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Family Legends--Fact or Fiction?

© Deanna Corbeil

In your conversations with family members regarding your family's history, you may have come across some pretty wild tales. Family legends and myths abound and, unless checked for their veracity, can hamper your family history research.

The most common type of family myth is the "Royal Legend." Somehow or other, your Great Aunt Jo asserts, your family has descended from a duke or princess of some royal line. Most people, in their good sense, would dismiss this kind of myth as the nonsense it usually is. But you would be most amazed at the thousands of dollars some folks will spend to find that elusive (nonexistent) ancestor. There are a couple of principles to remember when faced with this type of tale. If you are a citizen on the North American continent, you can be reasonably certain that your ancestors were not pet subjects, or dear relatives, of His or Her Highness. Secondly, if you really are a descendent of one of the royal rascals, it will probably come out through careful, detailed research. (As an aside, it is fascinating how so many Americans, citizens of a country that once threw off the yoke of royal tyranny, are now so eager to be blue bloods.)

A second type of family myth is the "my great-great-grandfather knew so-and-so(insert the name of a famous historical figure)legend." This sort of tale reveals our continuing fascination with fame and celebrity. It makes us feel more interesting or even more important if one of our ancestors hunted with Daniel Boone, or handed the thread to Betsy Ross as she sewed the American flag.

Lots of other types of family legends exist. Among these are the "Lost Riches" myths. You know the type. If only Great Grandpa Smith hadn't bet the whole family fortune on that poker game, we would own South Fork today. Sure you would.

Before we go any further, it is important to know that not all family legends are myths. You may actually be related to Queen Elizabeth by some circuitous familial route, or your great grandfather may have tromped the woods with Daniel Boone. You may even be able to reclaim your family's lost fortune. But when you hear these sorts of tales, it is important to remember the basics of any good family history research. When in doubt, check it out! Always check and double-check your sources. As is true in much of life, just because someone says it, doesn't mean it is so.