Book Review: The Book of Lost Names

Heroes in real life don’t wear masks and capes. Sometimes they don’t stand out at all. But real heroes can save a life—or many lives—just by answering the call in their heart. ~Victoria Arlen

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks: Water

It is Week 14 in the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks’ writing challenge. And trust me when I tell you, this week’s writing prompt, Water, was much harder than I first believed.

I thought about the men in our combined families whose professions were on the water. However, as I had previously written about the mariner men in our families’ trees, I needed another option.

I then considered the surname Water or Waters. Surely, with 12,000+ people in our combined families’ tree, there must be at least one Water/Waters within the branches. There was not. Really?

At this point, I was at a loss and had no clue about whom to write. I needed an idea…fast, so I went back to our ancestors’ list and perused the names again. Suddenly, a wave of inspiration washed over me. Instead of limiting myself to Water/Waters, maybe I should cast a wider net: What about “bodies of water” surnames instead?

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Book Review: All the Flowers in Paris

As a family historian, I endeavor to breathe life into my ancestors by telling their tales. Taking aged documents, diaries, letters, and photographs, I try to recreate my predecessors’ realities, using our words and my imagination. Everyone has a story to share.

Book Review: Dearly Beloved

In between Shakespeare and statistical analyses, Austen and annual reports, I indulge in historical romances. I especially relish reads whose heroines are spirited, steely-spined, softhearted survivors. And when it comes to strong women, author Mary Jo Putney always delivers.

Joan of Valois

My genealogical researches have uncovered dozens of devout ancestors. This is the ninth installment of a series of posts titled “Doing God’s Work: Our Families’ Faithful”, documenting the lives of those who served God.

In the previous post of this series, I discussed the life of Marie of Brabant (my 23rd great-grandmother), who entered monastic life after the death of her husband. In this post, I will discuss the life of my ancestress, Joan of Valois, who became a nun after her husband’s death.

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On this day, 7 March 1342, Joan of Valois, Countess of Hainault, passed away. She was my 22nd great-grandmother through her grandson Thomas of Woodstock, my 23rd great-grandmother through her grandson Lionel of Antwerp, three-times 20th and three-times 21st great-grandmother through her grandson John of Gaunt, and my 21st great-grandmother through her grandson Edmund of Langley.

Born circa 1294, Joan of Valois was the second eldest daughter of Charles of Valois and Margaret of Anjou.