`Not content with one line of aristocracy ...'

Dec 21 2005 By The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

NOT many people know this, but I have a secret passion for genealogy.

For years I claimed to be a direct descendant of Ilbert de Lacy, who arrived in England with William the Conqueror in 1066, and was therefore the rightful owner of Castle Hill - the de Lacy's built the original castle on it.

This was based on nothing more than that my granny's maiden name was Lacey and they were a Yorkshire farming family.

Well, it could be true. The family line could have been cross-jostled by a Norman conqueror 900 years ago.

From that premise, I spun a possibility that I was surprised to hear repeated by my daughter Sian a some years ago, who believed we owned Castle Hill.

"Who told you that?" I said.

"You did."

Not content with one line of aristocracy, I grew up with another.

The story went that my great grandfather Kilcommons had been the result of a liaison between a lord and a housemaid at an estate in Ireland. She had been given money to leave with her baby and had been rowed across the moat on a dark night and sent to England.

Who told me that?

My mother did.

Years later, I found out my great grandfather was born in poverty in Galway in 1857 and came over with his brother in search of work and they became coal miners. This may not be quite so glamorous but is factual.

Paul Blake and Audrey Collins explain how family legends can become distorted in their book The Complete Guide To Creating Your Own Family Tree, which is published by Foulsham and costs £7. 99 (www.foulsham.com).

You may believe that an ancestor was related to the Duke of Wellington only to discover he was the landlord of the Duke of Wellington.

Or find the distant grandad four generations removed who reputedly died at Waterloo, actually fell down the station steps and broke his neck.

It doesn't matter which is true, the fascination is opening that window on the past and discovering where you came from. Which is why tracing our roots is a growing compulsion.

"In many ways, genealogy is the ideal hobby," say the authors. "It is something that you can pick up or put down when it suits you. After all, your ancestors are not going to disappear."

And they add: "Our ancestors give us our features, the colour and texture of our hair and skin and the shape of our face. We inherit the ability to move or think quickly, the probability of having twins, talents in the arts or sciences, music or mathematics. And we inherit behavioural traits, personality, generosity and meanness, kindness and cruelty."

Ah, but how do I start a family tree, you make ask.

That's easy, they say. With yourself.

Write your own potted biography for your children and relatives and those that follow. It's amazing how little your own family probably know about you. Include important dates, memorabilia and photographs. Then carry on down the line and dig into your roots.

My wife has a fascinating family history that includes Italian, Flemish, Irish and English ancestry. On the Italian side, she comes from a long line of doctors from Naples. On the English side, she can claim Hanging Judge Jeffreys among her kin, which may or may not be someone to boast about.

A few years ago, Jake the Rake undertook a genealogical search into my name and very good he was, too. I was happy to learn that two great grandfathers were travelling brewers in the 19th century and Jake found a possible link with Brigham Young of the Mormon Church who had 55 wives, the line from which I obviously get my stamina.

Jake - the GenieAnalyst, as he dubbed himself - also discovered lots of Nolans among my ancestors.

"Just think," he said. "You could be one of the Nolan Sisters."

Which is a thought.

But on the whole, I think I will try to dig up more facts rather than rely on legends.