Tales of old

[CeeJay]

Reading post from other forum-goers about their ancestors and the like has made me curious. And thus I would like to ask you all : What is your favorite story/legend about your family/ancestors?

My favorite would be about how my family came to live in Canada, way back when it was la Nouvelle-France. According to legend, my ancestor was sent here because he was exiled from France for sleeping with the king's wife.

I'm pretty sure that isn't what really happened (he probably would've been excuted those days instead of simply being exiled), but hey, it's a fun little story anyways.

[boghira]

My ansestry is rather colorful. From my father's side my ansestors descend from the Cossaks that lived around the Don River and the Azov Sea. They were fierce defenders of the river forts that surounded the delta during the Tatar raids in Peter The Great's time. From my mother's side my great grandparents used to be wealthy land owners in Ukraine when they were accused of being gulags and were shipped off to Siberia during the Revolution. I was born in Khemerovo, a city that started out as a hard labor camp in the early days of communism.

[Darth Lorax]

My surname is English but was brought to the US by an Irish indentured servant. He worked off his debt on a cotton plantation and eventually his family had their own plantation.

Back in the 1800's on my mother's side I have an ancestor who was convicted of murder and died in prison. However, family lore says he was an honorable man who took the blame for his wife and daughter. While he was away on business someone broke into the house and attacked the women. They fought back and accidentally killed him. They were afraid to tell anyone so they hid the body until the husband came home. Since they waited so long to report it the police didn't believe it was self defense.

[Eithne]

On my Father's side of the family I am Polish and Im not sure about my Grand mother her maiden name was Kenyan and Im not sure if that is Scotch or Irish or English. That's the boring side


On my mother's side of the Family, Im related to Daniel Boone (He'as a greatgreatgreatgreat uncle)
I also have ties back to Sir Simon Carruthers in Scotland. Thats through my mom's mother. Her Dad's side of the family, came to Texas in the second group of German settlers in the state. My grandfather also won a Silver Star in WWII. My uncle Charlie was best friends with Audie Murphy. I really wish I was around when they were alive. The stories I could havre soaked up from them would have been amazing


I also have an ancestor who was on the same boat as George Washington when he cross the Delware river.

[Coffee]

My aunt Judith or my uncle John could tell much on this regard, and I do intend to learn what they know before they pass along.

What I do know is our family went from Scotland to Ireland to England before settling down in the U.S, and we're spread out over four of five states.
Here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Abernethy) are a couple of ancestors I could find information about.

[Rifter]

Little is known about my dad's father, as he burned or destroyed most of his records and information before he came over to Canada. The best we could assume (and we had to, as he passed away when my dad was only 14) was that he was on the run. One of my dads' cousins did some research and we speculate he might have been related to the King of Croatia before the heirarchy was overthrown in 1936. He was also the royal winemaker and a soldier for royal family. However, we can't be certain, because when he moved to Canada, the immigrations officer couldn't decipher his handwriting, and his last name was changed to what ours is now. We are fairly sure we know what it was originally, but, you never know.

On my moms side of the family: her (my moms',) great grandmother was the daughter of one of wealthiest families in Germany prior to WWII. They owned a tin factory that was stormed and converted into a munitions factory for the Nazis. By then, though, she had already been living in Canada and was disowned by her family for marrying a commoner, (although she still recieved a monthly allowance of something like $1000 up until the factory was taken from them, which at the time was a lot of money.) Her son later went on to serve in the latter part of WWI as a medic, and then full term in WWII in the armoured corp., even surviving Juno Beach. He came back home alive, with many medals.

[Wolf]

Acording to my Grandma's Sister I am supposed to be related to Jesse James on my mom's side and Sam Bass on my fathers. Both of them outlaws of course, and my last name is Bass.

[Jacene]

Acording to my Grandma's Sister I am supposed to be related to Jesse James on my mom's side and Sam Bass on my fathers. Both of them outlaws of course, and my last name is Bass.

Wow we must be related somewhat, I was told I am related to Jesse James as well.

[Ciarin]

Many people are related to Jesse James. Just like many are related to an Indian Princess and are therefore part indian, which is usually cherokee.

I seriously doubt any of it.

[Lirren]

I have a ton of fun stories about my ancestors. But my very favorite one is the fact that my many-times-great-grandparents on my maternal grandfather's side of the family and my many-times-great-grandparents on my maternal grandmother's side of the family both came over to America on the same boat at the same time then scattered to never meet again until my grandparents got married.

OH! And Ciarin, happy birthday to your munchkin pretty soon. It's hard to believe it's almost been a whole year!

[Darth Lorax]

Many people are related to Jesse James. Just like many are related to an Indian Princess and are therefore part indian, which is usually cherokee.

I seriously doubt any of it.

I'm at least 1/32nd Cherokee. My great, great, great grand mother Abigail was Cherokee. (I assume that was her 'Christian' name.) However, I've never claimed to be Native American.

[Da_Dude]

YESS!!! FINALLY I CAN TELL MY STORY WITHOUT SOUNDIGN LIKE A BRAGGART!!


Okay wayyy back in the 1500s I had this ancstor called Duncan MacRae. the MacRaes and the MacDonalds didn't ever get along that well. So when a guy named Gorm MacDonald attack one of the MacRae's allie's castles Duncan MacRae, who also holds a personal grudge agaist Gorm, comes sailing to the island castle to defend it. MacDonald comes up in his gally and begins to seige the castle. Eventually after much carnage and battle only Duncan and a watchman are left standing on the wall. MacDonald, being the MacDonald clan leader, goes around to one side of the wall to scout out a good place to attack. Duncan, reduced to his last arrow, sees Gorm and takes a shot. The arrow strikes Gorm in the foot, the arrow was barbed, so when Gorm tries to remove the arrow it rips up a major vein and he bleeds to death. After this the castle is still eventually seiged but Ducan survives. Years later after Duncan had a son Duncan Jr., the son of Gorm MacDonald and Duncan MacRae become friends despite their family fude.


Yea, I love that story. It got me into archery and I'm gonna name my future son Duncan because of it. Hope you guys enjoyed.

[Breandan]

Our family was born of the union between Fearghus Mac Roith, who was the rightfull king of Ulaid (Ulster, northern Ireland basically) and Méabh, queen of Connacht (westerm part of Ireland)-

"...They continued to act thus till they ravaged the district of Cuailgne—a deed from which sprang much mischief and contention between the two provinces; and in this manner they passed seven years without an hour's truce between them. Within that time Fearghus knew Méabh, and she conceived of him, and bore him three sons at one birth, namely, Ciar, and Corc, and Conmhac, as the poet says:

1. Méabh conceived in fair Cruachain Of Fearghus, who deserved not reproach, And brought forth triplets faultless, strong, Ciar and Corc and Conmhac...

...From this Ciar is named Ciarraide in Munster, and Ó Conchubhair Ciarraide is of his progeny..."- The History of Ireland, Book I, p.195

[Gavin Darkhart]

I don't have a favorite. so I'll post one more or less at random.

lets see here, around 1000 AD or so a prince went form england to scotland, kind of a boring chap, so we'll skip him cause he's not important anyway. along with him went a fellow from Grey Home who being a smart fellow wanders off to the highlands, meets and marries the eldest Strathern princess a Celt through and through, and as such her offspring (celts in highland scotland reckon decent through the mother) were considered to be the heirs to the strathern family and of the highlands.
of course to the lowlanders those same kids were Grahams, and lowlanders through and through.

set the name up for some real interesting times later on down the line. Just look up the earls of Rosemont or John Alexander Graham of Dundee. or the guy standing next to that wallace chap.

yup, down right usefull to be part of both sides of a divided people.

[Korkskrew]

Breanden, you seem pretty learned in Irish history, what can you tell me about the Braziels?

[Breandan]

Breanden, you seem pretty learned in Irish history, what can you tell me about the Braziels?PM me all of the pertinents and I will do some research

[Korkskrew]

Nah, I don't want to trouble you, just wondering if you knew anything about 'em off the top of your head.