The Meaning of “The Kindred Way”
The name of this website is “The Kindred Way”. What does that really mean?
If you look up Kindred in the dictionary it states; One’s family and relations, family, relatives, relations, kin, family members, connections, kith and kin, one’s own flesh and blood, clan, tribe, house, lineage; informal folks.
It started with my ancestors.
I was on ancestry.com which is so interesting that it can cause you not to want to do anything else. If you know someone researching their family tree, they will tell you the same thing. Originally I was on there to learn about my great grandfather on my mother’s side. My grandmother has no idea who her father was. She has never even seen a picture of him. As a child, she would ask her mother about him but she told her that there was no need to talk about him. My grandmother is halfway through her 90’s and I wanted to find something out but I couldn’t. It was as if he just vanished.
While I was on this trail, my father’s side of the family kept popping up. Kindred is not a widely given surname. Once I moved over to my dad’s side, everything started lining up. It took me all the way back to my 6 times Great Grandfather, Bartholomew Kindred. Bartholomew was the first to come from England to America. He ended up being the Master Weaver for Thomas Jefferson at Monticello from 1776 to 1778. He came during the Revolutionary War. His son’s who were from England ended up fighting in the Revolutionary War on the American side.
I could go on in great detail but I won’t. The point of this story is to tell you of their strength. They came by ship via France to America. Can you imagine the ship ride? This was not a carnival cruise, this was real life. No running water. Probably hardly any food.
According to “Passage To America”, the ship ride was described as such; “…during the voyage there is on board these ships terrible misery, stench, fumes, horror, vomiting, many kinds of seasickness, fever, dysentery, headache, heat, constipation, boils, scurvy, cancer, mouth rot, and the like, all of which come from old and sharply-salted food and meat, also from very bad and foul water, so that many die miserably.
I can’t even imagine. Now, this is strength and being tough. This is trying to escape to live a dream. You leave your home country via France because you could be murdered for treason. Your wife and your children must board a ship for what must have been a horrendous trip to make it to America.
That is bravery. That is strength. That is being strong when you don’t think you can but you have to be. That is The Kindred Way.
Doing it The Kindred Way
Here today, we are “Just living The Dream” or at least trying to live that way. What is the dream? It is what you want it to be for you. It is trying new things. Branching out doing things you have always wanted to do but didn’t think you could. It is being brave and taking a leap of faith. Here you will find us doing easy, fun stuff along with serious, important stuff. It’s being who you always wanted to be but couldn’t. It is trying to be healthy when you haven’t been for a while. It is being creative when you don’t have a creative bone in your body. It is learning to be self-sufficient when you don’t know where to begin. No matter what we do, we are doing it The Kindred Way.
Until next time,
Kari
I love this story of strength! Strong is the utter definition of who you are- name is so fitting. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Heather!
what an awesome last name and family we have. I love this blog aunt kari!
I love our name and I love you too Kaleigh!
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Bartholomew Kindred is also my 6th Great Grandfather. I am a descendent from his son William. Thank you for your inspirational writings! Jill Rittman Richardson
Hi Jill! Glad you left a comment about Bartholomew Kindred. I guess that makes us distant cousins. We both come from his son William. It is so interesting to find out who you come from. I hope to go further back into their time in England. Thanks
Hi, Kari! Another distant cousin here, descended from William’s brother Thomas Kindred! He was my 5th ggrandfather.
Hello Cousin! This is awesome! Isn’t it wonderful to know where you come from and then hear from family, even if they are distant? So glad you reached out.
I just stumbled on your site while researching when Bartholomew Kindred, Sr crossed the pond. ‘Twas 1744, from what I’ve gathered. The farthest back I’ve been able to go is Bartholomew’s father, who was also named William Kindred, b: 1690 in Haltwhistle Parish, Northumberland County, England. d: ???? m: April 17, 1710 in Bywell, St. Andrews, Northumberland County, England to Jane Colson, b: March 26, 1692 in Calfield Farm. They had six children: Thomas in 1711, William in 1712, Mary in 1714, Anne in 1719, Jane in 1724/25, and the youngest, Bartholomew on July 30, 1727 in Haltwhistle , Northumberland, England. I am also a descendant of his son William. Throughout my life, as people heard my last name, many have commented on what a great name that is!
I just came across your blog just perusing the web to see what may have cropped up over the years in the Kindred Family research. How neat to see so many “relatives” comments! I am also a descendent of Bartholomew Kindred and his son, Thomas. Thomas moved from Charlottesville, VA, to what was then Morgan County, Tennessee. Thomas had a son, Thornton. Thornton also had a son named Thornton, and he was a Corporal in the Civil War. Thornton Jr. had a son, John Darius. John Darius had a son who was also named John Darius, but he went by JD. This was my dad’s father. I have found it fascinating to read about Bartholomew and his sons working for Thomas Jefferson at Monticello. I lived in Richmond, and I actually visited Monticello and walked through the weavers quarters without even knowing that my feet were trapsing the same ground as my ancestors! How wonderful! I plan to go back with a completely different appreciation for that area! I would also like to do some research to see if anyone has figured out where Bartholomew is buried in St. Anne’s Parish. Thank you for your blog. It is encouraging to see such a strong resolve on your part when dealing with two children who have autism. This MUST be the Kindred Way…the Kindred Spirit!
I just found this looking at family history. It’s very interesting reading these comments. I am a sixth great grandson and decedent of Bartholomew Jr and his son William. Thank you!
This is such a great find!! I am also a descendent:) my grandfather (papaw) is still living at age 97! Kenneth Kindred is his name and his grandfather was Horace:) hopefully we can connect.
Bartholomew Kindred, Sr is my 5x great grandfather! Thank you for sharing this story!!