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When researching family history, most people dream of discovering they are descendant of famous historical figures. But what about discovering you are related to someone horrible?
Yep, I'm related to a serial killer, Michael Onesi writes. http://torstar.co/xERz50ATxy5
Yep, I'm related to a serial killer, Michael Onesi writes. http://torstar.co/xERz50ATxy5
At first, I thought I was a direct descendant of a famous English author when I discovered my great-great-great-grandmother was named Jane Austin and was born in England in 1826. But a quick Google search crushed my dreams. https://www.thestar.com/life/2020/08/07/i-thought-i-was-related-to-jane-austen-turns-out-theres-a-serial-killer-in-my-family-tree.html?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=SocialMedia&utm_campaign=OpinionContributor&utm_content=janeaustenserialkiller
Instead, I made a shocking discovery about a relative who died in 1830. Publicly executed to be more specific.
I learned my fifth great-uncle, Charles Routley, was a serial killer. https://www.thestar.com/life/2020/08/07/i-thought-i-was-related-to-jane-austen-turns-out-theres-a-serial-killer-in-my-family-tree.html?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=SocialMedia&utm_campaign=OpinionContributor&utm_content=janeaustenserialkiller
I learned my fifth great-uncle, Charles Routley, was a serial killer. https://www.thestar.com/life/2020/08/07/i-thought-i-was-related-to-jane-austen-turns-out-theres-a-serial-killer-in-my-family-tree.html?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=SocialMedia&utm_campaign=OpinionContributor&utm_content=janeaustenserialkiller
I was shocked but not too concerned. Every family has a bad apple, or a very bad apple. Then I read this: “This wretched man appears to have been one of the most horrid and blood thirsty monsters that have yet disgraced the annals of humanity" https://www.thestar.com/life/2020/08/07/i-thought-i-was-related-to-jane-austen-turns-out-theres-a-serial-killer-in-my-family-tree.html?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=SocialMedia&utm_campaign=OpinionContributor&utm_content=janeaustenserialkiller
After more googling, I discovered Routley, my fifth great-uncle, was a lifelong criminal who murdered six people. https://www.thestar.com/life/2020/08/07/i-thought-i-was-related-to-jane-austen-turns-out-theres-a-serial-killer-in-my-family-tree.html?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=SocialMedia&utm_campaign=OpinionContributor&utm_content=janeaustenserialkiller
People who begin to research their family history need to realize they might discover something they do not want to find.
More into Michael Onesi's discovery: https://www.thestar.com/life/2020/08/07/i-thought-i-was-related-to-jane-austen-turns-out-theres-a-serial-killer-in-my-family-tree.html?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=SocialMedia&utm_campaign=OpinionContributor&utm_content=janeaustenserialkiller
More into Michael Onesi's discovery: https://www.thestar.com/life/2020/08/07/i-thought-i-was-related-to-jane-austen-turns-out-theres-a-serial-killer-in-my-family-tree.html?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=SocialMedia&utm_campaign=OpinionContributor&utm_content=janeaustenserialkiller
