My Royal Line

My Royal Genealogical Line

Through William the Conqueror

The first Royal in this line of ancestry was:

My 33rd great-grandfather was Rollo, Duke of Normandy, born about 891 and married to Poppa, Duchess of Normandy about 891.

Also, known as Robert I "the Viking", he was the son of Rognvald, Earl of More.

A tapestry showing

Rollo in battle

My 32nd great-grandfather was their son, Richard the First, Duke of Normandy, born August 28, 933 in Normandy, France and married to Gonnor De Crepon, Duchess of Normandy about 962 in France.

Richard the First

My 31st great-grandfather was their son, Richard the Second, Duke of Normandy born about 963 in Normandy, France and married to Judith, Princess of Brittany about 981 in Normandy, France.

Richard the Second

My 30th great-grandfather was their son, Robert the First, Duke of Normandy born about 999 in Normandy, France and married to Herlette De Falaise about 1023.

My 29th great-grandfather was their son, William the First, King of England (called William the Conqueror) born on October 14, 1024 in Falaise, Normandy, France and married to Matilda, Countess of Flanders in 1050.

One of my most famous royal ancestors, William the Conqueror was the illegitimate son of Robert (the Devil and his mistress, Herlette de Falaise. William was the cousin of Edward, the Confessor. William used his wife, Matilda of Flanders to gain power over the English throne and made Edward promise to name him heir to the throne. Edward died childless on January 5, 1066. When the English choose Harold, Earl of Essex as the new King, William set sail for England and killed Harold at the Battle of Hastings. William’s most important claim to fame was the ordering of the Doomsday Book, a census that named all the lands and people of the country.

William the Conqueror

My 28th great-grandfather was their son, Henry the First (Plantagenet), King of England, born 1068 in Selbey, Yorkshire, England and married to Matilda Atheling, Princess of Scotland on November 11, 1100 in Middlesex,England.

William and Matilda’s youngest son, Henry the First (called Beauclerc meaning good scholar) seized the throne upon the death of his brother, William and the absence of his brother, Robert (on crusade). He is famous for issuing the Charter of Liberties by which England was ruled.

Henry the First

My 27th great-grandmother was their daughter, Matilda Plantagenet, Princess of England, born 1102 in London, Middlesex, England and married to Geoffrey Plantagenet V, Count of Anjou on May 22, 1127 in Le Mans, Sarthe, France.

Only surviving child of Henry and Matilda Atheling, Matilda married Geoffrey Plantagenet at her father’s request to help save the future throne of England. She was 24 and Geoffrey was 14. She provided Geoffrey with four children.

Matilda Plantagenet

My 26th great-grandfather was their son, Henry the Second (Plantagenet), King of England (called the Curt mantle), born March 5, 1133 in Le Mans, Sarthe, France and married to Eleanor, Princess of Aquitaine on May 11, 1152 in Boudreaux, France.

Henry the Second

Grandson of Henry the First, Henry the Second was the first Plantagenet King of England. Henry is credited with reestablishing law and order after the temporary reign his cousin, Stephan. He and Eleanor of Aquataine had nine children, including Richard the Lion-hearted and Prince John Lackland. Eleanor was very active in the running of the country during and after her husband’s reign. Later, his wife and son, John plotted against him to gain the throne. Henry was succeeded by son, Richard the Lion-hearted.

My 25th great-grandfather was their son, John Plantagenet, King of England (called John Lackland), born December 24, 1166 in Oxfordshire, England and married to Isabella De Taillefer on August 26, 1200 in Bordeaux, France.

John Lackland,
King of England

John Lackland became King upon the death of his brother, Richard, although he had to fight against his nephew, Arthur’s claim to the throne. John stole the 12 year old bride to be of Hugh de Marche, Isabella de Taillefer of Anjou. Vicious, shameless and ungrateful, King John has been called the worst king ever to rule England. His one great claim to fame was the signing of the Magna Carta, which he was forced to do by his barons and noblemen. He died of gluttony.

My 24th great-grandfather was their son, Henry the Third (Plantagenet), King of England, born October 1, 1206 in Winchester, Hampshire, England and married to Eleanore Berenger, Countess of Provence on January 14, 1236 in Canterbury, Kent, England.

Henry became king at the age of nine upon the death of his father, John Lackland. He was considered a weak and incompetent ruler. However, unlike his predecessor’s, he was a loving father of nine and faithful husband to Eleanor of Provence.

The casket effigy

of Henry the Third

My 23rd great-grandfather was their son, Edward the First (Plantagenet), King of England, born June 17, 1239 in Westminster, Middlesex, England and married to Eleanore, Princess of Castile and Leon on October 18, 1254 in Burgos, Spain.

Considered to be one of the greatest kings of England, Edward was called "Long shanks" because of his tall stature and ruddy good looks. He ruled in place of his father during his father’s last seven years before his death. At the age of 15, he was married to 10 year old, Eleanore, Princess of Castile and Leon. Eleanore gave him 16 children and they were inseparable throughout their entire marriage. Edward main success’s were the establishment of just laws, the ceasing of feudal tribute to the Pope and defeating the Scottish under William Wallace. After the death of his first wife, he remarried 20 year old Margaret, daughter of Phillip the Third of France and had 3 more children for a total of 19.

Edward the First at court

My 22nd great-grandfather was their son, Edward the Second, King of England, born April 25, 1284 in Caernarvonshire, Wales and married to Isabella, Princess of France on January 22, 1307 in Boulogne, Pas-de-Calais, France.

Tall and handsome like his father, Edward was a coward in battle. He was the first Prince of Wales. His reign was one of disaster and disorder. He married Isabella of France, who bore the nickname "the she-wolf of France." She was engaged to Edward at the age of 4. Isabella and Edward did not get along and she and her lover, Roger Mortimer plotted against him. Edward was captured, held in Berkeley Castle, tortured and murdered.

Edward the Second

Edward the Third

Edward became king at the age of 15. He proved to be a chivalrous knight rather than a great ruler. He was betrothed to Phillipa when she was 8 years old. Edward and Phillipa were second cousins. They had 12 children. Edward is credited with establishing the Order of the Garter, starting the 100 Years War and being king during the Black Death (Bubonic Plague) which killed half the population of England. After the death of his wife, he took a mistress named Alice Perrers, who infected the king with gonorrhea and on his deathbed striped him of all his jewels.

My 21st great-grandfather was their son, Edward the Third, King of England, born November 13, 1312 in Berkshire, England and married to Phillipa, Countess of Hainault on January 24, 1327 in York, England.

My 20th great-grandfather was their youngest son, Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester born January 7, 1355 in Oxfordshire, England and married to Lady Eleanor de Bohun in 1376.

The Murder

of Thomas of Woodstock

The youngest of 12 children, Thomas was named Guardian of the Kingdom at the age of 6 months old until his father returned from the French Wars. At the Age of 19, he married 8 year old, Lady Eleanor de Bohun. He served as Constable of England and was elected to Parliament. He is most remembered for his plot to overthrow his corrupt nephew, Richard and establish control in the reigns of government. He later opposed the marriage of King Richard to the infant child, Isabella, Princess of France. Thomas was arrested and died under great suspension of suffocation. At the age of 42. After death, he was striped of his lands, titles, and monies.

My 19th great-grandmother was their daughter, Anne Plantagenet, Countess of Stafford, born in April of 1383 in Phesy, Essex, England and married to Sir Knight William Bourchier about 1405

The eldest of Thomas’ three daughters, Anne was married and widowed three times. Her last husband was Sir William Bouchier, Knight of the Realm. Sir William was eventually able to regain the lands and monies lost by Anne’s father, Thomas of Woodstock. They had 5 children.

My 18th great-grandfather was their son, William Bourchier the Third, Earl of Essex, born in 1412 in Little Eaton, Essex, England and married to Thomasine Hankeford, Baroness of Fitzwarine on August 3, 1437.

Third son of Anne and William, he married Thomasine Hankeford and was able to re-establish the lands owned by her late father, Sir Richard Hankeford. He served as Master Forester and was elected to Parliament in 1448. He was later made Earl of Essex.

My 17th great-grandfather was their son, Fulke Bourchier, Baron of Fitzwarine, born on October 25, 1445 in Baunton, Devonshire, England and married to Lady Elizabeth Dinham in about 1467.

Fulke was granted his father’s lands in 1469 and served in Parliament under the reign of Edward the Fourth.

My 16th great-grandfather was their son, John Bourchier, Earl of Bath, born 1470 in Halstead, Essex, England and married to Ciccely Daubeney, Countess of Bath in 1496 in Baunton, Devonshire, England.

John was granted livery of his father’s lands in 1491 and summoned to Parliament as a Baron under Henry the Seventh. He and Cicely had eight children. In 1513, he accompanied Henry the Eighth in his expedition to France. He was made Earl of Bath in 1536.

My 15th great-grandmother was their daughter, Elizabeth Bourchier, born about 1500 in Bounton, Devonshire, England and married to Edward Chichester in about 1515.

Elizabeth and Edward had three sons. Her brother, John was sheriff of Somerset, and the first to declare the right of Queen Mary. He served at the trial of Lady Jane Grey. Elizabeth died on Christmas Day, 1548.

My 14th great-grandfather was their son, Sir Knight John Chichester, born about 1516 in Raleigh, Devon, England and married to Gertrude Courteney about 1555 in Raleigh, Devon, England.

John served as the Lord High Sheriff from 1552 to 1557. He was knighted in 1556 and served in Parliament. He and Gertrude had 15 children. Gertrude was the daughter of William Courteney, who was a favorite friend of Henry the Eighth. And bore 3^rd sword at his coronation.

My 13th great-grandmother was their daughter, Urith Chichester, born April 24, 1558 in Shirwell, England and married to John Trivillian on May 15,1591 in Nettlecombe, Somerset, England.

My 12th great-grandmother was their daughter, Susanna Trivillian, born about 1592 in Nettlecombe, Somerset, England and married to Richard Carpenter on September 1, 1606 in Nettlecombe, Somerset, England.

My 11th great-grandmother was their daughter, Fridgewith Carpenter, born about 1609 in Nettlecombe, Somerset, England and married to Thomas Nicholas Vincent in 1635 in Nettlecombe, Somerset, England.

My 10th great-grandmother was their daughter, Joane Vincent, born September 16, 1632 in Nettlecombe, Somerset, England and married to John Sheldon, Sr. on March 29, 1660 in Providence, Rhode Island.

Joan migrated with her brother, to America sometime before 1660 and landed in Rhode Island. She later married widower John Sheldon and settled in Providence.

My 9th great-grandfather was their son, John Sheldon, Jr. born 1663 in South Kingston, Rhode Island and married to Deliverance Palmer.

John Sheldon, Jr. married Deliverance Palmer, the daughter of George Palmer and Bethia Mowry. Deliverance’s grandfather was Roger Mowry, a friend of Roger Williams, (who founded the Rhode Island colony) and the owner of the first Inn in Providence.

My 8th great-grandfather was their son, Isaac Sheldon, born 1687 in South Kingston, Rhode Island and married to Susannah Potter in 1708 in South Kingston, Rhode Island.

My 7th great-grandfather was their son, Thomas Sheldon, born February 18, 1709 in South Kingston, Rhode Island and married to Harriet Winters in 1730.

Thomas moved the family from Rhode Island to Dover Plains, New York.

My 6th great-grandmother was their daughter, Susannah Sheldon, born 1741 in South Kingston, Rhode Island and married to Ephraim Pray and married about 1760.

My 5th great-grandfather was their son, Thomas Pray, born 1763 and married to Mary Sheldon.

My 4th great-grandfather was their son, Aaron Pray, born about 1800 and married to Marion Striegel.

My 3rd great-grandfather was their son, Ephraim Pray, born July 20, 1825 in Canton, New York and married to Mary Delina Francoeur on July 14, 1850.

Born in Canton, New York, Ephraim moved from there to Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois working on the Erie Canal. He was the first settler in St. Mary’s (later, Beaverville) area owning a farm in Section 32; Town 29; Range 11. He served as County Road Commissioner and School Board Trustee and built the first permanent home in the township.

My 2nd great-grandfather was their son, William Pray, born February 20, 1851 in St. Anne, Illinois and married to Angelica Curby on April 10, 1874 in Beaverville, Illinois.

Both William and his young bride, Angelica died of consumption within 6 months of each other in 1883, leaving their only child, Luminia, age 3, to be raised by Angelica’s parents, Joseph and Angeline Curby.

My great-grandmother was their only daughter, Luminia "Minnie" Marie Pray, born June 29, 1880 in Beaverville, Illinois and married to Moses Godfrey Caillouette on October 4, 1899 in Beaverville, Illinois.

Raised by her grandparents and later, an Uncle and Aunt, "Minnie" moved to Concordia, Kansas on a Conestoga wagon and eventually returned to Illinois to work in her Uncle Harry’s hotel in Beaverville. She married the son of a local businessman in Beaverville, Moses Godfrey Caillouette.

My Great Grandmother

My Grandmother was their only daughter, Macel Priscilla Caillouette, born October 23, 1904 in Beaverville, Illinois and married to Clement Norbert Raiche on October 12, 1926 in Kankakee, Illinois.

My Grandmother

My Mother was their second daughter, Phyllis Joan Raiche, born April 11, 1930 in Kankakee, Illinois and married to Eugene Leonard Longtin on June 21, 1952 in Kankakee, Illinois.

My Mother

To me...... Janet Ann Longtin, born March 10, 1953 in Kankakee, Illinois and married to [1st] Bruce Edward Copeland on March 10, 1972 in Montclair, California and [2nd] David Lloyd Vincent on December 13, 1986 in Upland, California.

For other genealogy information, click on any of these:

Ancestry Web Site
Family Tree Maker
Roots Web
Jan's World Main Page
Jan's Genealogy Page

[Ancestry.com]