My family tree up at Rootsweb. It leads back to Ireland, Wales, England, Germany, and other European countries as well as my multiple Colonial American roots. My most recent ancestors came to America from Mountbellew, County Galway, Ireland and Barvaria in Germany. The remainder have been in America for a long time. I am a direct descendant of 3, yes, THREE Mayflower Pilgrims - Edward Doty (through my great-grandmother Mary Doughty/Doty) on one side and the other two on the COLE side - Stephen Hopkins and his daughter Constance Hopkins who was also a passenger on the Mayflower. Sarah Palin shares the same ancestor in Stephen Hopkins, making us cousins with Sarah. (Woo hoo! yes I do like Sarah Palin). And also of Margaret (Stephenson) Scott who was hanged as a witch during the Salem Witch Trials (she was my great x8 grandmother) and of Lady Godiva (Godgifu). I have almost 9,000 people in my family tree in this Rootsweb tree (19k on Ancestry) and I am related to many interesting people including Lizzie Borden, the late Princess Diana (through three different lines) and also her two sons Princes William and Harry, and other members of the English Royal Family (House of Tudor and Windsor), General George Armstrong Custer, Poet Emily Dickinson, many American Presidents including John Adams, Ulysses S. Grant, Bill Clinton (William Jefferson Blythe III), George Bush, George W. Bush, a few First Ladies including Abigail Smith Adams. Nancy Davis Reagan (She was born Anne Frances "Nancy" Robbins), a few U. S. Supreme Court Justices including Roger Brooke Taney and David Souter, Senator Robert Joseph "Bob" Dole, British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, author Laura Ingalls Wilder, astronaut Alan Bartlett Shepard, Philo Farnsworth (the inventor of television), and many actors including Clint Eastwood, John Wayne, Lucille Ball, Raquel Welch, Elizabeth Montgomery, James Arness, Peter Graves, Henry, Peter, Jane and Bridget Fonda, and Bette Davis. Although, most of my direct ancestors were hardworking everyday people: teachers, merchants, farmers, planters, ministers, coopers, inn-keepers, tavern-keepers, etc...a few made it into some history and various other published books :)
The first thing that comes to the mind of others when I mention that I'm descended from Lady Godiva is her naked ride through Coventry. The historical Lady Godiva was a devout Catholic Anglo-Saxon noblewoman. Both she and her husband Leofric (Leofric III, Earl of Mercia and Lord of Coventry) were generous benefactors to many religious houses. They founded and endowed a Benedictine monastery at Coventry. In the 1050's, her name is coupled with that of her husband on a grant of land to the monastery of St Mary, Worcester and the endowment of the minster at Stow St Mary, Lincolnshire. She and her husband are commemorated as benefactors of other monasteries as well - at Leominster, Chester, Much Wenlock and Evesham. Lady Godiva's rosary hung round the neck of the statue of the Blessed Virgin at Coventry. The current Queen Elizabeth II of England is also a direct descendant of Lady Godiva as well.
A Rose's Kiss: The Legacy of Rhoslefain Abbey Chronicles I by Joy Ann Harber
Book Description - Ruffian Bardougne just spent the last six months fighting for King Edward II. Though mortally wounded, by a twist of fate, he was brought back. All he wants is to resume his old life, and to win the hand of the girl he left behind. But what he returns to is anything but familiar. Tessa MacLure has grown into an independent woman. And it seems the very foundation of Sedgemoor is being rocked by forces unseen, but foretold, by those who inhabited the land 100 years before. What happened to the settlers who built Rhoslefain Abbey? No traces exist except the stone chapel, which was left unfinished. Ageless faith battles ancient superstition in the Realm of Dundrennan, in the year 1309. Join two families as they uncover their connection to each other, the land, and to the elusive brotherhood of the 33 Messengers.
About the Author -
Joy Harber makes her home in rural Indiana with her husband Roger, and children, Patrick and Shelby. She is the author of 24 published poetic works. She is a public library director whose main interests are writing and genealogy. This is her first novel. You may contact her at theendofthebook@yahoo.com
You are listening to An Irish Blessing from Roma Downey's CD
Healing Angel
You may view all items and projects related to Roma Downey here.
Previously playing on my page: Prayer (From "Hansel and Gretel") sung by Heather Reazin. The Spinning Wheel from Catherine McKinnon's CD
Voice of an Angel.
Last updated July 2015
Darling Irish cows!
Anna A. Kasper - Irish Angel Creations
