Famous Cousins

AJ Cousin Connection: Louis Vuitton

Today’s AJ Cousin Connection is French fashion designer Louis Vuitton, who was born on this day, 4 August, in 1821.

In 1835 at the age of 14, Louis ran away from home to walk the 292 miles to Paris. He supported himself with odd jobs along the way, sleeping wherever he found shelter. I’m 1837 at the age of 16 he arrived in Paris. He apprenticed in the workshop of a successful box-maker and packer named Monsieur Marecha. There Louis learned the 19th century craft of custom box making. This involved not only making the fitted boxes, but packing and unpacking them also. Louis established a good reputation for his craft and service.

When Eugenie de Montijo, married Napoleon IIII, she hired Louis as her personal box-maker and packer. Vuitton now had access to a class of elite and royal clientele who would seek his services for the duration of his life. [1]

Louis Vuitton is AJ’s wife’s second cousin’s husband’s first cousin’s wife’s fourth cousin once removed’s wife’s second cousin twice removed’s husband’s brother’s wife’s second great grandfather!

Here’s what that looks like (You = AJ):

Chart courtesy of Geni.com

1. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Vuitton-1

You’re Probably Related to Ryan Gosling

Buzzfeed posted this great article today about AJ and the Global Family Reunion! Cousins Ricky Gervais and George H.W. Bush make cameo appearances along with several other cousins.  Thank you Buzzfeed!

Cousin Chrissy Teigen

AJ Cousin Connection of the Day: Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarznegger is probably best known for his line “I’ll be back” (read that with a thick Austrian accent), for his political role as the “Governator” of the state of California and for his marriage to Maria Schriver, niece of U.S. President John F. Kennedy.  Arnold was born July 30, 1947, in Thal, Austria.   He is an actor, film producer, activist, businessman, investor, writer, philanthropist, former professional bodybuilder and as mentioned, 38th Governor of California.

Check out a couple different ways Arnold is connected to AJ!

Geni.com:

WikiTree.com:

Are you related to Arnold, Maria or the Kennedys? If so, be sure to write us at globalfamily15@gmail.com and let us know!

AJ Chats with Close Cousin Daniel Radcliffe for People Magazine

From AJ: In this week’s People magazine, I interview my VERY close cousin Daniel Radcliffe – a mere 38 degrees of separation. Thanks to the folks at WikiTree and Geni for figuring out how we’re related. (It’s not online yet, so I’m posting a picture of the article’s beginning. If I posted the whole thing I would have to pay Time Inc. several million dollars in damages)

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