Still Standing

     A great-grandson wrote his "family tree" the standard way it was to be described in around 750 A.D.  Written in Latin, what could be read by 1662, was translated into English:

      "Concenn was the son of Cattell,  Cattell the son of Brohcmail, Brohcmail the son of Eliseg, Eliseg the son of Guoillauc. Concenn therefore the great-grandson of Eliseg built this stone to his great-grandfather..."

       Written in Welsh, the family tree would be Concenn ap Cattell ap Brohcmail ab Eliseg ap Guoillauc. Stated to the fifth generation, the family tree was the standard necessary to be identified and accepted by your kindred. This would have been especially true if it was to be written on a stone column some 20 feet tall for all to see and agree. Hum, a genealogy recorded as described in the last post dated December 19th. This form of genealogy (kindred) was your name, and stating it legally and correctly to the great-grandfather, protected you and your rights among the many kindreds that surrounded your family. This identity was necessary for your survival, protection, and inheritance. This naming protocol continued until other social groups took control by ways of war and conquest, demanding their own naming system to be used. Unlike the standing stone of Eliseg that remains, the legal naming system of my Celtic ancestors has fallen. What remains of this proud column is shown below.

      

      A detailed description can be found in Annals and Antiquities of the Counties and Families of Wales by Thomas Nicholas, Vol. I, p.388, first published London 1872. The Latin inscription as translated in 1662 is given. A good description can also be found on page 36 of Heritage in Wales by David Robinson, first published 1989 by Queen Anne Press.