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We Are... Because They Were!!!
It were very
good, honourable, pleasant and profitable that every great noble, and
gentleman of heritage, and specially men of great houses, put in
remembrance and made chronicle of their house and surname; of their
beginning and progress of their predecessors' lives, particularly of acts
and deeds that they did in their time; what succession they had, with whom
they were allied, and what was their end. It were
great pleasure to a man to know the origin and beginning of his house and
surname, and how long it has stood; and it were right profitable, because
when a nobleman remembers the good beginning of his house and surname, the
long standing thereof, the honourable and virtuous acts of his
predecessors, it will give occasion to every man to conserve and maintain
the house that his forebears has constructed, and he will be the more loth
to do anything that may be the hurt or decay of the same. And moreover,
when he hears or reads the noble acts of his predecessors put in writ;
that howbeit they be dead bodily, their fame and honour is yet recent, it
will give them occasion to exercise themselves in virtue and honour, so it
may be written of them, as of their good predecessors; that their fame and
name may live and last long, and many years after their body be dead. And if any of their predecessors has been vicious, and their vice set forth in remembrance, it may give every man occasion to eschew all things dishonourable or detestable, in the event that it may be spoken of many years after their decease from this world, to their slander and shame. My family history is began with the ancients and although filled with many exciting ties to our world history there are many questions that will never be answered. I record only some of what I know here for you to peruse. Ruthven was the first recorded surname which is evidenced by entries in the Chartulary of the Abbey of Scone which records that Swan, son of Thor, a Viking baron held lands of Ruthven, Perthshire from which the family took it's name, during the reign of William the Lion (1165 - 1214) .
From Scotland, by way of the tower of London after the Gowrie Uprising, my family made it's way to America. Landing in Virginia, our American ancestry began. I will continue to add to this site as I am able. Just wanted folks to know of my great beginnings.
Would you please help me give credit for these lovely graphics. If you know whose linkware this is please notify me. I would love to give credit where it is due! Thank you! |
