Geraldine Robinson, from St Mary's Road, Lutterworth, made the surprising link after learning that author Maureen Hilyard had visited Lutterworth from the Cook Islands to research her family tree.

Although Mrs Robinson did not meet Maureen, she made contact after the visit and discovered that her great- grandfather's cousin was regarded as one of the founders of Palmerston, in the Cook Islands.

Although he is a distant relative, Mrs Robinson said she found the tale of William Marsters fascinating.

William Marsters was born William Masters in Misterton in 1831.

He married a woman from Walcote in 1851 but two years later left his wife and two children and went to sea, eventually ending up in California during the Gold Rush.

After making a small amount of money from panning gold, Marsters served on board a number of whaling ships and ended up in the Cook Islands.

Records show he arrived on Palmerston in 1863 with two Polynesian wives and eventually had another two wives – although he only married one of the women officially.

Before his death in 1899 he had 17 children and 54 grandchildren.

Just over 60 of his ancestors remain on the island in three separate family branches – and marriage within a family branch is prohibited.

Those living on the island today speak English with a Leicestershire accent and it is thought William's surname was corrupted from Masters to Marsters because of the way he pronounced it.

Mrs Robinson said: "I was sent two books about William, one of which has only just been released.

"It was really fascinating finding out a little bit more about my family tree.

"There are still some gaps though. No-one knows why he left Walcote to go to sea so suddenly in 1853, something must have happened to make him leave."

Mrs Robinson said the discovery has made her want to learn more about her own ancestors, many of who come from the Walcote area.

She added: "It was a complete surprise finding out all this.

"I've seen the programmes on television where they find all kinds of interesting things out and I never imagined my family tree might be like that."