Tom Plunkett: Civil War Hero

I’ve come across a Civil War hero in the family tree. The husband of my 3rd cousin, four times removed,

Helen Lorimer was the civil war hero Thomas F. Plunkett. When war broke out Thomas was working as a boot maker and was engaged to be married to Helen.

Thomas enlisted with Company E, 21st Massachusetts infantry regiment during the Civil War. Tom had noticed after the battle of Chantilly that a friend had gone missing. He set aside his rifle and went to try and locate his friend when he came across a Confederate soldier. Tom was unarmed and managed to surprise the soldier from behind and take his rifle. He then marched his prisoner back to camp. Tom was made a Sergeant for this act.

Two weeks later at the battle of South Mountain Tom came across a wounded union officer leaning against a barn. The officer requested water which Tom provided and he made sure the officer was good before continuing to fight.

Fletcha Middleton: British Cricket player

Fletcha Scott Middleton (born 21 January 2002) is an English professional cricketer and one of

Hampshire’s most promising young batters. A right‑handed top‑order player and right‑arm off‑break bowler, Middleton has steadily risen through Hampshire’s ranks to become a regular feature in their First‑Class and List A sides.
Early Life and Development

Born in Winchester, Hampshire, Middleton grew up in a cricketing family—his father, Tony Middleton, played for Hampshire from 1984 to 1995 and later became the club’s batting coach. This strong cricketing environment shaped Fletcha’s early interest in the sport.

He joined Hampshire’s youth system at a young age, progressing rapidly from the Under‑14 side to the Under‑17s and the Academy by age 15. Middleton soon became one of the standout talents in age‑group cricket, earning recognition as the best batter in the ECB Lions Super 4s, a national Under‑17 competition.

Family Archeologist

Origins of an Explorer

Michael Alexander Arbuthnot was born on June 9, 1974, and grew up with a curiosity that pulled him

toward the edges of maps and the mysteries beneath the surface of things. His early academic path was unconventional for an archaeologist: a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy with a minor in Anthropology from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Philosophy sharpened his instinct for questioning assumptions; anthropology gave him the tools to seek answers in the material traces of human lives. By the time he entered Florida State University for his master’s degree, he had already begun to gravitate toward the world beneath the waves. He graduated magna cum laude, specializing in underwater archaeology—a field that would define much of his career.

Unusual Census Entry

I always thought this was an interesting find. This 1891 UK census entry is for Sir Ronald Doulton of "Royal Doulton" fame. It would be unusual in 1891 to have the wife listed as "Head" of the household. Also a personal comment has been added to the "M" married item. Ronald was my great grandfathers good friend and the origin of my name. I do have a couple items that were gifted to my great grandfather and brought to Canada in 1912 with the family.

Actor Alastair Mackenzie

 Alastair Mackenzie is a Scottish actor and writer who is probably best known for his role as Laird Archie

MacDonald in Monarch of the Glenn.  Alastair and his partner Scottish actress Susan Vidler have two children.  Alastair is the brother of Oscar nominated director, writer David Mackenzie.  They also have a sister.  The brothers founded Sigma Films of Glasgow, Scotland.

I found it interesting that Alastair was in the TV series "The Crown" and during the series there's a scene between the characters Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth discussing a tutor for Princess Diana.  They mentioned my cousin Sir Eric Anderson who actually did tutor Diana.  Sir Eric and Alastair are also cousins from the same Milroy side of our family.

Being a Star Wars fan I've recently enjoyed watching Alastair in the series "Andor" where he plays "Perrin Fertha".

Alastair and I are related through my maternal side and his paternal side of the Milroy family.  I have a double connection and he's both my 5th and 6th cousin.

IMDB Link

Superman 2025

Relative, Louisa Krause, recently posted on Instagram that she appears in the new Superman movie (2025). 

Louisa has appeared in many movies and television shows.  I try to watch any family related movies and tv shows when I can.  I've really enjoyed some of them.

In Superman she plays Sapphire Stagg girlfriend to Metamorpho and although she only makes a brief appearance my fingers are crossed that her character will be seen in any future movies.

To date the movie has made $600 million, about three times their budget so I think the chances are high for a sequel. 

Louisa and I are related through our maternal lines and we share Pennsylvania Welsh ancestry.  We're 5th cousins.

IMDB Link

A Royal Connection?

When I was growing up, every once in a while, at family gatherings I would overhear mention of our

blue blood. One day I asked my mother what they were talking about.

It seems that in 1972 shortly after the death of the Duke of Windsor (Edward the VIII) a Milroy family monument appeared in a cemetery in Galt, Ontario, Canada. The inscription is as follows:

“Millicent A.M.M.M.P.St., daughter of James and Helen Milroy (1890 – ), wife of Edward VIII, Duke of Windsor (1894 – 1972)”.

She not only claimed to be a Princess of the Stuart line of Kings in Scotland but also the wife of the Duke of Windsor. At the time the news made the newspapers around the world.

The story is that they met during a visit by the Prince to Galt, fell in love and were secretly married in 1943. The Prince of Wales did spend a lot of time at his ranch in Alberta and apparently Millicent is to have spent some time teaching in Alberta. The rumor even goes so far as to claim there were two children, Edward and Andrew who went to live with their father in England. She always said that the truth would be known after her death. Then shortly after her death her home was broken into, and many items stolen. It’s believed by some that the break in was to remove all evidence of the Royal connection.