Bloodlines of Salem facts for kids

"Witchcraft at Salem Village" likely by F.O.C. Darley, Granville Perkins or William Ludwell Sheppard, ill. Published in "Pioneers in the settlement of America: From Florida in 1510 to California in 1849," by William August Crafts, Vol. 1, p. 453, Boston: Samuel Walker and Co. 1876.

Bloodlines of Salem was a group based in Salt Lake City, USA. This group focused on family history. Its main goal was to help people learn about the Salem Witch Trials of 1692.

The group also helped people find out if they were related to anyone involved in these famous trials. Many people who visited the group's website researched their own family trees. They often found connections to the people from the trials. The Salem Witch Trials happened over 300 years ago. They are still an important part of studying history, law, and religion.

What Was Bloodlines of Salem?

Bloodlines of Salem, often called BLoS, was a group for people interested in family history. It was founded in 2007 in Salt Lake City. This city is home to a very large family history library. The group wanted to help people who thought they might be related to those involved in the Salem Witch Trials. They also welcomed anyone who was simply interested in the trials. Steven Hale was the head of BLoS in 2013.

Who Could Join the Group?

Joining Bloodlines of Salem was free. People could become members if they wanted to learn about the Salem Witch Trials. They also had to agree to share information about the trials. Members promised to help keep the memory of the trials and its participants alive. They did this by connecting families and saving their family histories.

Becoming a Descendant Member

Some people could become "descendant members." This meant they had to prove they were directly related to someone from the Salem Witch Trials. They needed to show their family tree in detail. This special membership was also free.

What Did the Group Do?

The group's researchers looked into the family trees of many people. They found and shared information about famous people who were related to those from the trials.

Famous Connections

In 2007, the group found an interesting connection. They discovered that Harry Potter film actor Tom Felton is related to several people from the trials. These included Lt. Nathaniel Felton and John Proctor. John Proctor was hanged during the trials.

The group's website also listed other famous people. These included Walt Disney, Princess Diana, and Ray Bradbury. All of them were noted as descendants of people involved in the trials.

The Group's End

The Bloodlines of Salem organization stopped existing in 2018.