According to the IMDB page for Tom Hanks:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000158/bio
"He is a third cousin, four generations removed, of former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln. Their common ancestor is John Hanks (1680 - 1740), who was the great-great-grandfather of Lincoln, and the great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather of Tom Hanks."
John Hanks, I is Tom Hanks' 6th g-grandfather here on geni, so far so good.
William Hanks, II is Abraham Lincoln's 2nd g-grandfather on geni though.
Thoughts?
The whole family descendents are Thomas Hanks, William Hanks, John Hanks, Joseph Hanks, Lucy Hanks, Nancy Hanks Lincoln. There are no direct descendents of Nancy Hanks Lincoln, but there are many descendents remaining of Joseph Hanks. I am a descendent of Thomas Hanks, oldest son of Joseph and Ann Lee Hanks, and brother of Lucy Hanks.Vicky Reany Paulson
In case you were wondering, Vicky has done the most authoritative research on the Hanks line. Her information -- and the current Geni connections -- are correct.
So, yes, Tom Hanks the actor *is* related to Abraham Lincoln (via Lincoln's wife Nancy) -- just one more generation back to find the common parents (as opposed to siblings).
Oops, Dan, Lincoln's wife is Marry Todd, and his mother is Nancky Hanks Lincoln. Yes, I have done so much research on the Hanks family, I'm working on book #2. Book #1 should come out soon, within a week, or so now. After each chapter, I list references, and sources, so it will be easier for all of you to use it, and make your connections to the Hanks family. You will find no Shipleys in our family tree, and no Abraham Hanks and Sarah Harper Hanks. ( He would have been 70 when Nancy Hanks was born,but was already dead) The correct connection is John, not Luke. I will be so happy to offer all of you the tools to find your correct family tree!
The book, Abraham Lincoln's Hanks Family Genealogy should be available in the next week, or so. It is an 8 1/2 by 11, so it is easy to use, for all Hanks families, searching for their roots. First book of Hanks genealogy based entirely on documentation! Cost:$29.95. I am writing book #2, with more information that will be usefull to all of those researching their families.
It's December 22nd, and the book "Abraham Lincoln's Hanks Family Genealogy, by Vicky Reany Paulson, is now available, at vpaulson0126@gmail.com.
I've seen a few variations on Tom Hanks, the actor's genealogy, and unsure which one is correct. Wish he would go on "Who Do You think You Are" or the genealogy program PBS does. You can always email me, with your information. I don't charge anybody to help them with their genealogy. You may be closer than you think, of being related to Lincoln, than he is!
I'm 4th cousins 6x removed from Lincoln. My KY branch is from Lucy Thompson(Hanks) my 4th GGM ,her father was Mott Hanks, son of John Hanks Sr. , son of William J. Hanks ll , son of William J. Hanks l , older brother to John Hanks l, father of Joseph Hanks l, father of Lucy Sparrow ( Hanks) mother of Nancy Hanks, mother to Abraham Lincoln.
Cummings, Warren, Hedgespeth, Wright, Beard, Thompson, Hanks