In seventeenth Century Henrico County, Virginia’s most powerful families were the Randolphs, Cockes, Eppses, and Byrds. Research shows them all among my ancestors. In fact, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Cocke (13 Dec.1597- 4 Oct 1665), was my paternal 10th great-grandfather. He was a graduate of Caius (sounds like “keys”) College, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England. … Continue reading Early Cocky (AKA Cocke) Emigrates To Virginia
Ancient Ancestors
Are You Committed to a Cause Greater Than Yourself?
This week's message at church was the last in a series called "The Kingdom," and today's sermon focused on "Kingdom Living." Our pastor of nearly 30 years, Robert Hahn, told us how he came to our church and to his calling as a minister right here in Calvert County, MD, in 1987, as a visitor … Continue reading Are You Committed to a Cause Greater Than Yourself?
“What’s In A Name…”
Very popular among first names chosen for today's millennials are variations of the name Kyle; i.e., Kayla, Kylie, Kylan, and obviously, Kyle. It just so happens that branches of my family were among the first to receive the name Kyle, but as a family surname. The "Kyle" surname is of Scottish and Northern Irish origin … Continue reading “What’s In A Name…”
Ancestors, Life, and Other Stuff
As I sit here today, eight years last week since my first blog post, I am reflecting back across 366 stories that I wrote about "stuff". And, this past weekend at church the message to parishioners was about "stuff."It strikes me that I had initially so very little information about my ancestors beyond my maternal … Continue reading Ancestors, Life, and Other Stuff
Rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief, Doctor, lawyer, Indian Chief!
Rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief, Doctor, lawyer, Indian Chief--that's the first line from one of my childhood jump rope rhymes. I thought it appropriate for opening this post that connects farmers, merchants, lawyers, sailors, a kidnapper, and even a President, Indian Chief, and an Indian Princess who became famous for her peacekeeping powers … Continue reading Rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief, Doctor, lawyer, Indian Chief!
Wharton’s – My Ancient Ancestors
Often when I'm researching family history, regardless of the branch, I feel a real connection and gain a greater understanding of familial traits and relationships. Yet sometimes, especially in the ancient families' histories, the facts seem so very surreal; especially as they unfold through the mix of aristocracies, the haughty "blue-bloods," castles, manor houses, servants, … Continue reading Wharton’s – My Ancient Ancestors
Ancient Wharton’s “Rocky” Ascent to Nobility
At the close of my recent post Life and Times of Edward Boling and Mary Wharton, I stated that I must dig more deeply to learn about Mary Wharton's family's ancient beginnings. Our first source was the Doomsday Book of 1086, where we discovered Wharton families in towns and civil parishes named after them in … Continue reading Ancient Wharton’s “Rocky” Ascent to Nobility
Our Ancestors’ Periods of Sleep Differed from Ours – Are We Doing It Wrong?
Familial Sleeping Disorders My daughter. granddaughter and I all have sleeping disorders which prevent us from getting a full night's rest filled sleep. One of the best benefits of leaving my career job a few years ago was finding time to take a nap in the afternoons (not recommended, by the way) when life's activities … Continue reading Our Ancestors’ Periods of Sleep Differed from Ours – Are We Doing It Wrong?
Historically and Genetically Speaking, I Guess I’m Naturally Frank
My dad's name is Frank. I wonder from whom/where his name came? One such theory comes from the Merovingian dynasty where "Frankish" kings ruled a frequently fluctuating area in parts of present-day France and Germany from the 5th to the 8th century AD. They were sometimes called the "long-haired kings" by contemporaries, for their leaders' … Continue reading Historically and Genetically Speaking, I Guess I’m Naturally Frank
More Than a Few Names or Mere Numbers
As an addendum to this week's post What's In a Name?, I revised my Surname Report in Family Tree Maker™. This report shows that our family's tree (including my spouse's family) has 10,772 persons in it. Of those persons (living and dead), 52 percent of them are male; making my database's percentage of males three percentage points higher than the … Continue reading More Than a Few Names or Mere Numbers
The Chesapeake Bay and Our Native American Heritage
This post focuses on our Native American heritage who resided along the borders of the Chesapeake Bay. Digressing just a little into my lineage, my paternal Bolling ancestors were among the first in Jamestown and my maternal Lathrop ancestors the first in New England. My ninth great-grandfather, Colonel Robert Bolling married Pocahontas' granddaughter, Jane Poythress … Continue reading The Chesapeake Bay and Our Native American Heritage
ISO my Family’s Sociological “Big Bang!”
According to my most recent research into the Bolling-Chambers-Taylor families, I am descended from an ancient line of folks who were known to be bald, short, fat, stammerers, and some even barbarians! At my eldest grandson's wedding in Chicago last weekend, my third eldest grandson approached me for genealogical help. For his college sociology class, his assignment … Continue reading ISO my Family’s Sociological “Big Bang!”
The Tudors and Taylors: My British Connection
The Tudors Two years ago, we watched on Netflix, almost incessantly, 38 streamed episodes of Showtime TV's monumental, award-winning series The Tudors. The Tudors originally aired from April 1, 2007, to June 10, 2010. It starred the 35-year-old Golden Globe award-winning Irish actor, Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, (2nd from left in the photo), and this year's 30-year-old, British born actor, Man … Continue reading The Tudors and Taylors: My British Connection
Tobacco, Slavery, Earthworms, Honey Bees; Grains, Livestock, Disease…Oh My!
After reading one of my posts, a friend suggested I take a look at the book 1493... by Charles C. Mann. Only in a few pages and I had a rude awakening. It appeared to me that up to this point I had merely been scratching the surface when describing our family's roots, branches, history, … Continue reading Tobacco, Slavery, Earthworms, Honey Bees; Grains, Livestock, Disease…Oh My!
Johannes Eustacius “John” Rolfe…My 11th Great Grandfather
Johannes Eustacius "John" Rolfe, Father of John Rolfe, Jr. Who Married Pocahontas Birth: Oct. 17, 1562, Heacham, Norfolk, England Death: Nov. 29, 1594, Heacham, Norfolk, England (Age 32) Buried: Dec. 1, 1594, Heacham Church, Heacham, Norfolk, England Norfolk County in which Heacham resides is known for its industry in Lavender. It is thought that settlers … Continue reading Johannes Eustacius “John” Rolfe…My 11th Great Grandfather
May 11, 2013: 406th Anniversary of America’s First Settlement in Jamestown, VA
1606 Expedition from England to Virginia Coastlines An all-male expedition led by Captain Christopher Newport departed from England in December 1606. Aboard the Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery ships, were 105 passengers (one of whom died during the voyage). Many aboard these ships were upper-class Englishmen. On May 13, 1607, after two weeks of exploration of the Virginia coastline, the … Continue reading May 11, 2013: 406th Anniversary of America’s First Settlement in Jamestown, VA
Pipers Piping, Ladies Dancing, and Lords a Leaping
And we’re off to Scotland in our ‘Reflections of the past and mirrors to the future…’ It’s a wee country, full of contradictions and BIG surprises! In Scotland, you can… See tiny, stone cottages nestled at the foot of huge, rugged mountains Watch ominous steel-grey clouds part suddenly to reveal vivid blue skies and bright sunshine Look … Continue reading Pipers Piping, Ladies Dancing, and Lords a Leaping
Our Unbounded Heritage: 12th Century & Beyond 