Family identity is unique and defines a family. The possibility that a historical figure from centuries ago could influence somebody in her everyday life is an interesting thought. Navigating this prospect has led to many more questions. The historical figure is William Bradford who fled England in fear of religious prosecution. I did not know about William Bradford’s connection to my family until two months ago, yet I am a political science major and my brother is studying to be a teacher. Bradford’s role in politics could have influenced my grandmother and me without even knowing it. My grandmother was involved with politics her entire life as well as other members of our family. While researching, I also found that there were a long line…show more content… After discovering that I could possibly be related to him I wanted to find a possible pattern woven in my family that traced back to Bradford. I spoke with several family members and was about to determine in what way I was related to Bradford. William Bradford’s sister, Alice Bradford, married a Cornwall in Austerfield, Yorkshire, which is of my mother’s father’s side of the family. After researching, I found that my grandmother, Kathleen, was not directly related to William Bradford like I had first thought. She married my grandfather, Donald, who is directly related to Bradford. However, I do believe that my grandmother had a political inclining because of the environment of her home growing up. My great grandmother, Kathleen, was extremely strong willed and thick headed, and had an opinion concerning almost everything, which I believe my grandmother inherited and she exerted her qualities in a different…show more content… William Bradford does not have as much of an influence as I first thought. However, I do find it interesting that he is one of my ancestors because he signed the Mayflower Compact and impacted Plymouth colony’s society. He laid a strong foundation for New England that can still be seen today regarding values and beliefs of many people. I discovered that my family did not speak of him often because he truly is very distant, and I had hoped to find some kind of history that would change that. I am glad that I uncovered the truth and now know that politics do not necessarily stem back to the Mayflower in my family, but definitely a few generations. After conducting further research and finding that my family has a long line of educators behind my grandfather, I have come to the conclusion that Bradford truly was an educator that became a political leader because he had strong beliefs and wanted a better society. In my opinion, this is a perfect example that to become a powerful and influential politician, you must be educated and truly want to improve the
