Sea, Land, and Rivers

       It took a while for me to realize that my Y-chromosome had been on the Island since its early days.  Say what?  How did the Celts sail (or row) the sea to get on this Island?  Well, believe it or not, the Celts knew how to handle the sea.  The text which describes this skill is found in The  Celtic World edited by Miranda Green, first published 1995.  Evidence for Celtic boats and ships can be located in chapter 15, pp. 254-277, titled "Celtic Seafaring and Transport" by Sean McGrail.  It seems that logboats could handle the sea and carry 6 tons while on the way. That would be around the weight of 3 small cars made today.  Guess this would be able to bring one's family and pack a good size suitcase.  Anyway, the Celts could get to this new land by the sea.

      The land that was to become my ancestor's home must have had its own set of headaches.  Just imagine, you would need fresh water, fresh food, shelter, and protection from everything, and everyone who might not like you showing up on their land. There would be no "Welcome" signs awaiting.  Maybe some flat land that could grow things like barleycorn.  The land around this sea seems flat enough, but lots of other folks might come to question who we are.  Besides, no real firewood and building stuff for our shelter. Let's look further about and see what is available. Hum, up this river seems a way to go since fresh water and fresh food could be obtained along the way. 

 Upriver would certainly lead us higher into the hills, and maybe give us some high ground which would be easier to defend and protect.  Even higher ground might show signs of metal like copper, zinc, and lead. Who knows we might find a perfect place for both.  We will need land for plowing, seeding, grazing, building, hunting, fishing, and lots of trees for firewood and building.  We might even find some of our own folks up there which to join, and they might teach us some ways of this new land.  The river then it is.

      The following figure shows the sea, the land, and the rivers as they relate to my ancestor's story.

      Where we started and ended on this land surrounded on three sides by the sea, and almost cut off from any land connection by the rivers, is yet to be told.