GENEALOGY n. The tracing of descent from ancestors; alternatively, a particular account of such tracing for a specific individual or family. In the English-speaking world, all those who take up this pursuit announce sooner or later that they can trace their descent back to Edward III. This should surprise no one with a rudimentary knowledge of mathematics; there are probably one or two well-bred basset hounds who could also trace their descent back to Edward III. What is really surprising is that Edward III seems to be regarded as some kind of ultimate antecedent beyond whom the genealogist does not venture, even though anyone descended from Edward III is also descended from his father Edward II, and so on. The author can guess only that the prudery of the late Victorian age (when genealogy became a family pastime) chose to draw a veil before the memory of Edward II in view of the sybaritic Plantagenet’s bisexual reputation and appalling death (see impalement).— Peter Bowler, The Superior Person’s Book of Words.
Was that writer trying to be witty? Edward II was notorious as a homosexual, and might have been murdered for that reason.
Yup. I checked and there he is. But I was happy to go back further.
Edward III is supposed to be my 18th GGF. In that line so far, I’ve gone back to Henry II. Robert the Bruce is supposed to be my 20th GGF. Most of the interesting connections (Mayflower, settlement of New Amsterdam, French & Indian War, Revolutionary War, etc.,), plus royalty, and nobility, are from my mother’s side of family. She was born in Canada. My father was born in Holland, and came to the U.S. with his parents, and his two brothers. They were mostly farmers, and laborers...no nobility on that side of the family, and very few connections farther back.