November 26, 2008 Boy uncovers family tie to William Bradford Play video

(Greg Wayland, NECN) - This is a silver book on William Bradford. It shows William Bradford's history family history.

Kevin Murray, Westwood, Mass. Age eleven. Bangs, freckles and an inquiring mind.

And he found out a famous Mayflower passenger is among his forebears.

Stern, mustachioed William Bradford. Plymouth colony governor and leader. Who knew?

Certainly not his dad Bill, even though the connection is through his mother's line.

Most of my family is from Ireland, so we had no idea. His Irish-Italian mom Lisa had no idea, either

Kevin, a sixth-grader now, became curious after a third grade field trip to Plymouth colony.

And I always wondered if I was related to one of the pilgrims. -- You really wondered that? -- Yeah, in third grade.

So he decided to do some research.

“I went to the New England Historic Genealogical Society” -- Who sent you there? – “My parents. I asked to go for my eleventh birthday present.”

A genealogy field trip instead of a Wii game or Guitar Hero?

It's not something that's just happened. It's been something that's been in Kevin since he was seven years old. He's always had this yearning to know more about hit family history.

They've got stacks, ancient texts and microfilm at the historic and genealogical society. I know. I've been there. But Kevin hit the Mayflower jackpot.

It only costs fifteen dollars to check out your family history. And,

as luck would have it, a top researcher named David Lambert was there and he helped me research my family history.

“I found out I was related to William Bradford and he was my ninth great grandfather.”

Now Kevin can't get enough of pilgrim lore -- or genealogy.

It's really interesting to find out where you came from and who, like, was the first person to come over here and like why you're here today.

It will add a little sauce to the Murray’s holiday meal.

It makes it very special to know that you came from someone who basically invented the first thanksgiving.

Kevin even knows the first thanksgiving menu.

They had turkey, chicken and deer and I think they might have had moose, too.

Will there be moose on the Murray’s table?

Don't think we're going to go that far.

But pumpkin pie for sure. And a toast to pilgrim relatives everywhere.