The Amazing Connection Between The Obamas And The Duke And Duchess Of Sussex

Their Third Great Grandmothers Are On The Same Census Records

Photos: Chris Jackson/Getty Images, Joyce N. Boghosian/The White House via Getty Images

After the Emancipation Proclamation of 1865, Melvinia Shields opted to stay in Georgia and settled in the village of Rex, which is in the same county as Jonesboro. Melvinia is even listed on the same 1870 U.S. Census record as Mattie.

Though Melvinia was an adult with kids of her own by then, it wouldn’t be too much of an assumption to think that she and Mattie have crossed paths at one point. Mattie might have even been playmates with one of Melvinia’s kids. But little did Melvinia or Mattie know, their descendants would end up with front row seats to some of the most powerful positions in the world.