String Genealogy of Silent Screen Star, Clara Bow
Clara Bow, the glamorous Hollywood actress of the flapper era of the 1920's and 30's, was the "It" girl - an obvious reference to her sexuality - bestowed after the release of the 1927 Elinor Glynn - Clarence Badger movie silent, "It." Clara Bow may have served as the characterization for Betty Boop.
String Theory
Lots of people would give an eyetooth to be able to say they have Clara Bow or any other famous person in their family tree, but they cannot legitimately do so. Vince's version of genealogy (see the article entitled, "Perverted Genealogy: a Different Sort of String Theory") can come to your rescue!Since everybody is related to everybody else, there is some connection between each and every one of us. If you broaden out your researches, you will eventually encompass one or more famous persons. In my case, I was surprised to discover Clara Bow turn up.
My Connection to Clara Bow
Clara Gordon Bow (1905-1965) was the daughter of Robert Walter Bow and Sarah F. Gordon. The family lived in California, but hailed from New York.Robert apparently became enamored by the glitz of the acting world. Sarah proved to be only the first of three wives for Robert. His second wife was Ella "Idella" Mowrey.
Ella Mowrey was the daughter of Ella May Cure (also listed as Curea) and Ella's second husband (whose given name, unfortunately, remains unknown).
Ella May Cure was the daughter of Jule Ferdinand Cure Jr. and the third of his four wives, Elizabeth Lehman. "Lizzie" had been born in Philadelphia, but died in South Gate, Los Angeles County, California in 1970.
Jule Jr. was the brother of Marie Antoinette Hortense Cure, who married Philadelphia instrument-maker George Childs Fitzgerald.
George Childs Fitzgerald was the grandson of George Killinger Fitzgerald and Elizabeth Rees, my triple-great-grandparents. George was employed as an oak cooper.
What This Means for You
Clearly, the connection between "yours truly" and Clara Bow is tenuous at best! Still, the connection exists! Doubtless, if you try hard enough, you will find some famous connection to your ordinary family tree as well. Perhaps you seek your connection to some king or queen. Or maybe you prefer a famous opera singer or poet. Rest assured, if you only search hard and long enough, you will find those connections. We all have them.The Clara Bow Picture Page
Clara Bow: My Life Story as told to Adela Rogers St. Johns
Published by Vincent Summers
My secular expertise includes 23 years of experience at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, with a share in NASA's extended Voyager 2 effort. I formerly wrote for Demand Studios, Bukisa, Suite 101, Exa... View profile
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13 Comments
Post a CommentI always knew there was talent somewhere in my family! Thanks.
What a fascinating topic. For some reason, before reading this piece, I associated Clara Bow with a much earlier time.
Soooo cool. I never would have considered this one.
Does Bugs Bunny count? Excellent report and good researching!
Good one! I want to find out I'm related to Bill Gates or his wife, Melinda!
You're right. My husband is related to Betty Boop!
The closest we get to noteworthy folks is the following connection to early settlers. This from their website, "In 1678, a small but brave group of French-speaking Huguenot refugees from what is today southern Belgium and northern France set out to create a community of their own — and so began an American Story that continues today.
Their search led them to the Esopus Indians, part of the Lenape Nation. With them the Huguenots negotiated for the purchase of 40,000 acres in what we know as New York's Mid-Hudson Valley." cheers :)
very cool :)
Vincent, your "tenuous" connection to Clara is very neat. We love tracing our families as well. BTW, I recognized the picture of Clara right away. A fun read, sir!
Hey, as I was commenting here I mentioned Clara Bow's name, and he immediately said, "The IT girl, right?" Chalk one up for him!