How can I find out if I'm related to Clay Aiken?

Question

Everyone asks me if I'm related to him because my last name is Aiken and I look a lot like him.Except I'm a girl off course.Is there any way that is free for me to find out?I just personally want to know.I don't talk to my dad's side of the family because my mom doesn't like them and my dad passed away when I was 2 so I don't know if he's someones son over there.

Answer 1

If you could convince Mr. Aiken to tell you who his grandparents and great grandparents were, and you were to spend 100 - 300 hours on his family tree, at either a library or a FHC that had census records, then another 100 - 300 hours doing yours, you might find a common ancestor. That's the "HOW". If you CAN do it is another question. Notice it hinges on getting data from him and you devoting a year or two of your spare time to the research.

As the learned gentleman above me said, you probably are not related. There are a lot of Aikens around.

On the other hand, if you want to, you can say you and he are fourth cousins once removed, that you read it on the Internet. You don't have to mention you read it here and that I made it up out of my head. None of your friends will double-check.

If you can find out your great grandfather Aiken's name, birth date and death date you could write to Clay c/o his record label and ask if the GGP sounded familiar.

Answer 2

Odds are you're not, or you'd know it.

I have a famous relative in my family and everybody just buzzes about it. It gets around quickly.

Answer 3

Set him aside for the moment... without insulting mom, you can possibly identify your father's parents and family, and work on your ancestry on that side. Sometimes parents have VALID reasons for not associating with the 'other' family, but it is still part of your history.  I just caution you to respect your mom's feelings.

You have to know your own ancestry before you can compare it, to see if there is a link.  I wondered for years if my daughters are related to Alanis Morrissette.  I have my daughter's line back, and just recently located her ancestry posted on genforum. Sure enough, they wound up being 9th cousins (the link is in the 1600s).