RELEASE DATE: MAY 21, 2006
KINSEARCHING
by
Marleta Childs
P. O. Box 6825
LUBBOCK, TX 79493-6825
[email protected]
Since many genealogists dream about having blue-blooded
ancestors, they may find the links they seek in THE ROYAL DESCENTS OF 600
IMMIGRANTS TO THE AMERICAN COLONIES OR THE UNITED STATES by Gary Boyd
Roberts. This second printing of the 2004 book has a 2006 addendum and coda
which contain data on 17 new immigrants, some of whom are indeed recent arrivals
in the U. S.
An important contribution to the study of patrician genealogy, Roberts's publication primarily consists of charts showing the royal descent of 600 (actually 650) immigrants to America. These selected immigrants were themselves notable or they left descendants who were distinguished in the history of the United States.
This volume is an expansion on previous books and articles concerning royal ancestors that were published through 2005. In his introduction to the 2006 addendum, Roberts discusses the latest research on royal genealogy, thereby giving genealogists a better understanding of literature on the subject and guiding them to the more reliable resources. As a result, Roberts's book builds on the best royal descents supplied by such works as Douglas Richardson's PLANTAGENET ANCESTRY, John Frederick Dorman's fourth edition of ADVENTURERS OF PURSE AND PERSON, and George E. and Donna V. Russell's THE ARK AND THE DOVE ADVENTURERS.
Among the new immigrants named in the 2006 material are Mrs. Nina Maria (Nane) Lagergren Annan of NY; James Blount of NC; Thomas Boone, governor of NJ and SC; Mrs. Mary Woodcock Bridges of MA; Mrs. Abigail Smith Burwell of VA; Mrs. Elizabeth Bullock Clement(s) of MA, ancestor of the two presidents Bush and of Sir Winston Churchill; Henry Hamilton Cox of PA; Anders Leonard Gyllenhaal of IL (ancestor of actors Jake and Maggie); Lady Elizabeth Tate Hardy, wife of Sir Charles Hardy, governor of NY; Mrs. Judith Knapp Hubbard of MA; Thomas Jernegan of VA; Thomas Law of VA; Guy Ritchie, husband of rock music icon Madonna; Mrs. Millicent Kate McLaughlin Rose of NY, forebear of some of the Hearsts of CA; Seth Southill/Soothill/Sothill/Sotehill/Sothel(l), governor of NC; and Mrs. Frances Baldwin Townshend Jones Williams of VA.
In addition to listing new immigrants, the 2006 material improves the lines for eighteen more, downgrades the descent for eight others, disproves one, and suggests doubts of descent for a further seven. Family researchers who have based their findings on Roberts's 2004 work will want to find out if their conclusions still hold up after so many new resources have come to light. Therefore, genealogical libraries will want to upgrade their collection with a copy of the 2006 edition of THE ROYAL DESCENTS OF 600 IMMIGRANTS TO THE AMERICAN COLONIES OR THE UNITED STATES.
The 861-page hardback includes an introduction, numerous appendices, an alphabetical list of 650 immigrants by surname or title, the addendum for the 2004 edition, a list of abbreviated sources, and full name indexes to both the 2004 and the 2006 printings. As item number 4963, it may be purchased for $75.00. To the book's price, buyers should add the cost for postage and handling charges. For U. S. postal mail, the cost is $4 for one book and $2.00 for each additional copy; for UPS, the cost is $6 for one copy and $2.50 for each additional book. It may be purchased 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).
The following obituary can be found on page 5, column 1 of the 10 May 1918 issue of the newspaper The Merkel Mail, published in Merkel, TX:
"Grandma AYERS, mother of W. C. AYERS, died Wednesday morning at 7:30 at the home of her son at Tye, and was buried at Caps. The funeral services were held in the Methodist church at Tye. Rev. TUCKER officiating. All the children were present at time of death. She was a sister of Andy YOUNG...."
On June 10, 2006, the Texas Czech Genealogical Society is sponsoring a tour of the Texas State Library and Archives and the Texas Military Forces Museum in Austin. The day tour will depart from Elgin, Texas. Registrations postmarked on or before June 1 will cost $20 per person; after that date, the price will be $25 per person. Checks, payable to the society, should be sent to Charlene Hurta, 1231 CR 201A, Angleton, TX 77515 (phone 979-849-0348; e-mail [email protected] ). More details may also be obtained at the society's website www.txczgs.org.