A famous lawman has some family roots, right here in Western Wisconsin.

Catherine Earp is a UW-Stout college sophomore.
She’s related to the American Wild West icon Wyatt Earp.

Growing up, she says she's heard many stories about him, and adds she's proud to be in his family tree.

There have been movies, T.V. shows and books featuring Wild West man Wyatt Earp.

But, the famous lawman is most noted for his fight at the O.K. Corral.

Catherine Earp has grown up listening to these stories, as she has a close personal connection to the man.

Catherine Earp says, "People when they find out my last name is Earp, they constantly ask me questions and I just say I’m his 5th cousin."

Because Wyatt didn't have any children, Catherine is related through Wyatt’s uncle, Milton.
Her family even has Wyatt’s actual birth and death certificates.

Catherine Earp says, "I didn't think it was cool at all until people were like, "Oh! Is your family related, and he's in a movie, and I was like, yeah, he is, and that's kind of cool."

Catherine says she can't believe people get so excited when they hear she's related to Wyatt Earp.

Catherine Earp says, "One time I wanted to search online, so I Googled him and found out all this stuff, so it's fun to see and watching Tombstone, to hear people say, my favorite Western movie is Tombstone, I'm like that's so cool, that's my cousin!"

Despite Wyatt’s death almost one hundred years ago, Catherine says her family is still treated like celebrities, something she found out when her family took a vacation to Tombstone, Arizona where the O.K. Corral saga started.

Catherine Earp says, "They found out we were related. I was 5. They asked us to autograph a little picture of him and they put a sign in the door saying the Earp family returned. I thought that was really cool as a 5-year-old to be signing my autograph and all that stuff."

Catherine says her family has a tradition where every boy has to have the middle name Wyatt.

She says family members take pride in the fact they're related to the legendary figure and enjoy sharing stories about him with others.