The Royals

 I don't know what to do with the information I have on my genealogy.  Am I the only one so confused by being descended from European royalty:  Saxon, Scottish, English, French, Spanish, German and Portuguese.  Such notables as Charlemagne, William the Conqueror, Eleanor of Aquitaine (and both of her royal husbands King Louis of France and King Henry of England), St. Margaret of Scotland, her husband King Malcolm, St. Eberhard and San Fernando.  I would have been content with being descended from a serving lady or a baron.

Do I keep it a secret or do I share the information with family not knowing how they will react.  I'm sure there are thousands (if not millions) who descend from all of them.  I've decided to just give a book to each grandchild for their birthdays about one person with information on how we are related, why that person is significant. To throw all of this at them could be a smothering as it is for me or they may toss it aside as being meaningless.

Genealogy is an odd study---it's not static at all but constantly changing with more evidence.  Our children grew up thinking they were related to Joshua Fry, Elizabeth Fry and Fry chocolate but with DNA and further study proving that we were not that Fry family.

Going back to Medieval times never interested me because I've seen so many NPE (not parent events) where the parents in documents are in fact not necessarily so with DNA.  But, in this case DNA is what sent me in this direction.  I'd always thought Judith Maupin was Nancy Burch's mother , but DNA told me that Nancy's mother was Jane Epperson and the Eppersons were my gateway ancestors unlocking the genealogy of Medieval royalty

The first birthday is Anna and I've chosen a little book by Kristiana Gregory: Eleanor, Crown Jewel of Aquitaine.  It's an author I respect ---- I don't have time to read it.  It got very good reviews for historical accuracy.  But, it stops when she becomes Queen of France which is a very small part of her story. But, it's a start.  I don't want an exhaustive biography so this will be fine.

Dancing in Heaven

This year I've been very fortunate to meet 3 cousins I'd never met before---all of them are pretty distant---even my parents had never met them. We met through genealogy, we got to know each other better through Facebook---I love the internet and the relationships that can be formed.

My sister says I'll have quite a fan club when I get to heaven, but I prefer seeing this image of ancestors high-fiving each other whenever I meet one of these distant cousins.
I met Ricky in Arkansas this Spring. Our relationship is a bit complicated because My great grandfather is the brother of his grandfather AND my great grandmother is a first cousin of his grandmother. So, we're a little closer that 3rd cousins once removed.
But can't you see our mutual ancestors (on the Wicker side) high-fiving. Above is Virginia Sampson (my g-g grandmother and Rick's g-grandmother).
And, this is John Wicker (my g-g grandfather and Rick's g-grandfather).
A few days later, while on vacation in Alabama, I met up with Catherine. Her mother Claudia below. . .
Is first cousins with my grandmother Vivian (below) making us 3rd cousins once removed also.
This weekend, I met up with Steven---we don't know how we're related but his DNA matches my brother's 67 out of 67 markers. We have an 89.97 % chance of being related within 6 generations.
So, ancestors that lived back in Virginia (see below) are high-fiving that we have met. I chose this place for a photo to show the photos of my daughters, parents and grandchildren to reflect the circle of life.

Or, maybe. . .our ancestors are really having a circle dance. Each time I meet another cousin, the circle gets larger. . . Hey, I think I really like that image.