RELEASE DATE: MARCH 26, 2006
KINSEARCHING
by
Marleta Childs
P. O. Box 6825
LUBBOCK, TX 79493-6825
[email protected]
Since the United States and Great Britain still maintain close ties and many Americans have British forebears, a large number of genealogists seek ancestral ties to English sovereigns. A ground-breaking publication that will be useful in this search is Douglas Richardson's PLANTAGENET ANCESTRY: A STUDY IN COLONIAL AND MEDIEVAL FAMILIES.
This monumental volume concerns American descendants of Geoffrey Plantagenet, Count of Anjou and Duke of Normandy. He was the founder of the Plantagenet dynasty that ruled England from 1154 to 1485. Persons familiar with English history will recognize the names of a few of Geoffrey's famous (or infamous) descendants: Henry II, who married Eleanor of Aquitaine; King John, signer of the Magna Charta; Edward III, who founded the Order of the Garter; John of Gaunt; and Edward, the Black Prince.
An expansion and revision of an earlier work, PLANTAGENET ANCESTRY OF SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY COLONISTS by David Faris, Richardson's material traces both legitimate and illegitimate offspring of sixteen of Geoffrey's great-grandchildren who left issue. As far as possible, the author furnishes detailed biographical information about the lines of descent of approximately 190 seventeenth-century North American colonists. In his discussion of discoveries and major changes, he explains that finding new records has sometimes led to confirmation or extension of work done by earlier researchers. A breakthrough on data about Margaret MOWBRAY, for example, shows her to be the ancestor of Mayflower passenger Richard MORE.
A scrutiny of records also led to major changes in some parentage as well as other corrections and additions to lines of descent. He includes data on several immigrants, such as Essex BEVILLE and Thomas BOOTH, who still lack full documentation regarding their Plantagenet descent. As Richardson points out in his introduction, supplying a secure basis for all family connections is an on-going process.
Helpful and interesting, the book is especially valuable due to Richardson's vast amount of citations--approximately 14,000. A glance at the extensive 77-page bibliography of primary and secondary sources indicates this volume is the most substantial source book available on American descendants of the Plantagenets.
The 945-page hardback also contains an introduction; an alphabetical list of 205 immigrants; a glossary of special terms and abbreviations; photographs of memorial plaques, effigies, and monuments; genealogical charts of the Plantagenet kings; footnotes; and a full name index. As item number 4894, it may be purchased for $89.00 postpaid or $91 UPS by check, MasterCard, or Visa from Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 3600 Clipper Mill Rd., Suite 260, Baltimore, Maryland 21211 (for phone orders, call toll free 1-800-296-6687; fax 1-410-752-8492; website www.genealogical.com).
Taking "Tracking Our Footprints" as its theme for the year, the Texas Czech Genealogical Society (TCGS) seeks to help all individuals who are tracing the paths of their Czech ancestors in the United States (especially Texas) and the Czech lands of Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia in Europe. On April 22, 2006, the society will host a "research opportunity" in the east wing of the Nueces County Memorial Agricultural Center, 900 East Avenue J, Robstown, TX. Hundreds of books concentrating on Czech genealogy will be available for research from 10 a. m. to 2 p. m. Guest speakers Edwin Wallek, Jr. and Patrick Janis will discuss home remedies and how to organize your research materials. The cost, which includes lunch, for the day will be $8.00 per person if registered before April 14. After that date, the fee will be $10.00 per person. Registration fees may be sent to Sallie Wendt, 361 N. Post Oak Lane #145, Houston, TX 77024 (phone 713-682-6262). More information can be found on the TCGS website at www.txczgs.org.