Re: Sir Humphrey Gilbert Myth?...or maybe not......
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In reply to:
Sir Humphrey Gilbert Myth?
Jane Gilbert 2/23/07
Hi Jane. Just noticed your post.Sorry that no one else had zeroed in on it yet,but better late than never.
There are several things at work here. Before we toss out any connection with Sir Humphrey Gilbert we need to extract a few bits of real truth from the packing materials in which it is buried!Let's start with the aggressive peddling of inexcusably simplified generalities by those marketing a readily-identifiable sort of "Family History"books and"Your Family Crest"devices.The letter you quoted is a classic example of this kind of stuff.The problem is that there are kernels of truth in even the worst of this and there are not always clear boundry markers as you move up the scale of genealogical and heraldic legitimacy!
Both the Raleigh and Gilbert families were involved in early exploration and settlement in the Americas.Both were involved in some of the abortive pre-Mayflower landings,and attempts to establish permanent settlements.I am descended from a close ancestor of Sir Walter via other lines.I have also read the welcome news in the Burkes'1939 Landed Gentry that I am a member of the family of Sir Humphrey Gilbert.Burk's,Debretts and others are up at the other end of the continuoum we've been discussing,but they,too,are not perfect.In this case they do not substantiate the representaion any further.They do treat the family of an early Gilbert immigrant(mine)but not all the way back.
I'd love to have this all sorted out by one of the excellent folks who tackle these problems....responsibly.With time,there are answers emerging in many areas where we never thought there was hope.