Famous Dead Relatives

Grandma Michelle is currently doing research on the ancestry and heritage of the Fortin-clan in Canada on www.ancestry.com and sent us this list of famous dead people that were all related to the Fortin's by blood. It is really impressive to see how an web service like Ancestry can make information like this available to pretty much anyone! So, below you'll be surprised to read that Shaena is related to legends like Brando, James Dean, John Wayne and even Joan of Arc!

American Actor
Marlon Brando, Jr. was an Oscar-winning actor who appeared in many films including A Streetcar Named Desire, The Godfather, Julius Caesar, On the Waterfront, and Superman.
Relationship: 7th Cousin 6 times removed

American Actress and Comedian
Lucille Desiree Ball was the comedic star of the 1950s TV show I Love Lucy. Often called, "The Queen of Comedy," Ball has acted in Broadway productions, motion pictures, and TV shows.

American Actor
John Wayne, a western film icon, was named Marion Robert Morrison at birth. His parents later changed his name to Marion Michael Morrison. He starred in many different movies including True Grit, The Alamo, and The Green Berets.
Relationship: 5th Cousin 9 times removed

French Explorer
On his first voyage to try and find a western trade route to Asia, Jacques Cartier instead stumbled upon what is present day Quebec. He is the first known European to explore Canada. In total, Cartier made 3 voyages to explore and settle Canada.
Relationship: 18th Great Grandfather

American Actor
James Dean is perhaps best known for his starring roles in Rebel without a Cause, East of Eden, and Giant. His film career abruptly ended when Dean was killed in a car accident at the age of 24.
Relationship: 2nd Cousin 7 times removed

Former Prime Minister
Louis St. Laurent was the 12th Prime Minister of Canada. Remembered as shy, reserved, dignified, and grandfatherly, he demanded hard work of his staff and also of himself.
Relationship: 4th Cousin 3 times removed

Former Prime Minister
Henry Charles Wilfred Laurier was the 7th Prime Minister of Canada. Considered one of Canada's greatest statesmen, Laurier is known for his policies of conciliation and for nation building.
Relationship: 4th Cousin 3 times removed

Former Prime Minister
Pierre Elliot Trudeau held the position of Prime Minister of Canada longer than anyone since William Lion Mackenzie King in 1948. Trudeau's style and attitude as Prime Minister was all his own.
Relationship: 4th Cousin 4 times removed

Hockey Player
Hockey player Maurice "Rocket" Richard was the first to score 50 goals in one season, doing so in 50 games, and the first to score 500 goals in a career. He finished his career with 544 goals in the regular season, with 82 in the playoffs.

French Microbiologist and Chemist
Louis Pasteur is famous for "pasteurization," a means of preventing milk from going sour. He also invented the first vaccine for rabies.
Relationship: 2nd Cousin 13 times removed

French Military Hero
Joan of Arc became a military hero at the age of 17. She was burned at the stake for treason when she fell prisoner in England. She was only 19 when she died.
Relationship: Distant Great Grand Aunt