Sarah Palin is a tenth cousin of Princess Diana, according to Ancestry.com. Both women are descendants of John Strong and his wife Abigail Ford. Strong was born around 1605 in England and emigrated to the United States.
Mrs. Palin is also the ninth cousin once removed of President Franklin D Roosevelt. Their common ancestor is Reverend John Lothrop, who arrived in Massachusetts in 1634.
Ancestry.com's chief family historian Megan Smolenyak said: "When you've got candidates who have deep roots in America, there's a good chance that they're going to have some famous cousins.
"We've all got literally millions of cousins. The trick is finding that one little connection that results in something like Sarah Palin being related to FDR or Diana."
Since FDR was mentioned in this article, I thought I'd point out that the book "Ancestors of American Presidents" by Gary Boyd Roberts, shows that FDR was related to several other presidents: Nixon, Ford, Bush; as well as to Winston Churchill. They were all descended from Mayflower passenger John Howland (or John's father). Joan, do you know which Mayflower passengers are Palin's ancestors? I'd be proud to be related to her as well as (I am) to the above named John Howland descendants (there are other famous descendants, such as Norman Rockwell - loved his Saturday Evening Post covers when I was growing up!
Posted by: Joy | October 09, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong but I'm under the impression that FDR is also a descendant of Elder John Strong & Abigail Ford through their son Elder Ebenezer Strong > Mary Strong > Mary Sheldon > Joseph Lyman > Cathrine Lyman > Sarah Delano > FDR
Posted by: Ray Rogers | October 09, 2008 at 03:35 PM
She's related to FDR, but this also makes her cousins of George W Bush. The newspaper articles seemed to leave that out at this time of financial crisis. Interesting that they would link her to FDR, when they could have chosen so many other people. How do I know that she is related to Bush? Because I am a member of a leading lineage society who's proven my own lineage. I am a descendant of John Lothrop also. Unfortunately that makes Palin my cousin too. But I am not voting for her.
Posted by: Sariel | October 10, 2008 at 11:57 AM
I too, am related to FDR and Diana. Also to Richard Nixon, George Wathington, The Bush's, Robert E. Lee and Walt Disney. This means that I, too and related to Sarah Palin and she to those others. Charlemagne was my 28th great grandfather. It's a fascinating hobby and I am adding Sarah Palin to my geneology list. I am honored to be related to her> I think she is exaxctly what this country needs - new blood - and no a "good ole boy". I hope this will renew interest in people finding out who their ancestors are and researching their roots. It really makes you feel connected to others and to this country. We all need that right now!
Posted by: kathy | October 10, 2008 at 12:35 PM
I too, am related to FDR and Diana. Also to Richard Nixon, George Washington, The Bush's, Robert E. Lee and Walt Disney. This means that I, too am related to Sarah Palin and she to those others. Charlemagne was my 28th great grandfather. It's a fascinating hobby and I am adding Sarah Palin to my geneology list. I am honored to be related to her. I think she is exactly what this country needs - new blood - and no a "good ole boy". I hope this will renew interest in people finding out who their ancestors are and researching their roots. It really makes you feel connected to others and to this country. We all need that right now!
Posted by: kathy | October 10, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Who cares?
Posted by: Oxa | October 10, 2008 at 01:20 PM
Are sources posted for these long list of ancestors?????
I was always told you need absolute proof.
Please advise.
Posted by: Cathie | October 10, 2008 at 04:56 PM
I am a descendant of a long line of cut-purses, non-jurors, horse thieves, a flim-flam man or two, plus more than one never-married union. Stephen Hopkins (Mayflower) is my 13th g-grandfather, and he would surely applaud our refusal to live by the rules. However, I am most proud that I have NO politicians that I know of in my background -- it gives me great comfort in times like these!
Posted by: Susan | October 10, 2008 at 09:08 PM
Can someone give me the url to this article on Ancestry? I can't find it anywhere.
Thanks.
Posted by: Kathy Tabb | October 11, 2008 at 07:51 PM
As someone recently said, SO!
Posted by: Howard Faulkner | October 13, 2008 at 05:01 AM
Wow, all I need to be now is a distant cousin of Biden and I'll be related to both sides. lol
Posted by: Stephanie | October 17, 2008 at 02:58 PM
Thanks for this information.
Sarah Palin rocks!! She has my vote and the vote of nearly all my friends/co-workers.
Posted by: Hanah | October 27, 2008 at 03:44 PM
I love it when everybody is always related to Kings and Queens and Presidents and members of congress. I wonder if they ever do a genealogy chart and find they are just plain folks. And descended to hard working, American loving people.
Posted by: Marge Davis | November 18, 2009 at 01:45 AM