A Genealogy Coding System

      After just a few years into all this genealogy stuff (now 62 years), it became obvious that a coding method would be helpful. Can you imagine how many John Jones there were in my Jones surname family tree? How to keep all these folks separated...generation after generation...and organized in a way to find anyone when it was time to piece together some of the tree branches. Since I am about to begin my own Jones surname family tree, explaining the method developed in the Y-chromosome transmission would be of assistance. Let's begin with the first three generations of my family as shown in the last post of February 27th. Here is that part of the branches as demonstrated.

     Now the first step was to code each generation of the family tree beginning with the founder (first in line as far back as one discovered). Using the English alphabet capital A-Z, each generation could be labeled and placed in chronological order for 26 generations.  Then, the letter "J" was used to label each individual as belonging to the JONES surname. Thus, for the first generation each family member would be identified "JA"...second generation "JB"...third generation "JC"...and on down the line. Next, each member would be given the number (#) as they were being discovered, such that the first grandfather would be coded "JA-1". His wife would be "JA-2" since you would not be here if each "JA-1" did not have a "JA-2"! When grandfather two (maternal side) was identified, he would be coded "JA-3" (wife JA-4) meaning they were in the first generation (A) and the 3rd and 4th individuals to be named. The second generation would be coded "JB", third generation "JC", and on down the line until "JZ" would be the 26th generation. Using the figure drawn above, first in line was Gadforch (JA-1) with wife's name undiscovered (JA-2). Their son was Ynyr (JB-1) with Rhiengar (JB-2). Their son was Tydyr (JC-1) with Anghard (JC-2) as shown. Down the line you can go, in structure and concept, even though each family member might not be identified by name. Give this method a go using your own family tree with what ever your surname. Just begin your coding with the first letter of your line of descent.

Say What

      The post of February 15th showed in vivid color the family tree of my own Jones surname beginnings. "Say What!" you might be thinking, but this post connects this family tree to my own. Here it is using the same color code:

      It connects through the very little known genealogy that Hywel Dda had a daughter named Anghard. She was named after her own great-grandmother. [Top row green lady married to Rhodri Mawr.] The blue, orange, green colors follow each down the family tree to Elen [red colored lady] who brought Dyfed into the picture. Now it was Welsh law that the female joined the kindred of the husband, and she became a legal participate of her new kindred. She was joined to the tribe of Tudor Trevor (JC-1) which has much recorded as a tribe of the Marches. This marriage is listed by Nicholas Vol. I, p.451 and shown below:

      Here in the green marker is listed the daughter of Howel (Hywel) Dda and her marriage to Tudor Trevor. Of course this genealogy has much more to say for my own Jones surname, but this is just the beginning and, there are a lot of branches down the family tree.

Nicholas, T., Annals and Antiquities of The Counties and County Families of Wales, London, 1872.

      In the front page it states "All Compiled By Direct Visitation Of The Counties, And From Reliable And Original Sources".

      Say What!

 

      My two volume set shown above was reprinted by the Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, 1991.

A Very Helpful Reference

       Reading the last post from a genealogist's point of view, you recognize the difficultly involved putting this family tree together. Going back in history is problem enough, but you had all the relationships to sort through. The following shows the cover of the major resource which has been used many times to help grasp the branches of this topic. It has been especially useful to one separated by a great pond since my branch changed their place of abode in 1649. This reference written by Mike Ashley in 1998, contains a delightful approach to all sorts of traditional and well documented folks. It organizes British kingdoms from the Roman invasion until Elizabeth II. 

       North Britain begins the listings with Coel Hen ("Old King Cole") p. 95. [Bless his merry old soul] Next is Southern Britain (England south of Yorkshire) p, 108, the South-East and South-West p. 113, and then begins my place in the world with Welsh Kingdoms p. 121. The following territories are listed:

                                                               Gwent & Glywysing p. 121

                                                               Ceredigion p. 130

                                                               Demetia & Dyfed p. 134

                                                               Venedotia & Gwynedd p. 139

                                                               Powys & The Marches p. 149

                                                               Gwerthrynion & Buirth p. 156

                                                               Brycheiniog p. 158

                                                               Meirionydd p.160

                                                               Dunoding p 162

                                                               Erging or Northern Gwent p. 162.

   Then come the Picts & Scots pp.164-192. and the Saxon Kingdoms pp. 208--323. There are multiple genealogical tables. The fight for Britain and the uniting the Kingdoms follow pp. 323-708. Can you believe it? A very helpful reference indeed.

 Ashley, M., British Kings & Queens, Barnes & Noble Books, (originally published as The Mammoth Book of British Kings and Queens, Carroll & Graf Publishers, Inc., 1998.

         

                                                                                    

All In The Family

      The years between 800 A.D. to 950 A.D. demonstrated the development of many changes among the tribal groups that had clustered together each having their new languages, legends, and traditions. Recognized districts were formed aided by mutual support among the kindred groups. The map that was shown in a previous post (3rd January 2023) has been colored coded showing the major territories as they became called by those who occupied and maintained control of the land. Take a look.

     Gwynedd (colored blue) was generally considered the most stable and prosperous having the highest point (Snowdonia at 3560 ft.), a protected food supply (Mon), and a special religious history dating from the Druids (Holyhead Mountain).

      Powys is colored orange, and had the longest border facing eastward against all comers. It was basically the front door to the mountains, and lots of folks came knocking.  

      Ceredigion and Ystrad Tywi (called Seisyllwg at first) is colored green. It was protected by mountains from those coming from the east, and the sea gave support on two sides.

      Dyfed is outlined pink and almost surrounded by sea. The Irish had a few things to say along the way.

      All this discussion has been given so that a backdrop and context might be helpful in understanding the importance of my own Y-DNA. It was during this column of time that my family had its roots. The following figure matches the color coding shown above. It was the line of descent and marriages that formed the multiple family trees that seem to have survived.

      In 825 A.D., Merfyn became the ruler of Gwynedd (his line shown in blue).  He married Nest the daughter of the ruler of Powys (colored orange). Then, Rhodri (by line of descent) when his father died in 844 A.D., became chief of Gwynedd. Then, 10 years later his uncle-in-law died in 855 A.D., and by marriage (thru his mother) Rhodri could claim ownership to the lands of Powys. Thus, Rhodri (by line of descent and marriage) became the leader of both districts, Gwynedd in 844 A.D. and Powys in 855 A.D. It was also during this time that Rhodri married Anghard of the line of Seisyllwg (outlined green). Some 16 years later it was his brother-in-law Gwgon that died, and Rhodri became chief of  Seisyllwg. Man, how do you like this family tree? The genealogy virus within wanted to see if this family tree could be sorted. 

      Now Rhodri died in 877 A.D., and his son Cadell, had a son named Hywel, who married Elen of the line of Dyfed. Through this marriage Hywel (the grandson of Rhodri) came to rule Dyfed (colored pink). It was the daughter of this Hywel that married into my direct line of male descent. Wow, my own Jones surname way down the line. But hey, it was all in the family.

Halls of Time

      My copy of Noah Webster's First Edition of American Dictionary Of The English Language, first published 1928, gives one definition of genealogy "2. Pedigree: lineage; regular descent of a person or family from a progeniture" p. 90. The text named The Law of  Hywel Dda thought to be written around 900 A.D. states:

      "Whosoever wants to claim land by kindred and descent, let him show his pedigree as the stock from which he derives; and if he is there as fourth man he is a proprietor, for it is as fourth man that a person becomes a proprietor." (p. 104) 

      This quote is taken from the book written by Dafydd Jenkins from his translation of the law of Hywel Dda published 1990. (see post dated 4th April 2022) Now, before the laws were collected and written, the genealogies were transmitted from one generation to the next by singers (bards), by rhyme (poets), and by stories (reciters). These folks were responsible for preserving the genealogies of the proprietor that was putting food on their plates. To recall the noble ancestors was a standard of behavior their society expected. An excellent discussion of Welsh genealogies is found in the book edited by Meic Stephens titled The New Companion to the Literature of Wales, p. 260-261. (see post of April 4th 2022) While climbing out my own family tree, the following drawing (one of my favorite) was found.

       I had to chuckle, by an Edward Jones from his musical in 1784. [My middle name is Edward] Harp in hand, here stands the muscular appearing bard ready to cast down his song upon those below. What a deal! My own Jones genealogy echoes down these halls of time. 

      

By Kindred and Descent

      To live another day is generally considered a good idea. My Welsh ancestors took a number of suggestions from their Celtic ancestors, who had a number of years to learn along the corridors of life. Fables to traditions were collected and passed down to the next generation. Claimed land became part of this survival technique, and the first of the family to occupy successfully the geographic area often became the founding father of the family. As the family grew in numbers, future rights to occupy the homeland became more significant. The father-kin and mother-kin defined the right of inheritance and placed one into a kindred group responsible for the care and advancement to the next generation.  Your rights and place to sit around the table, and sleep beside the fireplace, all came into play. How one related to their kin group became more and more important for the successful living to another day. Your name became the method to accomplish this task. This name was given to you by the elders of the family; you know, the grandfathers and granduncles, and all those folks who had authority surrounding your existence. Named after your father, who was named after his father (your grandfather), who was named after his father (your great-great grandfather), who was named after their father, on and on to the ninth generation. All in the family knew this descent, and who belonged to your kindred. As discussed in the last post of January 3rd, by 800 A.D. the land had pretty much been claimed and named by a number of different kin groups. This arrangement produced a host of problems since the land boundaries were poorly defined. An individual named Rhodai ap Merfyn Frych found his way into this arena by claim of kindred and descent. He also married into this dynamic situation. The following figure shows his descent. More to be said about this fellow.

                           Taken from The Jones Genealogist, Vol III, no.6, 1991-1992, p.5

Yet To Be Called

      Around the same time period my Celtic ancestors were trying out their new language, they began to name the places they identified and claimed as their family's land. Who made these decisions and why is often a mystery.  Anyway, the Romans were the first to name the tribes who's land they invaded, because they wanted to record by name their conquest of victory for the glory of Rome. To help recall the names given to these tribes, and to place the approximant geographic locations of these folks, the following map is shown.

 

      The Deceangli and Cornovii Celtic tribes are the origin of my family tree. Old Oswestry hillfort is shown to be the geographical connection [land bridge] between these family groups. Many prior posts discuss this arrangement. The next map shows the early names given to these same areas.

     Gwynedd and Powys seem to be the best connected to the same Celtic tribes. Thus, my family tree begins in the northern most part of this land yet to be called Wales. [Please see posts beginning 17 February 2022.]