The First Story

This is the first story I will tell about my family tree.

My Current Writing Project

THE TITLE OF THIS CURRENT WRITING PROJECT AND BLOG POST SERIES:

The Story of a Family Tree: The epic saga of a family told in short stories of historical fiction, science fiction, romance, drama, and creative nonfiction


A DESCRIPTION OF THIS CURRENT WRITING PROJECT AND BLOG POST SERIES:

This blog's current writing project and blog post series is about the stories of my family tree told in historical fiction, from science fiction to fantasy, and is about: Joseph Arimathea to King Arthur, Charlemagne to Nero, Queen Elizabeth I to Sir Walter Raleigh, Roanoke to Jamestown, Signers of the Magna Carta to the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary War to Civil War to World War II, and everything and everyone in-between to today. This is a different way to learn history.

The Short Stories of My Family Will Begin Tomorrow (and a Disclaimer)

I am pleased to announce the short stories of my family will begin tomorrow.

This good news is followed by a but, however.

DISCLAIMER

Each blog post will not be perfect. In fact, they will be far from perfect. They will have some errors and will need some work. By the time they make it to this blog, I will be on the third or forth draft at least with each blog post, but they will still need a great deal of polishing.

I do not want to put the final drafts on this blog. Rather, it is meant to be a sampling to peak your curiosity to read the stories in their entirety, once I edit them and add more material to them and publish them in book format. Also, I will not include every story here on this blog, but many.

THE PURPOSE OF THESE SHORT STORIES

The purpose of this blog is to give a sampling of the stories of my family tree stories and to share a more comprehensive history of the United States of America and about the founding fathers and mothers, starting in 1584.

Additionally, I hope they will inspire you to find out about your own family stories and write about them as well.

RESEARCH

I cannot believe how much time it takes to even attempt to thoroughly investigate each piece, each bit, of history. Never mind about my family. I'm talking about just a date or an event that happened in history. This is what is zapping up most of my time right now. That being said though, I cannot even begin to tell you how fascinating it is and how much I am enjoying the research. Now, I hope I can convey the important details in a fascinating way, but still keep things true to the time, people, places, and events.

STAY TUNED

So, stay tuned. Tomorrow will bring the first short story of the Family Trees of the USA and the Lost Colony of Roanoke.

The Stories of the Lost Colony of Roanoke

Last week I went to a writing conference and was able to focus my vision for my writing and this blog. Hence, the book title mentioned in the image above. It is just a working title at this point.

The Stories of the Lost Colony of Roanoke:
The Family Trees of the USA

I have decided to write the history of the United States through the eyes of my family, which had been here since 1607 in Jamestown. I will share the stories first in blog posts, which will be short stories and a combination of American historical fiction and creative nonfiction. Then, in time, I will combine the stories and put them into a book.

It's an unique way to learn American history, which is appealing to me. After all, I hated history in school. It was before I knew about my family tree. Knowing my family's stories changes the way I view this country and the way I view my life today.

The stories could take me a few lifetimes to tell, but I will try to capture the most intriguing stories in this blog and in my writing. They are the stories of the names we all recognize, but also of the commoner, which has the most appeal to me personally.

This will be an epic saga of my family and their plight in the United States from Roanoke Island to today. The stories will be of adventure, drama, love, patriotism, and faith. It will be a sweeping tale and will take us across many lands, events, times, and families.

I am in the research phase and it will be a couple of weeks before I share a short story here. I will share with you my writing process and progress, though, in the meanwhile.

I am researching in order to find out about the people from my family tree I want to share first, along with the events and the state of the families of the individuals I will write about for the first book in this family tree series.

Then, I will start planning how to write the short stories and how to fit them into a novel.

Then, I will write them and do several edits before they are shared on this blog.

Therefore, at first, I imagine I will start here only one short story per week for a while, then two, then three. In time, I hope to build up to at least three per week.

Bear with me as I make sure to get their stories right. They deserve no less, the people and their stories.

The sweeping epic story which traces a family in the USA from the year 1607 to today

A NEW BEGINNING

I have decided to share the facts of history through my family's story. I will not just list the facts any longer. Rather, I will tell them through the medium of story... through short stories.

This will be highly based on the facts of history, first and foremost. However, in order to learn these facts, the best way we can learn them is through story.

Every story is sacred. The story of an individual. The story of a family. The story of a nation. They are all holy, set apart, and are sacred. Hence, they should be shared so we can all learn from them and see how others live and have lived.

Hence, I have written a new blog description.

A NEW BLOG DESCRIPTION

This is the epic story which traces a family in the USA from the year 1607 to today. Their tale will be shared through the medium of short stories of American historical fiction and creative nonfiction. The family is mine, by the way. Hence, this is a true story. (I will share some thoughts and tips on how to do your family tree as well.)

So, stay tuned. The stories will be shared soon.

1560-1569 Timeline

Note: I will keep adding to this, so please make sure to check back here periodically.

1565

1565 Sir Richard Grenville married Mary St. Leger.

My Story of Starting My Family Tree: Inspiration for beginning genealogists and those who need inspiration

I began researching my family tree out of curiosity, after years of not being interested in it whatsoever. I had no idea whatsoever what I was doing. I was beyond clueless.

I have always been the type that figures things out, mostly accidentally. This family tree and genealogy business has been no exception.

It is rather funny. Professional genealogists have been stumped by portions of my family tree, which I have accidentally stumbled upon the answer. So, I am quite blessed and unfortunate, though is has nothing to do with any skill on my part, but on dumb luck, thanks to the grace of God.

If you want to do your family tree, or are, keep digging. Don't give up. And, make searching online and opening up most every link you find. It's been through looking at the links I didn't think would help me at all that have filled in a missing piece.

Read every link online all the way through. You may think most of what is written junk. But, I guarantee there is at least one nugget of good information in most blog posts.

Think of yourself as a private investigator and an explorer. Grab your spyglass and hat. Then, grab your hiking gear and go wandering. Look at other family trees. Look everything up online through an online search. Keep digging. Act like an archaeologist.

Keep the excitement of adventure.

And, then you will grow your family tree.

And, not only that, history will become alive to you and will be a quite exciting and thrilling adventure.

This is what I have done and keeps off the pressure. It makes it enjoyable, not the type of hitting your head against the wall activity.

Online Research

As I research my family tree, and as I research and write this blog, I do extensive online research.

Every name

Every place

Every date

Every event

I look up all of those online and I try to learn as much information as possible as I go. And, I always ask myself the question as I do online research for genealogy and my family tree is:

Who are they, what happened, when, why, and what was their life like?

Then, I follow up with: What does that mean for me, and for us, today?

I will try to include links as I go for now to help you to do your own research as well.

Oh! I forgot to mention. With every place, when online I enter the place name and hit search. Then, I look at the map and at images, as well as at the websites and blogs about the place. I like to picture it as much as possible. It helps me picture it and remember it. It also makes history come alive for me.

It does require enormous amounts of time, though, doing as thorough of research lone as possible. But, it is quite worthwhile.

This is how I do things. I hope it helps.

To all Genealogists, Professional or Dabbler: Let's form a community

For anyone else working on a family tree, I hope this blog might inspire you.

I also hope we can get to know one another and share hints, tips, and resources on how to do make our family trees. We can also ask questions as well, which is probably the most helpful, and we can all share our responses and help one another. I could sure use any tip you have. And, I figure, we are all in this together. Let's inspire one another and help each other.

Please add a comment to the comment form on this blog, on the right hand side of the page, email me, and/or add a comment at the end of any blog page.

I would love for us to start a community here, where we can ask questions and offer tips and resources.

Cannot wait to hear from you.

My Family

I also write this blog, and share all of this, with the hope it will help my family (anyone on my family tree, direct relation or indirect) to get to know our history and American history.

I hope my family will find these stories, fact and short stories based on fact, helpful to imagine what our family went through in the day.

Therefore, if anyone knows any true stories, I hope you'll share them so I can in turn share them here. Use the contact form on this blog, email me, or add a comment at the end of any blog post.

I also help we can help each learn as much about our family as possible.

Every person lived and should be remembered, along with their stories. This is the goal of this blog and my writing.

What Am I Doing and Who Am I to Do It?

As I sit here this morning, after everything I did yesterday, and after starting this blog five days ago, and I have developed butterflies and nervousness.

What am I doing? And who am I to do it anyway?

I am not a historian. Not in the least. History was my worse subject in school. Then again, twelve years of leaning about the explorers could do that to anyone. Never kind all of the false history I was taught. For instance, I was taught that Plymouth was the first English colony and that Thanksgiving began there. Both are lies. Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement and the first Thanksgiving was at Berkeley Plantation. Both were in Virginia, let me add. Never mind how I was never taught that Virginia was the birthplace of the United States of America. But, the only reason why I know these things is because I lived in Virginia for four years (and visited the historic sits at least once a month) and because of my family tree.

But, no. I am no historian. My degrees are in psychology and chaplaincy, for goodness sake.

So, what am I doing? I am so far out of my league it isn't funny. Who am I to do it? Probably most everyone is far more qualified than I am to write this blog.

Nonetheless, I realize not everyone has a traceable family tree that goes back as far as mine does and they don't have the same ancestry I do. My family tree makes me uniquely qualified to write about my family tree.

But, the historical part... I am scared of erring and of not learning enough, never mind sharing enough. Then, I also am fearful of sharing too much. I sure don't want to bore anyone to pieces.

Then, to complicate things even more, I am attending a writing conference this week and will present this idea and learn more how to write these stories. No pressure. It's all self-imposed pressure, I realize. Am I on track? Am I doing what God really wants me to be doing?

I find sharing the facts a little on the dull side. But, that is what I need to do first. Then, when I write the short stories, there is a background to the story, so it makes even more sense. This is the ultimate goal. I will use short stories of historical fiction to help us go there and see it for ourselves in our minds and imagination. I hope to make history come alive and help us remember the facts, not opinions, of American history.

Yesterday, though, felt great with everything I accomplished. Learning and sharing the facts can be a slight bore, but it wasn't yesterday. In fact, it pumped me up and got me excited for what is to come and my writing short stories of historical fiction based off of my family tree.

I pause.

Yes. This blog is what I am supposed to be doing, regardless of how intimidating and how insecure I feel. This blog is one big homecoming where I learn about my family and the history of the country I love.

Since I leave tomorrow for the writing conference, I pray I am able to get even more done than I did yesterday.

Bear with me dear and precious readers and friends. I will find my way and my rhythm of writing this blog.

Writing this blog is sure stretching me. I am far outside of my comfort zone. However, while it makes me feel horribly uncomfortable and nervous, not wanting to get it wrong, it is not unbearable and I will not try to avoid it. The best things in life come from times of uneasiness and fear. It's what we do with them that counts. I am going to to keep at this no matter what.

Learning history from my family tree will make history come alive and will help me make sense of my nation today and will help me speak out about it. It will also help me pray for my nation.

Leaning, though, is never a fruitless activity. And, I sure love to learn. I cannot wait to see what all I learn. Even though I still wonder... What am I doing and who am I to do it?

Thomasine Cole

Thomasine Cole is a distant ancestor on my family tree.

Thomasine Cole was the wife of Sir Roger Grenville, who died in 1545. He was the captain of the ship, "Mary Rose," which sank in the Portsmouth Harbour.

Daughter of Thomas Cole of Slade.

Thomasine remarried Thomas Arundell.

1590-1599 Timeline

Note: I will keep adding to this, so please make sure to check back here periodically.

1591

1591 Sir Walter Raleigh or Ralegh married Elizabeth Throckmorton in secret. She was one of Queen Elizabeth the First's ladies-in-waiting. They did not have the queen's permission and because of this, both Walter and Elizabeth (his wife) were sent to the tower of London.

September 10, 1591 Sir Richard Grenville died near the Azore Islands. He died from wounds sustained in a battle at sea with Spain. He was 49 years old.

1594

August 1594 to March 31, 1603 was the Nine Years' War (Gaelic Irish Chieftqins vs. England). It's also known as Tyrone's Rebellion.
1594 Sir Walter Raleigh or Ralegh heard the reports of a city of gold located in South America. He sailed off to find it, but didn't, and he exaggerated his experiences, which led to the myth of El Dorado.

1540-1549 Timeline

Note: I will keep adding to this, so please make sure to check back here periodically.

1542

June 15, 1542 Sir Richard Grenville was born in Bideford, Devon, England.

Sir Richard Grenville

Sir Richard Grenville is a distant ancestor on my family tree.

Also known as Greenfield, Greynvile, Greeneville, tec.

June 15, 1542 Sir Richard Grenville was born in Bideford, Devon, England.

September 10, 1591 Sir Richard Grenville died near the Azore Islands in the Battle of Flores. He died from wounds sustained in a battle at sea with Spain. He was 49 years old.

Sir Richard Grenville was the heir and eldest son of Sir Roger Grenville (died in 1545) and Thomasine Cole. His father died in 1545 when Richard was an infant while he was the captain of the "Mary Rose," which sank in the Portsmouth Harbour.

The Grenville family were lords of the manors of Stowe, Kilkhampton in Cornwall and of Bideford in Devon, England.

His mother remarried to Thomas Arundell. He was of the Clifton Arundell House. This was where Grenville spent a great feel of his childhood.

Grandfather of Sir Bevil  Grenville (1596-1643).

Sir Richard Grenville was the cousin of Sir Humphrey Gilbert and Sir Walter Raleigh.

He served in parliament from 1562-1563.

When he was 21, he inherited his grandfather's Estates in Buckland Abbey in Devon, Bideford, and Stowe, Cornwall, England.

He married Mary St. Leger in 1565. She was the daughter of Sir John St. Leger and was then an heir to her brother.

Grenville and family lived at Buckland Abbey 1575-1576 (MORE RESEARCH NEEDED ABOUT THESE DATES.). See these links:

1 http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/buckland-abbey

2 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckland_Abbey

3 http://www.britainexpress.com/counties/devon/houses/buckland.htm

4 https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g315961-d584741-Reviews-Buckland_Abbey-Yelverton_Dartmoor_National_Park_Devon_England.html

5 http://www.cider-house.co.uk/index.php

6 http://www.indrakeswake.co.uk/Society/Research/buckland.htm

7 http://www.devonmuseums.net/Buckland-Abbey,-Garden-and-Estate/Devon-Museums/

In 1585, Sir Richard Grenville acted the Admiral of a fleet of seven ships which brought English settlers to form a military colony on the island of Roanoke.

Look at these links about Roanoke Island and colony:

1 http://www.roanokeisland.com

2 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roanoke_Island

3 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roanoke_Colony

4 http://roanokeisland.net

5 https://www.outerbanks.org/outerbanks-the-lost-colony/

6 https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60755-d108283-Reviews-Roanoke_Island_Festival_Park-Manteo_Roanoke_Island_Outer_Banks_North_Carolina.html

7 https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60755-d143137-Reviews-Fort_Raleigh_National_Historic_Site-Manteo_Roanoke_Island_Outer_Banks_North_Carolin.html

8 https://www.nps.gov/fora/index.htm

9 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Raleigh_National_Historic_Site

10 http://www.outerbanks.com/fort-raleigh.html

See The Lost Colony of Roanoke for more information at this link on this blog:

http://familytreesoftheusa.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-lost-colony-of-roanoke.html

He served in the Royal Navy of England. His rank was Admiral and he held command of "Revenge." He served in  these battles and war: Second Desmond Rebellion, Anglo-Spanish War in 1585, Battle of Gravelines, and Battle of Flores in 1591.

Where is his birthplace of Bideford, Devon, England? See these links:

1 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bideford

2 https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g190807-Activities-Bideford_Devon_England.html

3 http://www.devonguide.com/bideford

4 http://www.bideford-tc.gov.uk/your-history-and-our-friends/bideford-history/town-history

Queen Elizabeth I

She was the Queen of England and Ireland.

She is also known as: Elizabeth of England, Elizabeth of Tudor, Elizabeth Tudor, The Virginia Queen, Good Queen Bess, and Gloriana.

Lived September 07, 1533 to March 24, 1603. She died when she was 69 years old.

Reigned November 17, 1558 to March 24, 1603.

Coronation date (when she took the throne) was January 15, 1559.

April 28, 1603 is when Queen Elizabeth I  was buried at Westminster Abbey.

Her parents were: King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.

Her royal lineage: She was from the House of Tudor.

Her religion: She was Anglican.

Her mother, Anne Boleyn,  was executed when Elizabeth was two and a half years old. Anne's marriage to Henry VIII was annulled and Elizabeth received a declaration of being illegitimate.

She did not have any children.

1550-1559 Timeline

Note: I will keep adding to this, so please make sure to check back here periodically.

1552

January 22, 1552 or 1554, Sir Walter Raleigh or Ralegh was born in Hayes Barton, East Budleigh, Devon, England.

1554

January 22, 1552 or 1554, Sir Walter Raleigh or Ralegh was born in Hayes Barton, East Budleigh, Devon, England.

1558

November 17, 1558 is when Queen Elizabeth I began her reign.

1559

January 15, 1559 is the coronation date of  Queen Elizabeth I.  This is when she took the throne.

1530-1539 Timeline

Note: I will keep adding to this, so please make sure to check back here periodically.

1533

September 07, 1533 is when Queen Elizabeth I was born.

1538

November 17, 1558 Sir Humphrey Gilbert was born.

1600-1609 Timeline

Note: I will keep adding to this, so please make sure to check back here periodically.

1603

March 24, 1603 is when Queen Elizabeth I died. She died when she was 69 years old.

August 1594 to March 31, 1603 was the Nine Years' War (Gaelic Irish Chieftqins vs. England). It's also known as Tyrone's Rebellion.

April 28, 1603 is when Queen Elizabeth I  was buried at Westminster Abbey.

1603 Sir Walter Raleigh or Ralegh was imprisoned in the Tower of London because he was involved in a plot against King James I.

1606

1606 Sir Walter Raleigh received the high honor of being one of eight who received Letters Patents by King James I. This particular patent was to establish two colonies: the Plymouth Colony and the London Colony.

December 1606 Captain Christopher Newport of the London colony (aka the London Company) set sail.

1607

May 13, 1607 Captain Christopher Newporthe reached the Chesapeake Bay. Jamestown was founded.

May 31, 1607 Sir Walter Raleigh and George Popham of the Plymouth colony  (aka the Plymouth Company) left from Plymouth, England.

August 01, 1607 Sir Walter Raleigh and George Popham arrived in what we now call Maine. Many colonists died that winter there. MORE INFORMATION NEEDED HERE.

Just the Facts, Then the Stories

I think you will see as I write this blog, and its blog posts, I'm going to first share the historical facts. Then, I will write the biography of each of my ancestors. Then, I will write the short stories of historical fiction of several of my ancestors.

This is the process of how I have decided to write this blog, where I'm learning, and have learned, American history through my research of my family tree and doing the genealogy.

Thank you for your patience as it takes time to set up the historical background.

The good news is I am compiling a who's and what's what informational index, encyclopedia, and dictionary in the process. It's an all you ever wanted to know about American history blog, told through the lens of my family tree and some short stories in historical fiction.