The latest development in my research is the confirmation that Sarah Helen Whitman and I (the creator of this site and A Walking Tour of Poe’s Providence) are related. Sixth cousins six times removed, to be precise. Her 5th great-grandfather is my 11th great-grandfather, John Gould VII (1584-1650) from Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, England.
John Gould VII had three children: John Gould VIII, Thomas Salem Gould, and Nathan Gould. John Gould VIII is Whitman’s 4th great-grandfather, and his brother, Thomas Gould, is my 10th great-grandfather.
A few years ago while I was at the John Hay Library digging through Whitman’s papers, I came across her family tree. I saw that her great-grandmother on her mother’s side was named Mary Gould. I thought that it was a funny coincidence that I had the Gould name on my mother’s side as well. I was hopeful for a connection, but never set the time aside to do the genealogy research. Well, I was finally able to work on the family trees, tracing the Goulds on both sides until they intersected in England.
Edgar Allan Poe: Rhode Island 
Happy Thanksgiving! We love history and ancestry hunting! How nice that you found a family connection with her! I always say that we are all related anyway! Enjoy today! Pat & Vin
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Thank you for your comment, Pat and Vin! You’re right, somewhere down the line, we are all related somehow. But it was definitely surreal to find this familial connection to Mrs. Whitman. It makes me feel like I’m doing the right work!
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That’s amazing, Levi! Bizarre, but amazing. Good job making the connection. Always nice when your own instincts and passions are confirmed by research and genealogy. You share the same blood with Edgar’s great love! And a belated Happy Thanksgiving to you, Sir. I’m still in NYC, and my daughter- whom you met- is spending the year at… Oxford University! Pretty cool I must say. I’ve been busy all year promoting my new film, Crumb Catcher. It’s a comedy-thriller streaming on Amazon Prime, Apple TV and YouTube. By all means check it out when time permits! Peace and Poe- John Speredakos
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Hi, John! Always a pleasure to hear from you. Congratulations to your daughter! What an achievement. I will certainly check out your new film, and I encourage others who may be seeing this comment to watch it, too. John does incredible work! I hope you have a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and all that jazz. Be well!
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