I have been intensely researching my ancestry for the last eight months. At first I was simply interested in discovering the origins of the paternal Cress and Vinyard lineages. It wasn’t long before I realized that the real key to ancestral understanding is in the maternal lineages. Rather than linear ribbons of ancestors one after another, I discovered a fabric of intersecting lineages in Scotland, Wales, England, Scandinavia, and France stretching back to the Early Middle Ages.
I was amazed how many times I would develop separate Cress and Vinyard maternal lineages and find myself intersecting Clan Bruce in 13th-century Scotland.
of Robert the Bruce, who is my 20th great-grandfather on both sides of my family.
It’s important to note that those of us who can trace our American immigrant roots back to the 17th-century migration of families from Britain will most likely find similar ancestry. At this point I have collected more than 14,000 individuals related to my ancestral past. I am simply amazed at what I have discovered.
The revelations of my research has compelled me to begin an ancestral narrative to pass along to my grandchildren. It is important to embrace your pantheon of ancestors for your own life of discovery.