According to my family's history, my Great Great Grandfather was the physician to Frederic William IV. Again, according to our family's history, he had to flee due to political persecution and came to the US approximately 1854 and became a famous botanist.

Is there any way to verify these family stories? His name was William Patti, and he was born in about 1822 and died on late June 1906 - on his way to my grandmother's birthday celebration. According to the stories passed down, he was to share his entire story, for the first time ever, with my grandmother as her birthday present (along with a diamond ring that was never recovered).

Any insights or assistance you might offer would be greatly appreciated.

Yours,
Kelly Buck