Interesting Information …
Jan 12th, 2008 by kenopoly
Tonight, while researching my Forbes ancestry, I happened upon a book at Google Books. The title is The Scottish Nation - Surnames, Families, Literature, Honours and the Biographical History of the People of Scotland. Yeah, that is quite a title. However I made a very interesting discovery.
Here’s the deal. Recently, I was approached by someone with knowledge that would help me get my research from 1726 back to the 1100s. Well, of course, I jumped on that offer. Of course, the tree I was directed to has no sources except a link to a tree on Ancestry.com and other sources at that site. However, I was able to take the names and start popping them into Google. What happened? Voila!
I found this book.
Check out this excerpt from the book:
Alexander de Forbes … governor of Urquhart castle in Moray, which he bravely defended for a long time, in 1304 (speaking of his birth). against Edward the First of England, but on its surrender all within the castle were put to the sword, except the wife of the governer, who escaped to Ireland, and was there delivered of a posthumous son. This son, Sir Alex, de Forbes, the only one of his family remaining, came to Scotland in the reign of Robert the Bruce and his patrimonial inheritance of Forbes having been bestowed upon others, he obtained a grant of other lands instead. He was killed at the battle of Duplin, in 1332, fighting valiantly on the side of King David, the son of Bruce. From his son, Sir John de Forbes, 1373, all the numerous families in Scotland who bear the name and their offshoots, trace their descent.
So, how many times can you find a reference that states that you have a definite point where all of a certain surname can trace their heritage? I find this very interesting. Even if I can’t confirm everything that this new lead has given me, I know I only have a window from 1373 until 1726 to discover. After that history itself can unveil my heritage!
OK, some will try to destroy my glee over this discovery but I just wanted to share what I found and ask if there are any others out there with a similar story. Can you find a certain relative that all others can trace their heritage back to? No, let’s not say Adam & Eve!
OK, back to my seclusion! 
Just kidding, hopefully I will be able to get this blog back up and going and start sharing my discoveries with everyone!
Take care everyone and I hope you are all having a wonderful new year!
[...] in Scotland - It would be so awesome to be able to see Forbes Castle in person. I mentioned in an earlier post how that all who carry the Forbes name eventually can trace their ancestry to one certain person [...]