to hunt down obscure ancestors, not to mention mail-in DNA tests that can reach back centuries. But an approximately 350-year-old manuscript published online for the first time can reveal another fascinating detail about one's family history: whether any ancestors were accused of practicing witchcraft.
It was said that her touch could heal the wounded and soothe the restless souls. Some even claimed she could communicate with animals, understanding their thoughts and desires. But perhaps her most renowned power was her ability to see into the future. Villagers from far and wide sought her out for her prophetic visions, hoping to catch a glimpse of their destiny or learn of impending events. Her wisdom and insight were regarded with the utmost respect, and many considered her as an oracle of sorts. Throughout the Finger Lakes region, tales of the Magical Lady continued to spread like wildfire. Whispers of her kind heart and selfless nature accompanied stories of her enchanting abilities. It was said that she used her magic not for personal gain but to bring happiness and harmony to those around her. She was known to intervene in disputes and mend broken relationships, using her powers to foster unity and understanding. As the years went by, the Magical Lady from the Finger Lakes became more than a mere legend – she became a symbol of hope and wonder. Her presence brought a sense of magic and possibility to the lives of those who crossed her path. People flocked to the region, drawn by the allure of her supernatural presence and the chance to witness her miraculous abilities firsthand. To this day, the identity of the Magical Lady from the Finger Lakes remains a mystery. Some say she still resides in the region, her magic enriching the lives of those fortunate enough to encounter her. Others believe she has vanished, leaving behind only the legends and stories that have become an integral part of Finger Lakes folklore. Regardless of whether she is fact or fiction, the legacy of the Magical Lady lives on. Her legend continues to capture the hearts and minds of those who hear her tales. The Finger Lakes region retains its mystical charm, forever intertwined with the mystical presence of the Magical Lady..
Reviews for "Uncovering the Secrets of Finger Lakes: The Legend of the Lady"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Magical lady from the finger lakes". The story felt disjointed and rushed, with no real character development. The plot was all over the place, and I couldn't connect with any of the characters. The writing style was also unappealing, with long, convoluted sentences that made it difficult to follow. Overall, this book just didn't live up to my expectations.
2. Mark - 1 star - I couldn't even finish "Magical lady from the finger lakes". The writing was incredibly amateurish, with poor grammar and punctuation throughout. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and the descriptions lacked depth and detail. The plot was predictable and unoriginal, offering nothing new or exciting. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-written and captivating read.
3. Emily - 2 stars - "Magical lady from the finger lakes" had so much potential, but it fell flat for me. The characters were shallow and one-dimensional, and I couldn't connect with any of them. The pacing was off, with some parts dragging on for too long while others were rushed. The magical elements in the story were poorly explained and didn't make much sense. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and underwhelmed by this book.
4. Alex - 3 stars - While "Magical lady from the finger lakes" had an interesting premise, it didn't quite live up to my expectations. The writing style was engaging, but the plot felt disjointed and lacked coherence. I also found the characters to be underdeveloped, and their motivations and actions were often unclear. The book had some potential, but it needed more polish and refinement to truly shine.
5. Jessica - 2 stars - I found "Magical lady from the finger lakes" to be a frustrating read. The story had a lot of potential, but it was poorly executed. The pacing was off, with the plot dragging in some parts and rushing through others. The characters lacked depth and were difficult to relate to. The book seemed to jump from one idea to another without fully exploring any of them. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and disappointed with this book.