ANCESTRY: An Extraordinary Travel Back From Slavery To Royalty

ANCESTRY: An Extraordinary Travel Back From Slavery To Royalty
By Stephanie Adams-Nicolai

Introduction
I. Delphia
II. Native Americans
III. American Pioneers
IV. Knights Templar And Crusaders
V. European Nobility And Royalty
VI. Castles Titles And Names
VII. Ancient Aristocracy
Conclusion

INTRODUCTION

After combining research from experts and documents from the U.S. Census, Birth, Death, Military, and Immigration records from the U.S. and Europe, the Millennium File, newspapers, publications, and other online sources, I was able to successfully create an astounding yet accurately historical family tree for my son, from roots to leaves, filled with an exciting story of genealogy.

According to the notes in our family bible that is over a century old, we are direct descendants of two U.S. Presidents, John Adams and John Quincy Adams. But it wasn't until my father gave me his family bible that I was able to see and later trace an entire genealogical history, beyond just one surname and family lore.

Along with tracing my husband's intriguing bloodline to the German "von Langenfelds" and the European "House of Nicolay", after carefully and vigorously pursuing my own custom genealogy and DNA report, I most recently discovered that I have a unique and colorful lineage that includes Egyptian, African, Native American, Anglo-Saxon, French Norman, Ancient Briton, and Celtic European ancestry.

My family ancestors include countless war heroes, a mysterious mulatto woman named Delphia, the father of her children named Dr. Nathaniel Terry Green who was from the historical Green family in Virginia, and other Sons of the American Revolution. As to my direct European lineage which consisted of numerous members of nobility, I went even beyond my relatives with the surnames "le Scrope", "de Neville", "de Beauchamp", "de Ferrers", my 32nd great grandmother, Nest Ferch Gruffydd, Princess of Wales, my 35th great grandmother, Godgifu, Countess of Mercia, who is more famously known as "Lady Godiva", and traveled as far back as ancient relatives before B.C.

My aristocratic relatives in England owned castles and were Barons, Counts, Earls, Lords, as well as members of the Knights Templar. Other ancestry linked back to Normandie and other parts of Europe where they were Dukes, Kings, Vikings, and more.

I hope you will enjoy reading about my deeply involved family history, traveling through my exciting journey back with them in time, "from slavery to royalty", as I encourage others to be proud of who they are, where they come from, and to consider tracing their own interesting lineage as well.

There is no need to refer to or admire fictional characters when chances are our very own ancestry is even more inspirational, historical, and educational. Welcome to my journey and discovery into the magical, spiritual, and intriguing world of family genealogy.

I. DELPHIA

With all of the stories, facts, legends, and great detail of the many ancestors mentioned both in my introduction as well as later on, no one has left me as intrigued and fascinated as that of my 4th great grandmother, a mysterious mulatto woman named Delphia.

Delphia Green was an American mulatto woman of African and European ancestry, born the year 1807 in Virginia. Not much is known about her genealogy, and it is not known whether or not she was a freed slave, but what is known is the fact that she was a love interest of a very prominent man from a highly affluent family in Virginia named Dr. Nathaniel Terry Green, who was also the father of her children.

Keep in mind that slavery did not officially end in America until 1865, and it was not until 1967 that it finally became legal for interracial couples to marry. So because something so natural and perfect as love could not be deterred by such ridiculously racist rules, Delphia and Dr. Green lived in separate homes right next door to each other on his property in Virginia, and continued their love story right up until the day he died.

Never before was Delphia ever recorded as being "married", because she and Dr. Green could not marry. But soon after Dr. Green passed away, Delphia distinctly chose to record herself in the U.S. Census as "widowed" because, to her, they were probably married in spirit.

Prior to falling in love with Delphia, Dr. Green had met and married another woman by the name of Ann Colquhoun. Surely he must have had a decent amount of fondness and affection for this woman, enough to have children with her as well. But nevertheless, Dr. Green continued his relationship with Delphia, and continued to have children with Delphia long after his legal spouse had died.

Although this term is now considered to be archaic, I am the true definition of a "mulatto" woman. In addition, my husband and I are an interracial couple with a child that looks Caucasian, but is undeniably of mixed heritage. This is all quite similar to Delphia and Dr. Green, however, my husband and I live in a time when all people are able to legally marry, because love has no color, sex, or reason. It's just love.

In Delphia's case, whatever the difficulties, obstacles, or circumstances surrounding her relationship with Dr. Green might have been, their children, my relatives, are all the result of their highly complicated and controversial yet persistent union.

Although I was unable to find a portrait of what I already know was a very lovely Delphia, clearly she and her children were treated and lived well, as seen in the photographic images I did manage to discover of her and Dr. Green's children.

Delphia's ancestors and their specific origins may not ever be discovered or known, but the father of her children's genealogy is as traceable as far back as before the era of Christ. From "Green", to "Terry", to "Dickerson", to "Dickinson", to "Danby", "le Despencer", "de Beauchamp", "de Ferrers", and beyond, history was recorded and my lineage is as memorable as it is undeniable.

These sons and daughters of the American Revolution, myself and my son now included, have the deepest roots with the richest leaves stretching as far back as Ancient Europe during some of the earliest recorded centuries before Christ. Upon discovering this, I soon realized that my ancestry exploration did not end with my 4th great grandfather Dr. Green and the Green family, but instead had just begun.

II. NATIVE AMERICANS

What history and many Americans fail to realize is the fact that America was embarked upon and inhabited by Native Americans, long before a man named Christopher Columbus "discovered" it.

The highest of my ancestry reported in my DNA chart was that of my African, Irish, and English lineage. Other parts of Europe were very much prominent indeed, and although my Native American background fell somewhat short in DNA percentage points, the Cherokee spirit of my maternal side will always, within me, be prevalent.

Much of the thousands of acres of land inherited from my great grandparents came from my mother's side of the family, who were part African, Irish, and Native American Indian. It was the Sampson Family that had mostly Native American ancestry, and the McMurrian Family that had mostly Irish heritage. Both owned such vast amounts of property, housing, and land, to the point where I have yet to find someone with their surnames that was considered a slave back at that time.

My father's side, however, was not known to have any Native American at all. They consisted at that time of a wide range and contrast, from slaves to bankers. And because of them, up until my father passed away, we still had shares in banks located in Danville, Virginia that originated during the 1800s.

III. AMERICAN PIONEERS

Aside from the Green Family, many members of the McMurrian Family were also true pioneers and founders within my personal genealogy.

My 1st great grandfather, Thornton McMurrian, was born the year 1895 in Buena Vista, Georgia. Not only did he serve in World War I, he also came back and acquired an immense amount of property. He owned farms, houses, horses, and crops that he and his family both lived off of as well as sold. I was fortunate enough to have met and known Grandpa Thornton, as he was for quite some time the patriarch of my mother's side of the family. Grandpa Thornton often told the most interesting stories from his time, and visiting him was like traveling to a remote territory inhabited by no one else for many, many miles except for those with the last name "McMurrian".

My World War I and World War II ancestors were both African American and Caucasian. Many were from the McMurrian Family, but it was those from the Green Family that were more famously noted throughout American history.

My 5th great grandfather, Colonel Berryman Green, was born the year 1754 in Halifax, Virginia. Besides being the owner of an estate still referred to today as "Green's Folly", Colonel Green was a brave and courageous war hero, as was my 6th great grandfather, Colonel Nathaniel Dickerson Terry, born in 1725, as well as my 8th great grandfather, Captain James Terry, born in 1666. Both Colonel Green and Captain Terry were born in Lunenberg, Virginia.

Colonel Green was particularly noted throughout American history as being the quartermaster for President George Washington at Valley Forge in 1777, further defining him as a true son of the American Revolution.

IV. KNIGHTS TEMPLAR AND CRUSADERS

Before the American pioneers and revolutionary war heroes, my family consisted of knights in shining armor, many who were members of or descendants of the legendary Knights Templar.

The Knights Templar was an elite group of crusaders that were strongly in existence between 1119 and 1312. At the peak of their power, they ranged in size from approximately 15,000-20,000 members, but out of that number, only 1,500-2,000 of them were actual knights.

The Knights Templar was among the wealthiest and most powerful orders, as they were also prominent and prevalent in finance. But the primary of these knights was first and foremost to protect those traveling to the Holy Land.

Many myths and legends were spoken of about these brave warriors. Their initiation alone was considered highly secretive, filled with ancient rituals, practices, and ceremonies.

The following are a number of knights and crusaders recorded from my family genealogy:

- My 61st great grandfather, Josue, Bishop of the Holy Grail, was born the year 100 in Merovingia, Austrasia, and was married to Gwladys verch Eurgen Siluria from Britain.
- My 57th great grandfather, Titurel, Grail King de Britton, was born the year 247 in Britton, France, and was married to Orgeluse de Britton from Germany.
- My 32nd great grandfather, Sir Walchelin de Ferrières, Knight, was born the year 1010 in Ferrières-Saint-Hilaire, Eure, Haute-Normandie, France, and was married to Lady Mahaut de Durbuy.
- My 31st great grandfather, Sir Henry I de Ferrières, Knight, was born the year 1036 in Ferrières-Saint-Hilaire, Eure, Haute-Normandie, France, and was married to Lady Bertha Fitz Robert de Laigle.
- My 28th great grandfather, Sir William de Ferrers, III Earl of Derby, Knight, was born the year 1136 in Tutbury Castle of Tutbury, Staffordshire, England, was married to Lady Sybil de Braose, Countess de Ferrers, and was known for being a member of the Knights Templar.
- My 23rd great grandfather, Sir William de Ferrers, I Baron of Groby, Knight, was born the year 1272 in Yoxall, Staffordshire, England, was married to Lady Ellen de Segrave, and was the son of Lady Anne le Despencer.
- My 22nd great grandfather, Sir Philip le Despencer of Parlington, Knight, was born the year 1289 in Barton, Gloucestershire, England, and was married to Lady Margaret Goushill, and was the son of Isabella de Beauchamp, Countess of Winchester.
- My 21st great grandfather, Sir Philip le Despencer of Camoys Manor, Knight, was born the year 1313 in Glanford Brigg, Lincolnshire, England, and was married to Lady Joan Cobham.
- My 19th great grandfather, Sir Ralph de Neville, Earl of Westmoreland, Knight, was born the year 1291 in Raby Castle of Staindrop, Durham, England, and was married to Lady Johanna, Countess de Beaufort.
- My 18th great grandfather, Sir Edward de Neville, Baron of Abergavenny, Knight, was born the year 1407 in Raby Castle of Staindrop, Durham, England, and was married to Lady Elizabeth III de Beauchamp.
- My 18th great grandfather, Sir Robert Danby, Knight and Chief Justice, was born the year 1422 in Farnley, Yorkshire, England, and was married to Lady Katherine Fitz Ralph.
- My 17th great grandfather, Sir Robert Danby, Knight, was born the year 1448 in Bedford, Bedfordshire, England, and was married to Lady Elizabeth de Neville.
- My 17th great grandfather, Sir John Edward Sutton VI, I Baron Dudley, Knight, was born the year 1400 in Dudley Castle of Dudley, Staffordshire, England, and was married to Lady Elizabeth de Berkeley.
- My 15th great grandfather, Sir Edward Sutton, II Baron Dudley, Knight, was born the year 1459 in Dudley, Staffordshire, England, and was married to Lady Cicely Willoughby.
- My 13th great grandfather, Sir Thomas Argall, Esquire, Knight, was born the year 1500 in Surrey, London, England, and was married to Lady Margaret Tallakarne.
- My 11th great grandfather, Sir Edward Filmer, Knight, was born the year 1566 in East Sutton, Kent, England, and was married to Lady Elizabeth Argall. Their son, my 10th great grandfather, Major Henry Filmer, is a highly documented gateway ancestor to the house of Plantagenet, Charlemagne, and Merovingian, as well as the Magna Carta Barons.

Along with these honorable knights and crusaders, my 28th great grandfather, Robert de Quincy, Lord of Buckley, was also a crusader, born the year 1140 in Buckley, Northamptonshire, England. His son, Saier de Quincy, I Earl of Winchester, was a crusader as well, born the year 1155 in Winchester, Hampshire, England, and was a Surety for the Magna Carta.

Knights and crusaders were both very passionate about what they believed in, and fought strongly for their unified cause. Knights in general were true gentlemen of great dedication and character, eternally and classically associated with romance, honor, chivalry, and bravery that are forever etched within our history.

V. EUROPEAN NOBILITY AND ROYALTY

Beyond the ranks of nobility, my family goes even further back to royalty, with ancestry comprised of French, Anglo-Saxons, and Ancient Welsh, known back then as Normans, Britons, and Celtics. Many of them lived and reigned in Wales, a country today that is part of the United Kingdom. In those days, their medieval region was a place where people often followed Paganism, Druidry, and other Esoteric knowledge, before the era of Christianity.

In regards to these ancient grandparents that were considered back then to be "royalty", keep in mind that there are many people who are able to trace their bloodline back to such ancestors, especially if their relatives come from the same regions and are already proven descendants of European nobility.

The beginning of the actual monarchy in the United Kingdom started with Alfred, "The Great", born the year 949, who lived and reigned from 871 until his death in 899. King Alfred actually inherited the title from his father Æthelwulf, who also inherited the title from his father Ecgberht. My 41st great grandfather was Ecgberht, King of Wessex, therefore making my 39th great grandfather the legendary Alfred, "The Great".

Does that seem remarkable to me? Not necessarily. Once one family member of nobility or royalty was traceable, it became evident that many other notable ancestors would be traceable as well.

So how did my bloodline no longer trickle down to the Queen of England? Seven great grandfathers handed their titles down, until my 33rd great grandmother Ælfgifu, whose brother Edmund II continued with the long lineage of kings instead of her.

Ælfgifu was the grandmother of my 32nd great grandmother, Nest Ferch Gruffydd, an ancestor from long ago whose portraits show a hauntingly similar appearance as me, and whose father, Gruffydd ap Llywelyn, was Prince of Gwynedd, Prince of Wales, and King of The Britons. Rather than marry into royalty, Nest chose to marry into nobility. Rather than marry into nobility, some ancestors eventually chose to simply marry wealthy. And at some point, other ancestors extended their roots by traveling many centuries later from England to America.

But getting back to England, my family tree has other branches that astoundingly stretched even further back into the antiquities, preceding the Old English monarchy to a time of Celtic Rulers, Ancient Druids, and Vikings.

My 38th great grandfather, Ragnvald Eysteinsson, Earl of Møre, was a Norse Viking from Vestfold, Norway and was born the year 825. His son, Gangu-Hrólfr Ragnvaldsson Mœrajarl, was also a Norse Viking and eventually became the Duke of Normandie. He is a relative through a paternal grandparent, as a daughter of Nest named Agnes Ferch Osborn married and had children by Bernard de Neufmarché, Lord of Brecknock in France. Both are my 31st great grandparents.

It is through the maternal side of Nest that directly traces back to Alfred, "The Great" who, again, was King of Wessex. It is through the paternal side of Nest that I was able to initially reach as far back as 160 B.C. to my 66th great grandfather, Manogan ap Eneid, who was both King of The Britons as well as King of The Druids. Then, upon tracing his ancestry, I was able to go even further back to 1100 B.C. with my 85th great grandfather, Brutus, the first King of Britain, one of my oldest recorded and reliably sourced relatives that lived astoundingly over three thousand years before my birth.

VI. CASTLES TITLES AND NAMES

Upon the start of my research, I was very much interested in discovering all of the different family surnames. The men were quite unique by their first name as well, such as my great grandfathers Gruffydd, Llewelyn, Glewddigar, and more. But with classical names like Agnes and Martha, along with more ancient ones such as Nest, Sybil, Selene, Delphia, and Druscilla, I already knew my grandmothers were going to have a bewitchingly magical story to tell.

Names served a meaning for various ways of identification, that included individual recognition, who their father was, where exactly they lived, and other practical purposes. The title "ferch", also "verch" in Welsh means "daughter of" and is derived from the German variant "ferg". Equally, the term "ap" or "ab" is Welsh for "son of", as the equivalent in Ireland is "Fitz", "Mac", or "Mc".

Nobility names often included what area or region their family presided over. In Germany, my husband's ancestors used "von" such as in "von Langenfeld" to make it known that they were from Langenfeld, Germany. Thus his 8th great grandmother "Margaretha von Langenfeld" to those who spoke English was "Margaret of Langenfeld". My husband's own surname "Nicolai" is derived from his German ancestors who also lived in England and France, being referred to in those regions as "Nicolay" or "de Nicolay".

Aristocratic surnames in France often started with "de" and "le" to reflect "of" and "the", as my Norman ancestors were "le Scrope", "le Despencer", "de Neville", "de Beauchamp", and "de Ferrers", among others. Although I was able to find records of some that preferred to remain in France, eventually most decided to become established in England and were a prominent part of European aristocracy.

Overall, many of the family names I discovered were often associated with certain titles, as they eagerly and steadfastly acquired land, property, and castles:

- My 33rd great grandmother, Bertha Tutbury, Queen of Durbuy, was born the year 1001 in Tutbury Castle of Tutbury, Staffordshire, England, a mystical, medieval place that was built during the Stone Age.
- Her children followed the same tradition for birth, including my 32nd great grandmother, Mahaut de Durbuy, who was born the year 1018, also in Tutbury Castle of Tutbury, Staffordshire, England.
- My 32nd great grandfather and husband of Nest Ferch Gruffydd, Osborn Fitz Richard, was born the year 1025 in what is known even today as "Richard's Castle" of Hereford, Herefordshire, England.
- My 30th great grandfather, Walter de Beauchamp of Elmley, was born the year 1090 in Elmley Castle of Elmley, Worcestershire, England.
- For over ten generations after him, his children, their children, and the many children after them became Barons, Earls, and Lords that were also born in Elmley Castle of Elmley, Worcestershire, England, with the exception of a few born in Warwick Castle of Warwick, Warwickshire, England.
- My 30th great grandmother, Sybil de Neufmarché, Countess of Hereford, Lady of Brecknock, was born the year 1092 in Brecon Castle of Brecon, Breconshire, Wales.
- My 29th great grandfather, Sir Robert de Ferrers, II Earl of Derby, who was born the year 1090 in Tutbury Castle of Tutbury, Staffordshire, England.
- Many of his family members were also born in Tutbury Castle, including his son, my 28th great grandfather, Sir William de Ferrers, III Earl of Derby, Knight, who was known for being a member of the Knights Templar and was born the year 1136 in Tutbury Castle of Tutbury, Staffordshire, England as well.
- My 26th great grandmother, Lady Agnes de Meschines of Chester, Lady of Chartley, was born the year 1174, also in Tutbury Castle of Tutbury, Staffordshire, England.
- My 20th great grandmother, Constance Plantagenet of York, Countess of Gloucester, Baroness le Despencer, was born the year 1374 in Conisburgh Castle of Conisburgh, Yorkshire, England.
- Her grandfather, Edward III Plantagenet, King of England, was born the year 1312 in Windsor Castle of Windsor, Berkshire, England.
- His father, Edward II Plantagenet, King of England, was born the year 1284 in Caernarfon Castle of Caernarfon, Caernarvonshire, Wales.
- His grandfather, Henry III Plantagenet, King of England, was born the year 1207 in Winchester Castle of Winchester, Hampshire, England.
- My 19th great grandfather, Sir Ralph de Neville, Earl of Westmoreland, Knight, was born the year 1291 in Raby Castle of Staindrop, Durham, England.
- My 19th great grandfather, Richard de Beauchamp, XIII Earl van Warwick, was born the year 1382, in Warwick Castle of Warwick, Warwickshire, England.
- His father, Thomas de Beauchamp, XII Earl van Warwick, was born the year 1339, and his grandfather, Thomas de Beauchamp, XI Earl van Warwick, was born the year 1313, both also in Warwick Castle of Warwick, Warwickshire, England.
- His children were born in castles as well, including my 18th great grandmother, Lady Elizabeth III de Beauchamp, Baroness of Bergavenny, who was born the year 1415 in Hanley Castle of Hanley, Staffordshire, England.
- Her husband, my 18th great grandfather, Sir Edward de Neville, Baron of Bergavenny, Knight, was born the year 1412 in Raby Castle of Staindrop, Durham, England.
- My 17th great grandfather, Sir John Edward Sutton VI, I Baron of Dudley, Knight, was born the year 1400 in Dudley Castle of Dudley, Staffordshire, England.
- His father, Lord John Edward Sutton V, IV Baron Sutton of Dudley, was born the year 1380 in Malpas Castle of Coleshill, Warwickshire, England.
- Many of his family members were also born in Dudley Castle, including his son, my 16th great grandfather, Lord Edmund Sutton of Dudley, who was born the year 1425 in Dudley Castle of Dudley, Staffordshire, England as well.
- His grandson, my 14th great grandfather, Lord Geoffrey Sutton of Dudley, Esquire, was born the year 1507, also in Dudley Castle of Dudley, Staffordshire, England.
Those that weren't born in castles were more than likely born in palaces or chateaus, such as several of my great grandparents from the Plantagenet Family.
All of these medieval castles and many other magnificent structures that were not mentioned continue to be notable and historical landmarks today.

VII. ANCIENT ARISTOCRACY AND LINEAGE

There was an instant feeling of spirituality, intrigue, and enlightenment as I delved deeper into the mystical, magical, almost surreal knowledge of my ancestors closer to the beginning of B.C. And I would not have been able to trace them so far if it weren't for their prominent predecessors.

Were they what can be referred to as ancient aristocracy? Or were they merely the result of successful explorers, conquerors, and rulers?

Along with the others you have already read about, here are just a few more interesting and notable ancestors:

- My 17th great grandmother, Lady Elizabeth de Neville, was born around 1444 A.D. in Bedford, Bedfordshire, England. With a knight for a husband and a baron but also a knight for a father, she was one of the first ancestors from England that launched the discovery of my family being of a prominent part of European nobility.
- My 19th great grandfather, Sir Ralph de Neville, Earl of Westmoreland, Knight, was born the year 1291 A.D. in Raby Castle of Staindrop, Durham, England. Besides being a knight, he was the Sheriff of Hutton, Snape, Sutton, Well and Yorkshire, the Commissioner and Warden of the Scottish Marches, as well as Justice of the Forests, North of the Trent.
- My 28th great grandfather, Geoffroy V Plantagenet, Count of Anjou Maine and Mortain, is the patriarch of a long line of kings from the Plantagenet Family, including King John, King Henry II, King Henry III, King Edward I King Edward II, and King Edward III. My 29th great grandfather, King Henry I is not included as one of his prominent ancestors because this king is actually his wife's father. And his wife indeed holds enough titles of her own, as she is my 28th great grandmother, Matilda the "Holy Roman Empress", "Queen of Germany", "Queen of England", and "Queen of Scotland".
- My 31st great grandmother, Nest Ferch Osborn, was born around 1079 A.D. in Eardisland, Herefordshire, England. She is the daughter of my 32nd great grandmother, Nest Ferch Gruffydd, and was the first ancestor who revealed the extraordinary history in my family from nobility to ancient royalty.
- My 35th great grandmother, Godgifu, Countess of Mercia, was born around 980 A.D. in Mercia, Heptarche, England, and is famously referred to by many historically as the beautiful "Lady Godiva". When her husband, Leofric III, Earl of Mercia, brazenly challenged her to ride through the town naked, in order for him to excuse the poor of paying their taxes, he did not think she would do so. But she did so, wearing nothing but her long beautiful hair, and the rest, as you might know, became history.
- My 38th great grandfather, Rhodri ap Merfyn, was born around 820 A.D. in Caer Seiont, Carnarvonshire, Wales, and was known as Rhodri "The Great". He at some point clashed with Alfred of Wessex, also known as Alfred "The Great", resulting in no longer being King of the Britons, in spite of his prior success and popularity.
- My 39th great grandfather, Alfred of Wessex, was born around 849 A.D. in Wantage, Berkshire, England, and is known throughout history as being Alfred "The Great". He inherited his position from his father and grandfather who were known for their own individual accomplishments.
- My 43rd great grandfather, Pepin III, King of France, was born around 714 A.D. in Austrasia, France, and is the father of Charlemagne I who was a Holy Roman Emperor.
- My 44th great grandfather, Saint Rhychwin Farfog ap Helig, was born around 488 A.D. in Wales, and, like his title says, was a saint. Saint Rhychwin was known for being a king who, at some point, founded a church where his many good deeds are how he eventually became looked upon as a saint.
- My 48th great grandfather, Mummolin Carolingian, was born around 536 A.D. in Old Saxony, Germany. He, along with his children and grandchildren, were part of the Carolingian Dynasty.
- My 53rd great grandfather, Merovech Merovingian, King of the Salian Franks, was born around 411 A.D. in Turnacum, Belgica, Galilae, Roman Empire. He is the founder of the legendary Merovingian Dynasty.
- My 66th great grandfather, Manogan ap Eneid, was born around 150 B.C. in Britain and was educated in Rome. He was both King of the Britons as well as King of the Druids. Even one of those titles alone was enough to convince me of how he must have been important and influential.
- My 85th great grandfather, Brutus, was born around 1100 B.C. in Italy and was known as the first King of Britain, where he later lived and died. Legend has it that he is a direct descendant of Venus, the Goddess of love and beauty. And once you come across research this old, most of it seems as if it is a legend.

Speaking of legend, a man believed to be my 94th great grandfather, Dardanus, was born around 1500 B.C. in Egypt and was known for being King of Dardania as well as King of Arcadia. Because many fictional stories were told about him, even reliably sourced data found was not enough to fully acknowledge him in any other way beyond myth.

Many moons ago, ancestors including my 55th great grandfather, Marcomir I, King of the Franks de Cologne, born around 347 A.D. in Germany, whose grandaughter Clodeswinthe married Merovech Merovingian, King of the Salian Franks and the founder of the Merovingian Dynasty, I noticed that there were so many "Franks" in my family tree. From that point on that, upon delving further with some of their parents and grandparents, I found that they were somehow related to a woman by the name of Mary ben Heli, born in 26 A.D. and is known throughout the world for being the blessed "Virgin Mary", "Mother of Christ". As farfetched as this originally might have seemed, I understand the fact that Jesus Christ did indeed exist. Whether or not he performed "miracles" and is the actual "Son of God" is another story and perhaps only in the mind of a believer, but regardless, he was a man among many that was recorded in history as once living.

There were so many other ancestors that surely had very interesting lives as well, some that will surely find their way onto my computer screen long after this story, but those that have been mentioned were a selective few, also considered quite notable and fully documented in historical mentionings and publications.

CONCLUSION

So I can trace my ancestry back to family figures that include slaves, War Heroes, Sons of the American Revolution, Barons, Counts, Earls, Dukes, King Alfred the Great, Charlemagne the Holy Roman Emperor, Druid Kings, Norse Kings, Saints, Guardians of the Holy Grail, Crusaders from the Knights Templar, as well as members of the Carolingian and Merovingian Dynasty. That certainly explains my fiery yet reserved personality, to say the least, but it does not excuse me from those not so charming times when I've acted a bit too much like a queen, even before I knew I had the bloodline of ancient royalty.

One family member I will never forget, regardless of all that glitters from being extraordinary, is that of my 4th great grandmother Delphia. Delphia is in no way considered to be aristocracy, nobility, or royalty, however she is just as important to me regarding my exciting and colorful lineage. I will continue to find out more about Delphia, and will also expand my knowledge of all my other ancestors, as many more names will become known upon exploring more information and documentation. But for now, what I have already written about today is enough to display a full fest of foliage.

Many distant relatives who created their own family trees fell quite short with branches, due to their focusing primarily, if not solely, upon the paternal paths. My advice to them and anyone else researching their family tree, is to remember that the males in the family can only tell half of the story. Yes, most of the relatives mentioned come from my father's side, but it was a combination of his great grandfathers and great grandmothers that allowed me to trace back to such interesting genealogy. Therefore, by tracing both paternal and maternal lineage, I was able to confidently and continuously thrive with my thoroughly intriguing findings.

As to my African ancestry, it might not be traceable to specific people beyond those recorded in slave records. But that alone is even more reason to embrace the wonders of the culture in itself, perhaps explaining my love for Ancient Egypt and the richness of a civilization that had always bewitched me growing up. I studied the many gods and goddesses, marveled at the spectacular gems and gold the region owned in abundance, and watched countless times videos of the exotic wild cats such as their regal and powerful lions, as I glorified in their grace and beauty. Like many civilizations, at some point they did reign supreme, with highly advanced knowledge in agriculture, architecture, astronomy, gemology, herbology, medicine, and other ancient wisdom that even today we have yet to fully know and discover.

Overall, I became intensely enraptured by the immense legacy of my family ancestry. I am who they were because I would not even be if they were never before me. They are not dead, but instead alive in me and my surviving family. My DNA, my ancient bloodline, my magical spirit, and every cell of my entire being have a sure and most certain trace of them. Surely there must be an afterlife, because so many great spirit of my lengthy ancestral past have passed on to another realm that we have yet to even know or come close to being a part of. What greatness they once achieved in their life is, of course, indeed very real. However I truly believe that, wherever they are right now in this universe, they must have even more of a magnificent, extraordinary, exceptionally unique story to continue and someday tell.