Cousin Judy Garland

My mother Marie Loree Bowen (Hagler) was always told that she bore a resemblance to Judy Garland. Mom could also sing, beautifully.  She and my father met when performing in a high school production of "H.M.S. Pinafore" -with parents like that, we all inherited the singing bug. 

Mom was often asked if she was related to Garland. 
Little did she know that she was. 

My DNA connected with another cousin of Judy's,  a 4th cousin to me. Then, looking up our family genealogy, we found that Judy Garland (a.k.a. Frances Gumm) ‘s 5th great-grandparents William Batte Sr. and Mary (Stratton) Batte are my 8th great-grandparents (mom’s father’s side). 

William and Mary’s son William was the direct line ancestor to Judy; their daughter Mary "Polly" Batte, who married our 7th great-grandfather Richard Bennett, is our direct ancestor.

These are the kind of surprises that keep me at my family’s genealogy research.