Finding Royalty in your family tree
Uncovering royal lineage and a fascinating discovery
On an episode of the hit PBS show Finding Your Roots, actor Bob Odenkirk, best known as “Saul Goodman” from both “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul,” learned that his 5th great-grandfather, a man named Friedrich Carl Steinholz, was the illegitimate son of a Duke. In the mid-1700s, Friedrich’s mother, Odenkirk’s 6th great-grandmother, Maria Catharina Bien, was the mistress to Friedrich Carl, the Duke of Plön. The Duke fathered four children out of wedlock with Maria while he was married to another woman.
While this is fun and interesting to learn, and a cool story to share with friends, what is even more fascinating is the documentation by the Duke of his love for Maria. Despite being married, the Duke made a written promise not only to state his deep love for Maria but also to promise himself to Maria in marriage should anything happen to his spouse. However, the Duke passed away only 7 years after making the promise. He left behind his legal wife, his mistress Maria, and their four illegitimate children, including Odenkirk’s 5th great-grandfather, Friedrich Carl.
Connected to modern-day monarchs
One of the most fascinating things about discovering this European royal lineage is how it connects Odenkirk to all of the Royal families of Europe. This includes the current royal family of England, the former monarchs of Denmark, and many other nations. Bob and King Charles the 3rd are 11th cousins! Upon learning this information, the show’s host, Henry Louis Gates, asked, “How does this make you feel?” Odenkirk responded that he felt like he was a part of history.
One of the best parts of building your family tree is learning and feeling the connection you have to the past.
Every single one of us is connected to history.
It may not be through royal lineage, but our ancestors were a part of history.
Learning that your ancestors fought in the Civil War or the American Revolution, were a part of Napoleon’s army (Odenkirk’s had ancestors who fought for Napoleon, too), started the first printing press in their town, owned the local dairy and delivered milk to the entire village, etc., connects us all to the past.
You hit THE REcord JACKPOT IF YOU find royalty in your tree
When researching family trees, if you’re lucky enough to discover royalty, the records become easier and easier to find. Royals documented their lineage in painstaking detail, including their mistresses, as seen in Odenkirk’s tree. Once you find one royal ancestor, the floodgates open.
I was floored to discover royalty in my family tree.
When I uncovered my 5th great-grandmother, Sophia Taylor, who was poor and married to a farmer in Tennessee, I suddenly noticed an abundance of records. Finding her parents was easy-peasy. This isn’t usually the case once you’re this far back on the tree. Records tend to get harder and harder to find the further back you go. I couldn’t believe the paper trail that unfolded. I was able to follow her paternal line back further and further. It all made sense when I followed the line back and uncovered her distant family member who was a member of Henry the 8th’s royal court.
That’s why there was so much documentation! The connection to royalty. I was able to trace this line back to the year 400 with ease. I know I can take the line even further back! However, b/c it’s easy, I know I can pick up this research any time. Thus, the plight of a genealogist.
Every generation adds another set of grandparents and a new line to research. Did you know you have 4,000 10th great-grandparents? Each one is like a new shiny penny to steal your attention, and they often do. I’ll return to my royal roots when I feel burnt out from scouring the world for other ancestors’ records and need the documents to start popping up like weeds again.
Curious to know if you have royalty in your lineage? Or who were your people in history? Reach out!