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Spinning a Scottish Yarn: The Reverend David Dickson Part One Beginnings in Glasgow and Busby

Posted on June 20, 2026 2 Comments

Storaidhnean farsaig: in Scots Gaelic storaidhnean is a story or tale and farsaig : wide, extensive or broad. Roughly translated an expansive tale. This may turn out to be Storaidhnean farsaig.

INTRODUCTION

As I often do when getting ready for a trip I try my hand at researching my own families that may intersect with the places I am to visit. I have done this many times. A search on my website will find many examples. It starts with someone that catches my eye or strikes my fancy and then take on a life of its own. This is a long and twisted tale—so it will be tackled in parts

My upcoming trip to Scotland in October I will be based in Edinburgh, Stirling and Cromarty (near Inverness). My Scots ancestry is not recent with many of my families coming in the early 1700’s and mostly via Ireland. I have at least 3 STEWART lines, DICKSON, KENNEDY, ROBERTON, HAMILTON, ROBINSON, PADEN, WILLIAMSON, CAMPBELL and many others. My great grandmother was a PADEN and that is a line that I have used DNA when the paper trail dried up. I have written about one of my STEWART lines that goes dry in Ireland before my immigrant Alexander STEWART who likely was born in Antrim, Northern Ireland about 1675, immigrates to America in 1719. He settled in Voluntown, New London, Connecticut and died there 20 July 1742. Finding the proper Alexander STEWART is like a needle in a haystack. Although through DNA we have confirmed the family legend that he was of the Royal STEWART line.

Like so much in genealogy when you can’t find your specific individual follow their religion. The first known Scots Irish immigration from Northern Ireland to Boston, Massachusetts is in August of 1718, followed by thousand of others in the next decade. These were Scots who originally fled religious persecution of Presbyterians during the reign of James VI by the Church of Scotland. They chiefly immigrated to Ulster, Ireland from Scotland starting about 1610. The first Presbyterian minister, Rev George Dunbar served in 1627. The creation of the first presbytery in Ulster in 1642 was by chaplains of a Scottish Covenanter army which had arrived to protect the mostly Protestant British (Scottish and English) settlers in Ulster. It is one of the oldest in Northern Ireland having been established by members of the Scottish Kirk who came during the Plantation of Ulster. The First Presbyterian Church of Ballymena, Kirkinriola, Antrim, Northern Ireland was in 1666.

My Alexander STEWART’s father was a likely descendant of those original Presbyterians and he is listed as Presbyterian in Connecticut. He marries in Ireland Margaret DIXON, she born about 1677 at Ballymena. Her father was Robert DICKSON born at Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland about 1630, son of the famous Covenanter, the Rev. David DICKSON, and her mother was Priscilla KENNEDY daughter of Hugh (Hew) KENNEDY.

And at this point I am having a bit of deja vu. As in my search for my Alexander PADEN’s origins, one invariable comes into contact with Alexander PEDEN 1626 – 1686, also known as “Prophet PEDEN.” He was one of the leading figures in the Covenanter movement in Scotland as was David DICKSON. PEDAN was born at Auchincloich Farm near Sorn, Ayrshire, about 1626. He was a student at the University of Glasgow from 1643 to 1648. David DICKSON was appointed Professor of Divinity in Glasgow in 1641 and served there about ten years. So don’t you just love those coincedences?

Mask attributed to Alexander PEDEN © 2005 David Monniaux CC BY-SA 3.0,

As it turns out the YDNA for the famous Alexander PEDEN line, is not the same as that of my Alexander PADEN. My Alexander is the son of John PADEN b 20 Dec 1767 Coleraine, Londonderry, Northern Ireland who immigrates to Maryland. Since PADEN is a Nickname for Little Patrick and the DNA connections are with MCKEE, MAXWELL, NOBLE, LOWERY and other surnames and mostly in Ireland that remains a brick wall. However the children of a PADEN and a STEWART of mine line marry and I think that connection is a hint.

DAVID DICKSON

In the absence of many clues I decide to follow the DIXON / DICKSON line as it seemed to provide more material. The Rev David Dickson (c. 1583–1662) is my 9th great grandfather. He was a minster, a professor of theology, a writer and a poet. Reaching back hundreds of years, for many of our ancestors we can barely get a glimpse. We are luck with David DICKSON because we can read his own words and those of his contemporaries. The personal biography contained in his book “Truth’s Victory over Error, or, the true principles of the Christian religion“, originally translated by George SINCLAIR and misattributed to him. Later it was published in David DICKSON’s name with the Rev. Robert WODROW (1679-1734) giving a short account of the Reverend DICKSON’s life. It is that account that I am using in part as the basis to track his life along with as many contemporary resources as I can fit in. My purpose is to get a feel for the man and the places he may have been rather than the typical genealogy of names, dates and places. Nor am I looking to him as theologian or Presbyterian scholar but, rather a curious descendant.

GLASGOW

According to Scott Hew’s Fasti ecclesiae scoticanae; the succession of ministers in the Church of Scotland from the reformation 1915: “DAVID DICKSON of Busby, born Glasgow 1583, son of John DICK/SON, a wealthy merchant of the Trongate, was at first intended for the mercantile profession, but afterwards studied for the Church. After becoming M.A. of Glasgow, he was appointed Regent of Philosophy in the University, and on 31st March 1618 was ordained minister of Irvine...”

This is not quite as colorful or as informative as “the Short Account of his life” from Truth’s Victory cited above.: “Mr. David DICK, or DICKSON, was the only Son of John Dick or DICKSON, Merchant in Glasgow, whose Father was an old Feuar (land owner), and possessor of some Lands in the Barony of Fintry, and Parish of Saint Ninians, called the Kirk of the Muir. His Parents were Religious Persons, of considerable Substance, and many Years married before they had this Child, and he was the only one ever they had, as I am informed. As he was a Samuel asked of the Lord, for he was early devoted to him and-the Ministry; yet afterwards the Vow was forgot, till Providence, by a Rod and fore Sickness on their Son, brought their Sins to Remembrance; and then he was put to resume his Studies which he had left, and at the University of Glasgow he made very great Progress in them.” [Truth’s Victory xi-xii]

So doing some digging on “Kirk of the Muir,” I find Post Reformation Minister of St Ninians Old Parish Church 1567-1587 was Patrick GILLEPSIE, Minister of St Ninians, Larbert, Donypace, Kippane, Kirk o’ Muir and Gargunnock. So it appears that the parish contained within it these churches. Stirling names website states: “The Kirk on the Muir in the Carron Valley, is one of the most overlooked wee gems in Stirling and is rife with a deep history. The site of a chapel dedicated to St Mary in the 15^th century, probably in connection with John de Graham’s Castle and marked on maps in the 17^th and 18^th centuries it was demolished by the 1850s, when it became just a cemetery and the site of what may be Scotland’s smallest school, measuring 7.5m long and 4m wide!” The small graveyard remains but the Carron River was dammed forming the Carron Valley Reservoir about 1939. Below is the Ordnance Survey map from 1878. Whether his father just owned land there or lived there is not known.

**1665 Blaeu Map showing Stirling Castle, Cambuskennth Abbey, Bannockburn and St Mary’s Kirk of the Muir.**

As often happens as you dig you discover more. A much more complete version of David DIckson’s life appears in Select practical writings of David Dickson, vol. 1 and pulled together by the editor. It would have saved me much time in my searching but the longer journey is sometimes the more scenic route. Our introduction reads like a tale from the bible ; “Mr David Dickson, or Dick, (for the family seems to have used either name indifferently.) was the son of Mr John Dick, merchant in Glasgow, a man of religious character, and possessed of considerable wealth. John, and his partner in life, had been several years married without having offspring, a circumstance that grieved them deeply ; and they not only prayed themselves, but stirred up others to pray for them, that they might have a son — vowing, that if their petition was granted, they Would devote him to the service of the Lord. Their prayers were heard, and David was given to them, like a second Samuel, to comfort them in their old age. The precise date of his birth cannot be ascertained, but it is supposed to have been in 1583. In proper time the boy was sent to school ; but after he had learned some Latin, his parents forgot their vow, and sent him to sea in the capacity of a supercargo, intending thus to train him up to merchandise. But several losses they sustained at sea after David had entered upon his charge, and subsequently, a severe sickness with which he was visited, admonished them sharply of their dereliction. They bewailed their forgetfulness, and sent him to the University of Glasgow, where his proficiency soon showed that he had at last got into his proper element. [Select v-vi]

So we learn that John DICK or DICKSON was a merchant of “considerable wealth” in Glasgow. From Fasti ecclesiae we learn he was of Trongate. Trongate is one of the oldest streets in the in Glasgow, Scotland. The name of the street comes from the town’s “tron” or wooden weighing beam, which was once situated on this street. All bulk goods, like wool and grain coming into the city, would be weighed at the tron. Trongate begins at Glasgow Cross, where the steeple of the old Glasgow Tollbooth is situated, being the center of medieval Glasgow. The Tron church was founded as the Collegiate Church of Our Lady and St Anne in 1525. It became a Protestant church after the Reformation. The steeple was added to the church in about 1593, and rebuilt in 1636. No early drawing exist. Here is a view from about 1770. So we must imagine what it may have looked like at David DICKSON’s youth. The surviving records for Glasgow begin in 1609. Whether he was born in Glasgow or on his father’s property in Busby we do not know. He is recorded many times including his death as David DICKSON of BUSBY.

Trongate is on the left and the steeple on right would be the Tron Church Steeple

As we read above David was sent to the University of Glasgow. At this time the University was not far from the cathedral. Although this map is 200 years later it does show the locations proximity . In the left hand corner of the first map would be Trongate.

1778 Map of Glasgow (part) by John MacArthur showing Trongate the Church and the Tollbooth would be just to the right. Image on Left shows University and Cathedral.

David may have started Grammar School by the age of 7 to 9, or even earlier. From the account by Robert WODROW he left to be a servant on a merchant ship and then later became severely sick. When he recovered it appears he entered into training for the ministry. This often began at the University as early as 14 to 16 years old and continued through Divinity School for 7 years. “The young pupil, at his admission, was expected to be a thorough proficient in Latin…in addition to the higher Latin classics with which the course commenced, the students were initiated into the Greek grammar, and carried through the ample routine of the Greek poets and historians. These literary acquirements succeeded the study of rhetoric, logic, ethics, physics, geometry, and history ; after which the alumni were introduced to their more important work of studying Theology as a science in all its departments, and the Eastern languages with which it is connected. This course continued for six years.” [Select vi-vii]

“After he had completed a six years’ course, Dickson was found so well qualified for the duties of an instructor, that he was appointed Professor of Philosophy in the University of Glasgow. In this important charge, he was eminently successful in training the youths not only in learning, but sound religious principles. Having continued in the professorship for eight years, he was appointed Minister of Irvine, in the year 1618, when he had reached the mature age of thirty-five.” [Select viii]

BUSBY

We shall take a short detour to Busby where the family estate was located. Since John and later David are referred to as of Busby we can assume they lived there. Busby did not have a parish church at the time of David’s birth. Busby lays about 6 miles south of Glasgow, in the parish of Kilbride [now East Kilbride]. The White Cart Water runs due south out of Glasgow to Busby. The name Busby was originally Bushby as it was referred to on John Ainslie’s map of 1792. Before this however, the area was actually known as Newmill and can be seen on BLAEU’s atlas of 1654.

David DICKSON married Margaret ROBERTON, daughter of Archibald ROBERTON of Stonehall [Stanehall] , on 23 September 1617 Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae; Vol 1; pages 64-65. If the age of his birth is correct this would make him about 34 at the time of his marriage. Margaret is said to have been born about 1598 making her about 19. This may have been at Earnock.

At Holyroodhouse on 29 July 1626 a Royal Charter was granted by King Charles I to John DICKSON merchant, burgess of Glasgow and to Master David DICKSON his eldest son minister at the church of Irvine in life rent and after the death of John to John DICKSON eldest lawful son of Master David of the lands of Busbie in the parish of Kilbride, Ayrshire with fisheries, the mill of Busbie [Busby] then in the sheriffdom of Lanark on the resignation of Sir Walter STEWART of Minto, Lady Christina CRAWFORD his spouse and Ludovic their son. Registrum magni sigilli regum Scotorum : The register of the Great seal of Scotland, A.D. 1306-1668. Busby lies due south of Glasgow on the White Cart water. At Busby there there was a meal mill at the waterfall, which can be traced back to 1300. Over the years the river was harnessed to power various types of small mills, for example lint [linen], waulk and grain mills. A waulk or fulling mill ia a mill where fabric is cleaned, felted and thickened. Later there were a couple of Cotton Mills in the area. We do not know the exact nature of John DICKSON’s business, however it might have been any of the above mills. The will of John DICKSOUN 1630 is to be found at Scotland’s People CC9/7/23 Glasgow Commissary Court.

In 1632 the estate of his father John DICKSON of Busbie is settled. November 29, 1632 Brief inquest of Mr David DICKSON, minister of Irvine, as heir of deceased John Dickson of Busbie, his father [GD172/2481] It is five pages and not yet even attempted transcription.

To be continued…

Things Treasured, Things Loved

Posted on June 19, 2026 Leave a Comment

“To love abundantly is to live life abundantly , and to love forever is to live forever.”

Henry DRUMMOND

On the way to teach my genealogy class this morning an interview of the poet, Kevin YOUNG, is playing on NPR. The host asks YOUNG: ” Do you feel the dead are around you? Do you feel the strength and the power of ancestors?” Out loud I answer, “Yes!”

I don’t remember how long I have had this small book, but from the moment I laid eyes on it, I loved it. It belonged to my grandfather Milo MOSIER and I very much loved him. We shared a love of many things including poetry and gardens, and especially violets. The book came, or rather was claimed by me, after my grandfather died in 1968. His funeral was on my birthday. Something a teenager does not forget. My father had the book for a time, but then gave it to me.

The binding is falling apart. The soft suede calfskin cover is fraying. The reverse gilding creating the title has lost part of its luster. As we age, things do. It is inscribed, “To Milo From Mother With Fervent Wishes for a Merry Christmas Nov 30, 1918.“

It is titled “The Greatest Thing in the World” by Henry DRUMMOND. It has been a comfort to me to read it, not often, but sprinkled throughout my life. He asks, “What is the Greatest Thing in the World?” And he answers it with a polemic from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. Specifically, “The greatest of these is Love.”

Not long ago I mentioned it to someone who studies the bible. And then a little while later, I asked myself “who” is Henry Drummond? As a teenager I would have turned to the Encyclopedia Britannica and scanned its pages of small type for a description, but now days the answer is a few clicks away on our cell phones. Henry Drummond, 17 August 1851 – 11 March 1897, was a Scottish evangelist, biologist, writer and lecturer. Scottish I mused. A trip to Scotland is already booked for October. So I read on: Born in Stirling, Scotland died in Turnbridge Wells, England. Buried in Stirling at Valley Cemetery. I look up Valley cemetery which leads to this lovely video.

I had been to Stirling Castle ten years ago but lacked the time to explore the cemetery. As it happens we are staying at the building at the very bottom of the video, below Holy Rude Church. The serendipity! Henry DRUMMOND’s grave is located just north-east of the church and is marked by a distinctive, large red granite Celtic cross. Well that should not be hard to find. l learned that Henry’s uncle, William, has a much more unique monument which every day, I dare say hundreds of people admire. The Star Pyramid and Martyr’s Monument and the adjacent DRUMMOND Pleasure Garden were commissioned and financed by William DRUMMOND in 1859. William was a prosperous Stirling seed merchant and local evangelist In 1814, he and his son opened a shop W. DRUMMOND & Son’s on the corner of Baker Street and Bow Street in Stirling. When I looked up what kind of seed they sold it was flowers and vegetables and grains and seed potatoes. As a gardener I feel I will be among kindred spirits. Now several more things to add to my pilgrimage to Stirling, Scotland.

It just dawned on my yesterday to pay closer attention to the date of the book’s inscription Nov 30 2018. In 1918 my grandfather was in France as an Army medic. Nov 11th the armistice was signed. This book was sent by his mother Lulu to her son, in the hope it arrived to Milo by Christmas 1918. Because I had transcribed his mother Lulu’s diary I could find the relevant entries

Tue Nov 5 – Still no letter from Milo. I await his address slip anxious as I cannot mail him his Christmas box without it.
Friday November 8 – Two letters came to brighten up the day. One from Milo and one from Allie. But Milo didn’t send his slip for his Christmas box. I am very sorry I am afraid when it comes it will be too late as they have to be sent by Nov 20...Milo wrote from the front and says he has a fine bunch of souvenirs for me. He writes very entertainingly of army life at the front.
Nov 30 Sat. – …go to Berkeley red cross for that everlastingly elusive Christmas Carton. Last day. The card I have chosen to send bears this appropriate verse…I arrived at the Red Cross 1:15 and was the last one to send a box over seas from Berkeley. I came home afoot Leo trotting along in and out of doorways up and down steps banks and hillocks, tireless. I was tired enough when I got home.

To my lad in Khaki
Heaven possess you, fortune bless you all along the unseen way,
Forward faring, gladly sharing
In the nations testing days
Courage fill you service thrill you
Victory crown each brave advance
Comrads cheer you God be near you,
Soldier boy “Some where in France.”

Jan 23 Fri. — …I am in a flutter of anticipation over Milos possible arrival in N. York.
Sun Feb 9 – …We have had several letters from Milo lately saying among other things that he had received his Christmas box and that he was coming home soon he thought.
Mar 30 Sun …I had a letter from Milo about two weeks ago he had written it so long ago that it wasn’t very newsy. He didn’t expect to get away from France for a while probably until spring. He was doing nurse duty and said it was a great life if you didn’t weaken.
May 11 – Mothers day. Just 1 yr since my Milo gave me a fine bunch of carnations in lovely Ca. Valley [Castrol Valley] . I have some of them waxed…Milo should be home soon.
May 17 –Saw in the paper that Milo’s regiment was on their way home.
May 18 …He [Milo] is bronzed, bigger than when he left nervous and happy to be home. Likes S. F. better than New York or any other place…Milo is home and I am glad.

The “Greatest Thing in the World” was originally delivered as an address to a large body of Students at Northfield, Massachusettes in the summer of 1897 [Thomas Aquinas University].

Milo, when still just a lad of 19, far from home in France, at the close of the first World War receives “The Greatest Thing in the World” from his mother as a Christmas gift. It travels from Berkeley to France and back to the Presidio in San Francisco with Milo—and kept by him for the rest of his life. Passed on to my Dad and then to me.

Someone in my class asked why Lulu would pick this book. Lulu grew up in the Purple Cane Community of Nebraska which was largely populated with Scots who had immigrated to Nebraska in the 1870’s and 1880’s to be cattle farmers. Lulu’s father, James L. PADEN’s grandfather immigrated from Ireland to Maryland by 1798. But like my grandfather and his mother never lost sight of their Scottish roots. My grandfather was a great admirer of Robbie Burns and my great grandmother notes in her diary that she is reading Sir Walter Scott’s “The Lady of the Lake.” So that through line reaches out to me. Now as I prepare my trip to Scotland, a pilgrimage is planned to the grave of Henry DRUMMOND. Henry never married nor had any children. However, his book binds 4 generations of my family together through his words of love.

To be continued…

“The meaning of things lies not in the things themselves, but in our attitude towards them.” — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Deciphering our past Part 3 : FGC53429+ DUKES & NOBILITY IN FRANCE

Posted on May 30, 2026 Leave a Comment

Introduction

In this chapter we switch our focus from the parent SNP FGC22501 to a specific sub-clade SNP FGC53429+, but still with our eyes on the Sun Wheel symbol. Our target area for FGC53429+ on the map above is in Gallia Belgica. This map show the early Celtic Tribes of about 200 BCE. The previously mentioned Ad(t)uatuci Tribe in the middle top. I have added the areas of early La Tène Boii concentration about 450 BCE [green outlines]. The FGC53429+ descendants were bishops and hereditary episcopal nobility of Reims, Trier, Verdun, Metz, Laon, Cologne, Utrecht, Lincoln, St-Davids, Durham, Bruges, and Antwerp. Is it possible that they were descendants of the Ad(t)uatuci and later the Suessiones Tribe that each had versions of the Sun Wheel on their coins?

The following is the timeline of FGC22501 to FGC53429. In essence traveling form Bohemia to Belgica about 574 current age.

R1b>U152>L2>FGC22501 appears to have originated in Bohemia about 2200 BCE [As above]
R1b>U152>L2>FGC22501>FGC22538 originated about 2153 BCE
R1b>U152>L2>FGC22501>FGC22538>FGC22516 originated 1591 BCE
R1b>U152>L2>FGC22501>FGC22538>FGC22516>FGC22518 originated about 1585 BCE
R1b>U152>L2>FGC22501> as above FGC22518>FGC42117 originated 1469 BCE All the above likely staying in Bohemia
R1b>U152>L2>FGC22501>as above FGC22518>FGC42117> FGC42109 originated about 998 BCE perhaps beginning to migrate
R1b>U152>L2>FGC22501>as above FGC22518>FGC42117> FGC42109> FGC53429 originated about 574 CE in Belgica.

Symbols of Power

Symbols reduce the infinite complexity of the world or the universe into manageable, recognizable pieces, allowing for immediate understanding. They are effective in branding and recognizing, power, authority or affiliation. They are evocative and have the capacity to move people, acting as catalysts for passion, belief and sometimes action, as in a holy war. So might an ancient Sun Wheel be both an external and internal symbol used to identify in this case both secular and spiritual power. From ancient Celtic seers to later marquis? Heraldic designs came into general use among European nobility in the 12th century. Systematic, heritable heraldry began at the beginning of the 13th century. But before that we see the Sun wheel still in use in Anglo-Saxon coins 690-715. Although difficult to piece together this early symbol dating back as far as the Royal Game of Ur 2600-2400 BCE we can see the Sun Wheel symbol. The Wheel itself is invented about 3500 BCE. The Domestication of the horse perhaps around 2200 BCE on the Eurasian Steepe. In many ancient traditions the sun god or goddess is responsible for pulling the sun across the sky each day via horse and chariot. Those who can understand and explain the powers of god and the universe are both revered and feared. They co-opt the power of the gods.

Due to the extensive work of Vanessa Van der Beke we have found that the 5 or sometimes 3 annulets [rings] are frequent symbols appearing on the Blason (Coat of Arms) of families and places associated with FGC2253429+. Is this a coincidence? Almost all arms with annulets belong to marquess [episcopal nobility]. (However, not all marquess have arms with rings / annulets). There were many places and families in France and elsewhere having arms with rings. Vanessa was able to connect them to the palatine counts (episcopal counts) of the Carolingians and their successors. A sampling below.

Ornes Coat of Arms 10 Miles North of Verdun

Timeline

100-57 BCE Aduatuci coins minted with 5 annulets
57 BCE Dispersal of surviving Aduatuci after their conquest by Ceasar
140 CE Vicus Beda (Bitburg) founded. Bitburg was stopping place for travelers from Lyon through Metz and Trier to Cologne.
400 CE End of Roman rule & takeover by Frankish Tribes
690-715 CE Frisian Sceattas Anglo Saxon coins minted with 5 annulets
715 CE Frankish Castrum Bedense (Bitburg) became the capital of the Bidgau (Bitburg province)
720 CE, the noble Frankish woman Bertrada founded an abbey in Prüm, close to Bitburg and Trier
768 CE Charlemagne made Prüm his personal abbey with possessions in Belgium, the Netherlands, France & Germany with 300 monks
795 – 855 CE Lotharius I, King of Lorraine was buried in the abbey of Prüm . The abbey of Prûmh had a villa in Erdorf near Bitburg, which belonged to vassals of the counts of Vianden who had arms with annulets. Erdorf’s coat of Arms had 5 annulets
Count Wigeric(k) From 915 or 916, he was the count palatine of Lotharingia. He was the founder of the House of Ardennes. He died 9 July 953 He married Cunegonde of the Carolingans
Count Gerald (Gozello) of Metz (911-942/3) married Oda of Saxony (905-965)
Bruno the Great (925-965) his brother Otto I appointed him Duke of Lorraine.
Van der Beke arms and the arms used by the military commanders and masters of accounts from the duchy of Bar from the former duchy of Lorraine, Arms 5 silver annulets on a red field [see above]
c1147 Geoffroy de Vienne et de Louppy with Arms with 5 annulets, gold on red field [see above]

Background on the Noble Titles

Following the collapse of the Holy Roman Empire the Merovingians were the ruling family of the Franks c481-751 who established the largest and most powerful kingdom in Western Europe. They followed the Roman laws and were served by mayors of the palace who liked weak kings so they could increase their own power and territory. Until one of them grabbed the highest power and became king himself and ancestor of Charlemagne creating the dynasty of the Carolingians.

Charlemagne (748-814) was King of the Franks from 768, King of the Lombards from 774, and Emperor of what is now known as the Carolingian Empire from 800-814. When Charlemagne became emperor he had one big concession: the imperial title belonged to the ancient Roman empire, so to continue it, he had to share it with the highest entity in Rome: the pope. The title of emperor belonged worldly 50% to the emperor and ecclesiastically 50% to the pope and the realm was called the Roman-German Empire. During his reign Charlemagne made great efforts on behalf of medieval education. Later the Ottonian emperors (919-1024) of the German or Saxon dynasties expanded them further, mainly through abbey and chapter schools. Children of the nobility, ministerials, and the wealthy attended these schools. Precursors to formalized noble classes were high-status clans, warrior elites, or landholding families before the standardization of hereditary titles. About 1250 in France the proto-nobility emerges before the introduction of marquis sometimes changed to: sire, prince, marquis, margrave, knight, page, esquire, or simply count (earl). In the medieval context, the Latin word ‘marchio’ meant among other things: marquis, margrave, marshal, but equally count palatine, episcopal count, accountant, chancellor, governor, diplomat, bailiff, or counselor.

By virtue of his ecclesiastical position, the Marquis or Margrave was usually educated in both secular and ecclesiastical law. In addition to guarding and defending the imperial or royal domain, the palace, and/or borderland, a Marquis was also frequently employed as a diplomat. A marquisate is the territory, domain, or rank held by a marquis, marquess, or marchioness. It could be an entire county such as Flanders or only a part of it like Vienne (le-château) in the county of Bar.
Furthermore, it could be a secular or ecclesiastical marquisate, in contrast to a secular duchy which contained multiple counties. In a modern context, a marquisate roughly corresponds to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a duchy to a Ministry of the Interior, both assisted by the Ministries of Justice and Defense.

A key element of Emperor Otto I’s (912-973) domestic policy was to strengthen ecclesiastical authorities at the expense of the nobility who threatened his power. So he filled the ranks of the episcopate with his own relatives and with loyal chancery clerks. As protector of the Church he invested them with the symbols of their offices, both spiritual and secular , so the clerics were appointed as his vassals through a commendation ceremony. The bishops had the right to appoint a temporary “count for life” (comte viager), theoretically subject to the authority of the bishop. These counts were selected from the noble family of Ardennes. Because of the duality of the imperial title their servants were equal : this meant a bishop and a king were equal, a duke and a count palatine (marquess) were equal. One holding the worldly power and the other the ecclesiastical power. They were always second : to the king of France, England, the dukes of Bar, the counts of Flanders. But as ecclesiastic equals they served as regents when the worldly emperor, king, duke, count was absent we replaced his authority.

The division of power between church and state, pope and emperor had serious consequences because everything needed to be divided. The emperor had kings, the kings appointed dukes (who controlled a whole territory ie.: Lorraine). The pope had bishops, the bishops appointed count palatines (seneshals who controlled border lands called marks, hence the name of margraves – mark counts – later changed into marquess). These margraves served also as episcopal counts protecting the bishoprics, when the bishop obtained worldly power from the emperor he became a countal bishop (Verdun) or a prince bishop like in Cologne, Utrecht, Liège and Durham. Over centuries the pope lost more of his power and the Roman-German empire changed into the German Empire.

If you look closely this coin contains the symbol of the Sun Wheel. It appears on coins from the Macedonian through the Byzantine Dynasties. it is a sign of power.

Emperor Constantine VIII (reigning 1025–1028) Histamenon

Case Study : van ver beke

At the time of the Dukes of Lorraine, beginning in 959, Upper and Lower Lorraine, the royal lineage of the House of Ardennes (Verdun) was a marquisate of the Holy Roman Empire vis-à-vis the Kingdom of France. Van der Beke, comes from the royal family of the House of Ardennes (Verdun), they also possessed, on the border between the Kingdom of France and the Holy Roman Empire, the count-bishopric marquisates of:

Moncel-lez-Lunéville for the Count-Bishopric of Metz.
Vienne (later Vienne-le-Château) for the Count-Bishopric of Verdun
Louppy (later Louppy-le-Château)
Chardogne for the Count-Bishopric of Toul, which they had acquired through investiture.
County of Voncq (possibly) next to the originally Merovingian palace of Attigny, which briefly served as a Christmas and summer residence under the Carolingians,

Map of Verdun 1910 CC Gallica Digital Library

Returning to the Blason (Coat of Arms) of the families and places associated with FGC2253429+ we see how the symbol was adopted by families and places alike. It reminds me of a family heirloom whose provenance has been lost to time but whose story can be read in its symbol. Or in this case the YDNA.

Episcopal counts like van der Beke made their titles hereditary and no emperor or king could intervene. The titles were open to either males or females so you could have a marquess and a marchioness. We see this in this text of the prince-bishop and count palatine Anthony van der Beke. The episcopal principality of Metz was a bishopric state of the Holy Roman Empire. This State is distinct from the diocese of Metz, founded in the 4th century, initially subordinate to the ecclesiastical province of Trier, over which the spiritual authority of the bishop is exercised, and which extends over part of the Lorraine area. The episcopal principality is for its part the set of territories (possibly disjointed) over which the bishop exercises the temporal power of a lord, disposing of high, medium or low justice depending on the case. The bishops of Metz, who initially came under the Duchy of Lorraine, obtained imperial immediacy as temporal lords of the episcopal principality in the 11th century, and were part of the college of ecclesiastical princes at the Diet of the Empire. In the 11th century, the influence of the Holy Roman emperors faded; the royal counts become dukes of Lorraine, while the bishops, residing on the spot, concentrated more and more in their hands the temporal power the exercise of which they delegated to their counts palatine; these become “episcopal counts. Verdun was part of the middle kingdom of Lotharingia and in 1374 it became a free imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire. The Bishopric of Verdun formed together with Tull (Toul) and Metz the Three Bishoprics, which were annexed by France in 1552.

The Sun Wheel does not belong to FGC22501 exclusively or its descendants— However following the DNA and this symbol shows a connection that does tell a story. We can never fully know the truth of a thing, but we can follow it deeply and perhaps get a richer view of history for doing so. This story may get further chapters as more discoveries are made. I hope it has whetted your appetite to dig a little deeper into your own stories.

And here’s where it came full circle. In part one I showed the Cross of St Cuthbert showing the familiar symbol . It happened to pop up on my Facebook feed. I sent the photo to Vanessa. She offered an explanation Anthony van der Beke (de Beck) was the bishop and chancellor of the Flemish count and the county of Flanders Seger. Van der Beke traveled with gold, emeralds etc as gifts from the Flemish count. This may be how the Cross of St Cuthbert makes its way to Durham Cathedral in 697 CE. We tend toward thinking people lived in isolation. They did not. Whether we want to draw discrete lines around countries, cultures, art or people—they will ever defy our attempts to hem them in. There is something in that which comforts me and my historical world view. We discover, we fashion we re-fashion. “There’s nothing new under the sun.” Remember that next time you pick up a dice—

PS. A couple of recent finds with a familiar pattern, both shields. The first is the famous Battersea Shield dating from roughly 350-50 BCE. And the newest a miniature shield at Cirencester which was actually the capital of the Dobunni tribe. It should be on display later this year at Corinium Museum in Cirencester.

More Exploration

First Horse Warriors (exploring the Botai culture of the Eurasian Steppe) and Native Horse PBS documentary NOVA: Season 46, Episode 9 2021
The Horse the Wheel and Language: How Bronze Age riders from the Eurasian Steppes shaped the Modern World. by David W Anthony 2007
Who We Are and How We Got Here: ancient DNA and the New Science of the Human Past David Reich. 2018
Celtic Art: Symbols & Imagery. Miranda Green 1996

Deciphering our past Part One: DNA to Decoration—following the trail of one YSNP FGC22501

Posted on May 24, 2026 1 Comment

Introduction

This blog post or what may be a series of blog posts is a collaboration of Vanessa Van der Beke and myself. She has done a lot of the heavy lifting research wise in often esoteric old texts. It has been an unexpected journey that I don’t think we could have ever imagined. You may wish to read some of the earlier posts on this page. To make a long story short my husband did a Full Genome Corporation Y Elite DNA test in 2014. In his sample a series of Y-SNPS (aka mutations) were newly discovered and named. They are FGC22500-FGC22550. The most important to our work was the SNP FGC22501. The R-U152-FGC22501: Celtic U152/L2/FGC22501 and subclades project was approved in October of 2015 and has grown to over 225 members nearly 11 years later.

At the time we had no idea where this SNP would lead us. We were very fortunate that the sequencing of ancient human skeletons led to an early match with one of the so-called Headless Roman Gladiators in the town of York, England. This individual known as 6Drif-22 was dated at about about 100-400 AD and back in 2016 this individual was the only ancient to share the SNP FGC22501 —his closest population affinity was with Belgium. Vanessa calls Belgium home and her family goes Van der Beke, comes from the royal family of the House of Ardennes with Wigeric’s son Gozlin (911–942/43) the dynasty’s ancestor and carrier of the FGC22501 SNP. More on that later.

Following the YDNA via YSNPS

The SNP path of FGC22501 is as follows roughly (TIMELINE within R1b):

M173 SNP c. 20,000 BCE
M343 c. 17,000 BCE R1b (very pervasive carried by over 110 Million men)
U152 c. 2700 BCE
L2 c. 2500 BCE
FGC22501 2450 BCE (the most recent discoveries may ous this date earlier)

The next discoveries that pushed us back from 6Drif-22 Roman age skeleton in York, England to an individual of the Únětice Culture from Jinonice , Prague 5, Czech Republic named I7202 dated 2200–1700 BCE. It is important to note that even at this early date Celtic tribes represented many different YDNA lines within the R1b umbrella. The core Western European subclade, splits into the two dominant branches: P312 and U106 . P312 (S116): Extremely is common in France, Iberia (Spain/Portugal), and the British Isles. These are the major subclades, with our own FGC22501 falling under U152>L2 .

L21 (M529): Common in the British Isles (Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany).
DF27 (S250): Dominant in Iberia and the Basque region.
U152 (S28): Prevalent in the Alpine region and Northern Italy, often associated with Italics and Celts.
U106 (S21): Prevalent in the Netherlands, Northern Germany, and Scandinavia, strongly associated with Germanic tribes

Although a subclade may be prevalent in certain areas other subclades are often well represented too. Humankind has been mixing it up for a very long time. So we have called FGC22501 a Celtic SNP but it has lots of company and going back in time it will be preceded with other cultures, not just Celtic. We got lucky and a few more FGC22501 skeletons were discovered within a 50 mile radius of Prague and representing somewhat more recent individuals from Radosevice cemetary dated c309-190 BCE named 21736 Hrobcice, I15951 Radosevice, and I14984 Radosevice. Then was added I18837 Széles földek, Hungary c320-200 BCE. And more recently we have 4 new individuals I38966, I39176, I39356, I39358 from the Karain Cave in Turkey. To place them in order of age see table below. So with these new samples we are able to reach back between 5000-7000 years just based on a YDNA SNP discovered originally in my husband.

Name	Location	Age	Period	Notes
I38966	Karain cave, Turkey	Details to be announced	?	FGC22501
I39176	Karain cave, Turkey	?	?	FGC22501
I39356	Karain cave, Turkey	?	?	FGC22501
I39358	Karain cave, Turkey	?	?	FGC22501
I7202	Prague 5, Jinonice, Zahradnictví, Czech	2200–1700 BCE	Bronze Age	Únětice Culture FGC22500
I14984	Radosevice, Teplice, Czech	330–280 BCE	Iron Age	La Tene; FGC22538 > FGC22516
I15951	Radosevice, Teplice, Czech	290-250 BCE	Iron Age	La Tene; FGC22538
18837	Széles földek, Sopron, Hungary	320-200 BCE	Iron Age	La Tene FGC22538> PAGES00073

Symbol of Interest: Sun Wheel or Halo Cross

Dating back over 4,500 years, the Royal Game of Ur was Excavated in the 1920s by Sir Leonard Woolley in the Royal Tombs of Ur (now Iraq). The rules of the game were lost for centuries but were deciphered by British Museum curator Irving Finkel from a cuneiform tablet from 177 BCE. This is the first know instance of a curious symbol that has been interpreted with many meanings. Here is a wikipedia photo From the British museum:

The blocks with five circles or annulets become an important part of our story. In many ancient civilizations, God was represented by the sun in the center. Frequently used representation in Middle Eastern, Celtic, East Roman, West Roman, Merovingian, and Holy Roman empires was a sun cross based on a vertical or diagonal representation of the sun with the spring and autumn equinoxes and the summer and winter solstices or even the cardinal directions.

Equinoxes as the 4 points around the sun.
Wikipedia Ta’oulunga cc

Many ancient peoples observed the power of the sun God in the heavens. This symbol is adopted in many cultures. Later the divine stewards obtained their sun-based sun wheel through investiture via the divine status of the kings. SO this symbol, together with DNA allows us to trace some very early connections. The same 5 circles are seen in a natural phenomenon called a Halo Cross.

Some early examples:

So various cultures adopted this symbol into their decorations. The wheel was very important to ancient civilizations. The clay wheel from Spišský Štvrtok (Slovakia) is an archaeological artifact from the Early Bronze Age (around 1700–1500 BC). These wheels were small not for use but found in burials. This drawing of one from STUDIA HERCYNIA XV PREHISTORY OF EUROPE AS SEEN FROM ITS CENTRE Czech lands from Paleolithic to the end of the La Tène period in European context by By Jan Bouzek pg 41. “The end of Middle Bronze Age brought also changes in religious ideas. At time that roughly corresponds to period of Akhnathon’s religious reformation and his worship of sun god Aton (14 th century B.C.) also in the north of Europe reform brings to the centre of religious interest Sun god and/or Sun hero. “pg 40

**Spišský Štvrtok** (Slovakia) Clay Wheel 1700-1500 BCE

Achaemenid Gold Plaque with Lions 6th C BCE

Next Chapter we will dive into why this symbol matters to FGC22501.

Writing About Yourself: The Blue Flower

Posted on December 19, 2025 1 Comment

I realized I never posted this before. It is a short, but true story about me. It is a relative narrow topic but it reveals volumes (excuse the pun). It avoids the general concerns about self revelation, and yet is still self revelatory. I offer it as an example of how to write about yourself, without it being too scary. It doesn’t matter what my skill is as a writer, or lack thereof is. The purpose is to leave something behind that would allow the reader to get to know you. Not the genealogists: birth, marriage and death image—but something more personal and alive.

If you choose to write your own story, and you aren’t comfortable with writing, try telling it to someone and recording it. Then transcribe and edit as you go along. It may be harder to write about yourself, but it’s worth it to those who come after you.

The Blue Flower

Judy and I shared a passion for books. During our high school years we would make weekly forays to the complex of red brick buildings which provided us with endless titles to feed our growing appetites. Although we lived in El Cerrito we quickly consumed its minimal fare and needed the more substantial offerings that the Richmond Public Library provided.

On our many pilgrimages to this sacred building we explored the worlds of forbidden fruit. Whether pouring over sidereal tables trying to plot our astrological charts or conducting comprehensive studies of the Kinsey reports, Judy and I sought answers. It was during these reconnaissance missions that we happened upon a most delightful way to expand our horizons. We made our way upstairs to the adult fiction stacks. Here one of us would close our eyes and be guided by the other to one of the many aisles, spun around and asked to pick a book without looking. Once selected we were required to read the selection, however dull, and report to the other on its worthiness. This was a magical process which yielded us such authors as Flaubert, Zola and Lawrence and undoubtedly many lesser ones which we quickly forgot.

On one such occasion, I selected a book titled “The Blue Flower.” It was written by Henry Van Dyke and had a most beautifully decorated cover. Inside were interesting colored plates and a series of short stories with intriguing titles like “The Blue Flower” and “The Story of the Other Wise Man.” I enjoyed this book so much that I went back for other titles by the same author, yet “The Blue Flower” remained my favorite. Eventually on a trip with Judy to a used book store in San Francisco I located a copy along with some companion volumes.

Years passed. One day while going through some boxes of memorabilia in my parent’s garage I stumbled upon a stained and yellowed page with the handwritten words “Carrie Ethel Henager From A.W. Dolphin Dec_1910.” Turning over the page I recognized the familiar color plate and the facing title page of “The Blue Flower.” Carrie was my paternal grandmother and she had died some years before from what they then called senility, but we now know as Alzheimer’s disease. I always felt connected to Carrie, but I did not know her when she was well.
The pages I had found were the frontispiece and title pages of the book that had subsequently been lost. Carefully I carried them to my parent’s house and I asked my father to look at them. He asked me where I had found them and casually told me that “The Blue Flower” was his mother’s favorite book! I was so stunned it took me a few moments to recount to him my own relationship with “The Blue Flower.” To this day my grandmother’s pages reside next to their counterparts in my copy of “The Blue Flower.” They stand as a testimonial to the often unrecognized connection we have with our past and to the moment when I came to know my grandmother Carrie through the book that we both loved.

As a post script, my paternal grandmother Carrie’s favorite Flower was Blue Flags or Iris. When my Dad was dying I took him a pot of Iris reticulata ‘Harmony’ in bloom. They were planted in my garden where they continue to flourish.

Please check the Family History Writing Tab at the top of the page for more posts about writing.

The Footnotes of History: Duane F Mosier as Witness

Posted on December 16, 2025 3 Comments

Most of us will never even make it into the footnotes. I was lucky that my Dad made it, not just once but many times. He was never famous but he had encounters with those who were. Billions of people living and dead are witnesses to history-making events or persons, but unless they wrote about it, or someone went digging, no one knows. An important aspect of family history research and writing is uncovering their witness. Particularly for many women men, exposing not only their contributions, but sometimes the successes claimed by others. I make no such claim for my father, but for many of you reading this—someone in your past was overlooked and someone claimed there work as their own. This could be their artistry, writing or research claimed by another or in the case of slaves or immigrants simply acting as if their work meant nothing.

General Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr.

**Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr.** 18 July 1886 – 18 June 1945) Brigadier General of the US Army

This first story, a humorous one happened when my Dad was about nineteen. This is from an interview about my Dad’s service in WWII and his first meeting of Gen Buckner, nicknamed Bucky. Bucky was born 18 July 1886. He graduated from West Point in 1908.

“Sometime after re joining the 2nd Marine Division on Saipan, the Division was reviewed (in full field transport packs with all their gear) by Lt. General Simon Bolivar Buckner, Commander of the Tenth U.S. Army, who would be in command of the Okinawa operation. The General escorted by the usual entourage of descending rank, strode through rank after rank, stopping now and then to examine an individual marine. In the hot sun it seemed like forever before he would swiftly pass through our section and we could relax a little, but No! The General stopped in front of me. My right arm whipped my M-1 Garand toward present arms, but my left hand hung limply at my side, the circulation in my left arm cut off by the field transport pack. The butt of my M-1 continued on an outward path right to the General’s groin. He was felled to the deck! Each member of the entourage in turn passed the question down the line until finally my platoon sergeant stepped to my side and queried ‘What happened?” I replied, “My arm went to sleep”. Then the General, in pain struggled to his feet. The word passed back up the entourage to the General who nodded and ordered me to fall out and remove my pack. “(D.F.M. 1996)

“The second one also involves Bucky. In mid-May, General Buckner specifically requested that the 8th Marines be returned to Okinawa. The general had originally inspected the 2d Marine Division in the preceding February and had been favorably impressed with the combat-tested 8th Marines. He gave particular praise to the battalion commanders. General Buckner was later quoted as saying ‘he had never before has the privilege of meeting such an alert group . . .’”(A Brief History of the 8th Marines by James Santelli pg 48)

My Dad wrote:

“On the 18th of June the Eight [Marines] relieved the Seventh and drove rapidly southward, establishing an observation point on a ridge overlooking the remaining Japanese held territory. It was here that I was sent, carrying a message to Colonel Wallace the Regimental Commander. It was also here that Lt. General Simon Bolivar Buckner found himself observing the ground yet to be won. After delivering the message and awaiting a reply for several minutes, I returned down the steep trail about thirty yards when a barrage of artillery shells punished the rocky point that I had just left. Continuing down the trail I returned to the Command Post of the 1st Battalion 8th and learned that the Lt. General had been killed. The second time I had been a few feet from him with disastrous results. (D.F.M. 1990)”

The last picture of Buckner (right), taken just before he was killed by a Japanese artillery shell.

Tokyo Rose

I have already written about my Dad’s involvement in the Tokyo Rose Trial here. And here is the note of thanks he received from Iva Toguri D’Aquino. He just happened to have been asked to be a witness in a very famous trial for which the FBI had to later apologize. And for which “Tokyo Rose” received a pardon from President Gerald Ford

Element 102

After the war my dad went to the University of California at Berkeley under the GI bill. From there he graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1951. He went on to work for The University of California Institute of Engineering Research while he made application to the Federal Government and was hired by the University of California’s Lawrence Radiation Laboratory on Nov 1, 1951 as a Junior Accelerator Operator.

At this time he was working with the Nuclear Chemistry Division with world renowned scientists like Ernest Lawrence and Glenn Seaborg. The first announcement of the discovery of element 102 was announced by physicists at the Nobel Institute for Physics in Sweden in 1957. The next year in 1958 scientists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory repeated the experiment headed by Albert Ghiorso, Glenn T. Seaborg, John R. Walton and Torbjørn Sikkeland, used the new heavy-ion linear accelerator. After some controversy it was eventually credited to the Berkeley team and named 102 Nobelium after Alfred Nobel. Her is a snapshot my Dad took. I assume the AG stands for Albert Ghiorso. When I was a girl and even until my parents moved to Yountville my Dad had a Champagne Bottle with everyone’s names etched into it who had worked on the discovery. It also had a sheet of calculations in it. I am not sure who my Dad gave it to but it is lost to me.

My dad authored this paper in April 1959 which was sent to the Atomic Energy Commission.

SIR FRANCIS DRAKE: The Plate of Brass

In 1977 a Plate of Brass purported to have been left by Sir Francis Drake in 1579, was discovered in 1936. Supposedly left when Drake was anchored at what is know called Drake’s Bay in Northern California.

In July of 1977 Helen V Michel and Frank Asaro, friends and colleagues published their study “Chemical Study of the Plate of Brass.” They used neutron activation analysis to study the plate. They found it contained too much zinc and too few impurities to be Elizabethan English brass, while containing trace metals that corresponded to modern American brass. My Dad did the instrumentation and he is mentioned in the acknowledgments:

“A great deal of appreciation must go to Duane F. Mosier for many stimulating discussions

and his supervision of our electronic system.”

As a footnote my Dad died in 2000. In 2002 an account became public, that the plate was intended to be a joke among members of a playful fraternity of California history enthusiasts, the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus which originated during the 1849 California Gold Rush and was revived in the 1930s.

DINOSAUR EXTINCTION

There were lots of other research projects in which he was involved perhaps this is the most wide reaching. In 1980, a team of researchers led by Nobel prize-winning physicist Luis Alvarez, his son geologist Walter Alvarez, and chemists Frank Asaro and Helen V Michel, discovered that sedimentary layers found all over the world at the Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary contain a concentration of iridium hundreds of times greater than normal. The theory is that an asteroid fell in the Yucatán Peninsula, at Chicxulub, Mexico and that its impact 66 million years ago led to and environmental disaster that led to the Dinosaurs extinction. The event caused the extinction of all non-avian dinosaurs. Most other tetrapods weighing more than 55 pounds also became extinct, with the exception of some species like sea turtles and crocodilians. Still debated but largely excepted it is chronicled by Walter Alvarez in his book T.Rex and the Crater of Doom published in 1997. My Dad was responsible for building a “neutron activation machine that could achieve the necessary levels of precision.” When Life Nearly Died: The Greatest Mass Extinction of All Time Michael J. Benton 2003.

My purpose here is two fold, one to honor my dad and his contributions to his country and science. And to inspire others to go digging. It could be letters, diaries or objects hidden in an attic or in plain site. Some people are blessed with brushes with history. Of the top of my head I can think of only two other than Frank Asaro, Helen Michel and the other scientists I met through my father. As a toddler I sat on Governor Edmund G Brown’s lap about 1960 and I met Robert Redford on New Year’s Day over a decade ago while hiking at Lake Hennesey. However, I was too busy interacting with his dogs to note it was “Bob.” In fact all 3 women didn’t notice, and all three men in my party did. What untold stories should you be writing now?

Family History Writing: Telling Our Stories

Posted on December 15, 2025 2 Comments

Writing about oneself, especially in retrospect, is always a dangerous undertaking. Do you tell the truth and risk being seen in a bad light? Or do you soften the edges to make it more palatable? Will it be considered your own brand of narcissistic, revisionist drivel or worse yet will it mean a damn thing to anyone? Do you paint yourself as the hero or the victim? Or is it a bit of both. Will people think better it worse of you having read what you wrote? Is there an audacity in speaking for yourself? Perhaps, but I will claim it as my right to set the record straight. Albeit from my own biased perspective. It is the life I have lived, who better to describe and interpret it?

It seems that I judge my audience rather harshly in asking these questions, even if rhetorically. And so it goes. When I attempt to reconstruct the lives of my ancestors, I really want to know who they are. Not the sanitized, picture book stories of the past, but what were their thoughts and aspirations. What were their disappointments and struggles. How did they get through the hard times? This is not a curiosity that many share. Many are perfectly happy not knowing any of it. It’s not that they don’t care, it’s that digging any deeper might cause their carefully constructed fictions to spontaneously combust. My walls are built of tissue paper and some of theirs are stone.

Why put it down on paper? That answer is easy. Of all the ancestors that I have researched, including my parents and grandparents; my great grandmother’s diary, my grandfather’s letters and a transcribed interview of my Dad, speak with a clarity and authenticity of no other. Even Wills from hundreds of years ago speak with a precision that is impossible to duplicate. There is more of you in what you write than perhaps anywhere else.

So, where does that leave us? You and I can leave it up to posterity to figure out who we were or we can take the risk of telling it ourselves. At the end of the day we get to choose what we tell, and how we tell it— will it smack of fact, or fiction? Whether we write with precision, sterility, humor or horror pieces of us will slip through. My great grandmother’s diary—by the mere fact of choosing what to record, what matters to her, even when she doesn’t explicitly tell me how she felt— Whether it was which flowers she said were in bloom or when she wrote about visiting “her” special Bay Tree near Twin Peaks in San Francisco. She connected with me in those moments.

Of course our audience will shape how we write. Are we telling the story to or for ourselves? Are we apologists for our family? Or is our audience generations removed in the future and we are scattering bread crumbs that we hope might be helpful to someone else some day? Do we hope something will resonate in a world we cannot even imagine? Maybe simply organizing how we see the landscape of our life is helpful to our journey and perhaps someone we cannot even imagine.

So let’s get started. Some of us have written small pieces or maybe longer ones about ourselves. But for a moment let us imagine a descendant 100 years from now picking up our writing. What do you want them to know? That century is important, it lets vanity and criticism evaporate in the great scrap heap of time.

So here is the assignment: write a letter to a 4th great grand son or daughter, niece or nephew, or even a stranger that will tell them something that might help them understand what your life was life, or life in general is currently or in your past. What worried you for the future or informed you about the past. It’s a big ask—but think about it. Even if it takes awhile to come to fruition.

They Came to America: The Immigrant Experience

Posted on November 22, 2025 7 Comments

The loved ones we call the dead, depart from us and for a while are absent.
And then as if called back by our love, they come near us again.
They enter our dreams.
We feel they have been near us when we have not thought of them.
They are simply here, simply waiting while we are distracted among our obligations.
At last it comes to us: They live now in the permanent world.
We are the absent ones.

Wendall Barry

We had a conversation about the immigrant experience in the Genealogy Class I teach. I said I would put together some novels, movies and perhaps non-fiction resources. There are thousands of books and films that would meet this criteria. So this is a select, condensed list from some of the countries that are well represented in America. It is a work in progress. If I have missed some you would like included please message me or add to comments and I will review for addition.

Often novels paint a fuller picture of the immigrant experience; leaving their motherland for America and their new lives here. They may help us better understand our own ancestors journeys. Historical fiction, diaries, letters and non-fiction can help us flesh out our ancestors stories. I have found novels and diaries invaluable to my research.

AUSTRIA

Novels

The Exiles Return (2014) by Elisabeth de Waal
A Ritchie Boy (2020) by Linda Kass — Begins in 1938

Non-Fiction

Movie

The Sound of Music (1965)

CROATIA

Novels

The Cheesemaker’s Daughter (2024) by Kristin Vukovic
The California Immigrant (2019) by Barbara Anne King

Non-Fiction

Immigrant Daughter: Stories You Never Told Me (2019) by Catherine Kapphahn
The Croatian Immigrants in America: A historical study by George J. Prpic
Croatian Pioneers in America, 1685-1900 by Adam S. Eterovich that covers the early history of Croatian immigrants in the US.
Immigration of Ljubuški Croats to America: 1900 – 1914 by Ante Čuvalo

DENMARK

Novels

Kingdom Come and The Evening and the Morning by Virginia Sorensen a series of Mormon novels about Danish immigrants to Utah
A Merchant’s House by Kristian Ostergaard Danish immigrant life in early Omaha, Nebraska

Non-fiction

Tante Johanne–1887-1910: Letters of a Denmark Immigrant Family by Tante Johanne A compilation of correspondence from a Danish woman living in rural Iowa
Denmark to Dakota: The Story of a Danish-American Immigrant Family (2022) by Richard E. Klein
New Life: Danish emigration to North America as described by the emigrants (1994) by Niels Peter Stilling

Movies

The Journey to America Danish Immigrants TV documentary 3 part series

ENGLAND

**Mayflower, Replica at Plymouth, MA** ©2016 Kelly Wheaton

Novels

A Journey to the New World: The Diary of Remember Patience Whipple, Mayflower, 1620 by Kathryn Lask, The diary of a young Pilgrim girl who makes the dangerous journey on the Mayflower to America
Thee Edge of Lost by Phillip DePoy historical novel set in the early years of the Massachusetts Bay Colony
City of Dreams: A Novel of Nieuw Amsterdam and Early Manhattan Ist Book of 4 by Beverly Swerling

Non-fiction

Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford: A first-hand account of the Pilgrims’ journey & early experiences
Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War by Nathaniel Philbrick Historical narrative
The Great Migration Directory: Immigrants to New England, 1620–1640 — A Concise Compendium, 2nd Edition by Robert Charles Anderson
Puritan Pedigrees: The Deep Roots of the Great Migration to New England by Robert Charles Anderson
The Mayflower Migration: Immigrants to Plymouth, 1620 Robert Charles Anderson
Saints and Strangers (1981) by George F Willson
The Lobster Coast: Rebels, Rusticators, and the Struggle for a Forgotten Frontier (2005) by Colin Woodard About immigration to Maine
An Account of Two Voyages to New-England 1638 and 1633 By JOHN JOSSELYN, Gent.

Movies

American Experience: The Pilgrims (2015): A PBS documentary
The Pilgrims (2015): A TV movie that covers the Mayflower journey
Saints & Strangers (2015): A National Geographic miniseries

FRANCE

Novels

The Champlain Road (1939) by Franklin D. McDowell story of early French settlers in Canada, starting in the 1600s.
Daughters of the Deer (2022) by Danielle Daniel Starts in 1657
Bride of New France (2013) by Suzanne Desrochers

Non-Fiction

French Immigrants and Pioneers in the Making of America (2022) by Marie-Pierre Le Hir
When the United States Spoke French: Five Refuges That Shaped the Nation (2014) by Francois Furstenberg
Memoirs of a French Immigrant (2009) by Georges Henri Caron
French Fur Traders and Voyageurs in the American West (1997) by LeRoy R. Hafen
French Roots in the Illinois Country: The Mississippi Frontier in Colonial Times (2000) by Carl J. Ekberg

Movies

Acadie/Liberté: A 1993 docudrama

GERMANY

Diary of a Voyage from Rotterdam to Philadelphia in 1728

Novels

The Next Ship Home: A Novel of Ellis Island (2022) by Heather Webb
Tillie, a Mennonite Maid: A Story of the Pennsylvania Dutch, by Helen Reimensnyder Martin

Non-Fiction

From Württemberg to the New World: The 400-Year Journey of a Pennsylvania German Family (2023) by Bret A. Matz
Diary of a Voyage from Rotterdam to Philadelphia in 1728 Annonymous
Becoming German: The 1709 Palatine Migration to New York (2006) by Philip L. Otterness
A German-American Tale: Memoir of a German Immigrant (2017) by Annika Romero and Gustav Streckfuss
German Immigrants, American Pioneers: The Brunners of Schifferstadt (2019) by Patricia Ogden and Boyce Rensberger

Movies

Sweet Land (2005)
The German-Americans: 300 Years in the New Land (1983)
Hester Street (1975) focused on Jewish immigrants late 1800’s

GREECE

Novels

Daughter of Ruins (2024) by Yvette Manessis Corporon
Rain in the Valley (2005) by Helen Papanikolas

Non-Fiction

Greeks in America (1913) by Thomas Burgess
Small Bird, Tell Me: Stories of Greek Immigrants in Utah (1993) by Helen Papanikolas

Movies

The Journey: The Greek American Dream (2007)
America, America (1963): Directed by Elia Kazan

HOLLAND

Fiction

City of Dreams: A Novel of Nieuw Amsterdam and Early Manhattan Ist Book of 4 by Beverly Swerling
New York: The Novel (2010) by Edward Rutherfurd
Waves of Mercy: Dual Timeline Historical Fiction (2016) by Lynn Austin

Non-Fiction

Three Visitors to Early Plymouth by Altham, Pory, and Rasieres 1622-1627
Cruel Paradise: Life Stories of Dutch Emigrants (2018) by Hylke Speerstra
Netherlanders in America: Dutch Immigration to the United States and Canada, 1789-1950 (1989) by Henry Stephen Lucas
Faith and Family: Dutch Immigration and Settlement in the United States, 1820-1920 (2000) by Robert P. Swierenga

FIlms

New York: A Documentary PBS explores the Dutch settlement of New Amsterdam
New Netherland: The Early Years PBS

IRELAND

Novels

Even Small Birds Fly Free (2024) Pádraig O’Gorman
Saints for All Occasions (2017) by J. Courtney Sullivan
Out of Ireland (2023) by Marian O’Shea Wernicke
The Irish Girl (2024) by Ashley E. Sweeney
The Heart’s Invisible Furies (2017) by John Boyne

Non-fiction

Emigrants and Exile: Ireland and the Irish Exodus to North America (1988) by Kerby A. Miller ·
Angela’s Ashes: A memoir (1999) by Frank McCourt
Journey of Hope: The Story of Irish Immigration to America (2001) by Kerby Miller
The Forgotten Irish: Irish Emigrant Experiences in America (2016) by Damian Sheils
The Famine Ships: The Irish Exodus to America (1998) by Edward Laxton
The Lost Child of Philomena Lee (2010) by Martin Sixsmith:

Movies

Out of Ireland (1995): Documentary traces the history of Irish immigration to the United States
The Forgotten Irish (2002): A documentary about the lives of Irish immigrants who were forced to leave as children.
Philomena (2013) Based on the book

ITALY

Novels

Unto the Sons (2006) by Gay Talese
The Next Ship Home: A Novel of Ellis Island (2022) by Heather Webb
The Lies They Told ( July 29, 2025) by Ellen Marie Wiseman

Non-Fiction

Creole Italian: Sicilian Immigrants and the Shaping of New Orleans Food Culture (2018) by Justin A. Nystrom
La Storia: Five Centuries of the Italian American (1993) by Jerre Mangione
Growing Up Italian-American: The Memoirs of Ferdinand Visco & The Stories of Two Immigrant Italian Families (July 19, 2017) by Ferdinand J. Visco M.D.

Movies

Cabrini (2024) Story of Mother Francesca Cabrini, her work establishing orphanages and healthcare for the poor
Golden Door (2006), A Sicilian family’s journey in the early 1900s
Paesani (2022) documentary,mass Italian immigration to the United States between 1890 and 1930.

MEXICO & LATIN AMERICA

From JFK’s A Nation of Immigrants 1959 Public Domain

Novels

How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents (2010) by Julia Alvarez – Dominican
Into the Beautiful North (2010) by Luis Alberto Urrea
The Book of Unknown Americans (2015) by Cristina Henríquez

Non-Fiction

Homelands: Four Friends, Two Countries, and the Fate of the Great Mexican-American Migration (2018) by Alfredo Corchado
Even the Women Are Leaving: Migrants Making Mexican America, 1890–1965 (2023) by Larisa L. Veloz

Movies

Sin Nombre (2009) Honduran teenager and a Mexican gang member
Under the Same Moon (2007): A young boy in Mexico tries to reunite with his mother in the United States.
A Better Life (2011): An undocumented Mexican immigrant in East L.A.
El Norte (1983): A Guatemalan brother and sister flee to the U.S.
The Golden Dream (2013): A road movie about teenage immigrants journey to the U.S.

NORWAY

Novels

Across the Deep Blue Sea: The Saga of Early Norwegian Immigrants: by Odd S. Lovoll that chronicles the journey of early Norwegian immigrants through Canadian ports.
Grass of the Earth: The Story of A Norwegian Immigrant Family in Dakota: by Aagot Raaen Norwegian immigrant family in the Dakota territory.
Haymaker in Heaven (2022) by Edvard Hoem based on the author’s own family history
Westward We Came: A Norwegian Immigrant’s Story, 1866-1898: A historical novel focusing on the immigrant experience during this specific period.
The Follinglo Dog Book: A Norwegian pioneer story set in Iowa. (1999) Peder Gustav Tjernagel

Non- fiction

Norway to America: A History of the Migration: A historical account of the migration of Norwegians to the United States.
The Diary of Elisabeth Koren 1853-1855 (2015) trans by Davis T. Nelson
In Their Own Words: Letters from Norwegian Immigrants: A collection of letters that provides firsthand accounts of the immigrant experience.
Norwegians on the Prairie: Ethnicity and the Development of the Country Town: A book by Odd S. Lovoll that explores the development of Norwegian-American communities.
Nothing to Do but Stay: My Pioneer Mother (1993) by Carrie Young set in North Dakota

Movies

Utvandrarna (The Emigrants) (2021): A Norwegian-Swedish drama about Swedish emigrants traveling to the United States in the 1840s, based on Vilhelm Moberg’s book series.

POLAND

Novels

We Were the Lucky Ones (2018) by Georgia Hunter
The Daughters (2015) by Adrienne Celt

Non-Fiction

The Polish Peasant in Europe and America (1996) by William Thomas and Florian Znaniecki
Polish Immigration to America: When, Why, How and Where (2016) by Stephen Szabados

Movies

The Fourth Partition (2013) Poles to Chicago in the late 19th century
Sophie’s Choice (1982) explores the life of a Polish immigrant in post-WWII Brooklyn

RUSSIA

Novels

A Russian Immigrant: Three Novellas (2019) by Maxim D. Shrayer:
My Ántonia by Willa Cather: this classic American novel features a significant storyline about Bohemian immigrants in the American Midwest
A Prison Camp Guard’s Story and The Compromise, by Sergei Dovlatov
The Russian Debutante’s Handbook by Tom Rachman a novel about an American of Russian descent who moves to Prague to uncover his family’s history.

Nonfiction

Red, White & New: Tales of Young Russian Americans (2021) by Ariel Kirman A collection of short stories
A Mountain of Crumbs (2011) by Elena Gorokhova

Movie

Moscow on the Hudson (1984)
These Russian Immigrants Filmed Their New Life in America (2020)

SCOTLAND

Novels

A Place Called Freedom (2019) by Kent Follett Scotland, 1767
Outlander 10 books (1992-2026) By Diana Galbadon
Smoke on the Wind (2025) by Kelli Estes
A Wild and Heavenly Place (2024) by Robin Oliveira

Non-Fiction

Colonists from Scotland: emigration to North America, 1707-1783 (1972) by Ian Charles Cargill Graham
Scottish Emigration to Colonial America, 1607–1785 (2004) by David Dobson
Scotch Irish Pioneers: In Ulster And America (2019) by Charles Knowles Bolton

Movies

Outlander TV Series (2014-2026)
Voices Over the Water (2025)

SWEDEN

Novels

The Immigrants, (1995) by Vilhelm Moberg’s also a movie
Honoring Anna (2018) by Douglas Hof multi novel series begins in Sweden
Swede Hollow (2020) by Ola Larsmo
O Pioneers (1913) Willa Cather

Non-fiction

Swedish Exodus: The History of the Swedish Emigration to North America (1996) by Lars Ljungmark
The Old Country and the New: Essays on Swedes and America (2006) by H. Arnold Barton
Letters From the Promised Land: Swedes in America, 1840-1914 (1980) by H. Arnold Barton:
I Go to America: Swedish-American Women and the Life of Mina Anderson (2012) by Joy Lintelman
Swedes in Minnesota (People of Minnesota) (2004) by Scott G. Christianson and E. Paul Erickson: Swedish immigrant experience in Minnesota

Movies

The Emigrants (1971) and its sequel The New Land (1972),

OTHER Countries

The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline England to Australia
The Costumier’s Gift (2019) by Vicky Adin Part of a series,multi-generational family saga New Zealand
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao (2008) by Junot Díaz — Dominican
Roots: The Saga of an American Family (1978) by Alex Haley — Africa
The Joy Luck Club (2006) by Amy Tan — novel of 4 Chinese Immigrants to San Francisco
Homegoing (2017) by Yaa Gyasi novel of 8 generations from the Gold Coast to the plantations of Mississippi

Please note as I add more resources I may be able to give more countries their due. I began with countries I have researched or represent those in my classes.

Changes in Genealogical DNA Testing

Posted on November 5, 2025 Leave a Comment

Back in 2005, Francis Collins in his book The Language of Life: DNA and the Revolution in Personalized Medicine predicted that DNA testing for health was on the horizon within 10 years and that your doctor would routinely order DNA tests for you. That hasn’t happened as quickly as he thought, but companies like 23andme built their databases by offering medically relevant Direct to Consumer (DTC) DNA testing. 23andMe has a database of about 13 million and overall the top 4 companies: Ancestry DNA, 23andMe, My Heritage, and Family TreeDNA have over 53 million test kits. Some of those may overlap so roughly 40-50 million people have done DTC DNA testing.

My Heritage and Family Tree DNA and Gene by Gene

Several things have piqued my curiosity of late. As announced in 2024 “Family Tree DNA has been a valued partner and friend of My Heritage for well over a decade. Notably, since the launch of My Heritage DNA in 2016, Family Tree DNA’s in-house lab, Gene by Gene, based in Houston, Texas, has provided My Heritage with our DNA processing services.” And furthermore “Family Tree DNA customers can transfer their family trees to My Heritage, and to continue building them on My Heritage. Family Tree DNA users can now easily transfer their family trees to My Heritage for free, after providing consent on both Family Tree DNA and My Heritage.” More recently My Heritage announced in October that is was Upgrading Its DNA Tests to 2X Whole Genome Sequencing to be carried out by Gene by Gene. And then just days ago Family Tree DNA announced 30X Full Genome Sequencing. “The All-in-one bundle includes your genome data, health analyses, and reports” for $379 on sale. Not quite the $99 WGS testing that was anticipated a few years ago but getting closer.

The above collaboration and new offerings may be a sign of the health of these two companies under Gene by Gene. And their pivot to Health offerings is intriguing. I wonder whether at a future date their may be options to combine them. Who knows?

23andMe

Meanwhile in March 2025, 23andMe filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and announced that the company was planning on selling substantially all of its assets. So its long term status is in question. Who will acquire the assets and will the data still be available to testers? Your guess is as good as mine. One of my favorite features at 23andMe was their Chromosome browser. No word on if it may come back. If sold would the genealogy component just be a casualty? So for now I can’t recommend 23andMe due to a high level of uncertainty. Sad because it has about 13 Million testers.

Ancestry

In 2019 Ancestry offered AncestryHealth® their vision “was to empower people to take action to address potential health risks identified in their genes and family health history.” Then in 2020 they suspended that offering and returned “to deepen our focus on family history, including AncestryDNA®, which remains an important part of our commitment to family history.” Ancestry has over 25 million tested and although the lack a chromosome browser are among the easiest to use especially for those already with a paid Ancestry subscription. It is also among the most expensive.

It looks like Ancestry’s focus will stay toward genealogy which is good news. It has the largest database of historical records with over 30 Billion. My Heritage has a bit more focus on International Records and has about 20 billion records.

Family Tree DNA

For now FTDNA remains the best place for YDNA and mtDNA testing if you plan on looking for matches. The shifting landscape of DNA test is hard to predict. Ancestry offered YDNA tests years ago and then abruptly stopped in 2014, as they pivoted to atDNA tests only. The earliest YDNA tests at FTDNA were 12 marker test whereas today a 37 Marker test is generally considered a minimum.

Recommendations

People always want to know the best company to test at. That depends on your reason for testing.

If you already subscribe to Ancestry or MyHeritage, testing atDNA is a no brainer especially at sale prices starting at $29
Chromosome Browsers are included at FTDNA, MyHeritage and Living DNA
A nice feature of 23andMe and Living DNA is they give your broad mtDNA , and if male: your YDNA Haplogroup
FTDNA is the project based place to test YDNA, both YSNPS and YSTRS
MyHeritage may bring more European matches for those with recent ancestry from Europe or Israel
Living DNA has a strong emphasis on UK testers that may appeal to those with recent UK ancestry
Full sequence mtDNA, with matching, is at FTDNA
FTDNA & Living DNA allow uploads from other companies

Given sales this month especially around Black Friday, you could test at Ancestry and MyHeritage for less than $70 and upload to FTDNA and swim in all 3 ponds. If you return your MyHeritage in 2026 you will get 2X WGS!

Where it all ends up in a few years—who know? In the meantime databases grow and prices come down. The Ancestral origins continue to be refined. Whether they are improved each iteration is widely debated.

Writing Challenge: Choose Your Own Adventure Genealogy Style

Posted on September 19, 2025 Leave a Comment

First crossroads. Heaven, hell or purgatory. Your choice.

Second crossroad. Which ancestor will you choose?

Third quest. You will have 20 minutes to come up with a list of questions to ask your chosen ancestor. This may be a brick wall ancestor and your first question is where were you born? Or who were your parents? Or it might be a parent or grandparent that you forgot to ask important things and this is your second chance. It’s your ancestor, your questions. For the purposes of this exercise assume that they are willing to answer you and that they are up to speed with where the world is today. [Trying to ask questions within the confines of the time period they lived could be a second more challenging option].

Once you have your list of questions you can proceed in one of two ways.

Have someone else ask you the questions and you respond. That is you assume your ancestors identity and wing it. Guess, surmise or just plain make it up.
The second option is to do this with yourself. Assume both identities and have a conversation and record the results.

Why this exercise? To get your creative juices flowing. To think more deeply about your ancestor and what you would like to know. To get you started on crafting a reasonable story for them and perhaps giving you some insight into where to look.

SAMPLE QUESTION IDEAS TO PRIME THE PUMP:

What color are your eyes?
How did your propose to —-?
How did you fell when you arrived in —-?
What was your favorite color?
Who was your favorite ancestor and why?
Did you have a favorite book or author?
What was the biggest trouble you ever got into?
When did you first vote?
Where did you learn your trade?

Feel free to share your questions or how this worked out for you in the comments.

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A Genetic & Genealogical Forest

INTRODUCTION

DAVID DICKSON

GLASGOW

BUSBY

Introduction

Symbols of Power

Timeline

Background on the Noble Titles

Case Study : van ver beke

Introduction

Following the YDNA via YSNPS

Symbol of Interest: Sun Wheel or Halo Cross

The Blue Flower

General Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr.

Tokyo Rose

Element 102

SIR FRANCIS DRAKE: The Plate of Brass

DINOSAUR EXTINCTION

AUSTRIA

CROATIA

DENMARK

ENGLAND

FRANCE

GERMANY

GREECE

HOLLAND

IRELAND

ITALY

MEXICO & LATIN AMERICA

NORWAY

POLAND

RUSSIA

SCOTLAND

SWEDEN

OTHER Countries

My Heritage and Family Tree DNA and Gene by Gene

23andMe

Ancestry

Family Tree DNA

Recommendations

SAMPLE QUESTION IDEAS TO PRIME THE PUMP:

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