Have you ever been able to trace your ancestors back to ancient times? If so, how did you do it?

[Skyros]

[Orion84]

I can trace my family line back to roughly the 12th century, but no further than that.

Once you get to that point in history, records are sketchy, at best, and non-existant, at worse. Even going back that far took a lot of work.

I can't claim credit for doing all that work, though; I have older relatives that spent a lot of time mapping that out. I was able to research and help fill in a few missing pieces, and verify the rest of their info, but I can't trace our lineage any further back.

[Skyros]

I’m happy for you. Is there a point in time when I should just give up on the quest to reach ancient times?

[Orion84]

It depends on what part of the world your ancestors are from, really. Some regions would have kept better records than others.
Plus, if you happen to be from an imortant lineage, you may be able to go back further.

I can't tell you a specific time period where you should just give up, but the further back you go, the harder it will be. I'd say that anything beyond maybe the 15th century will start to get tough.

[Skyros]

Thanks for your honesty truly. The part of family I’m focusing on lived in 10th century England which automatically lands them in the Viking age. A book told me that most people who live in England today had Roman ancestors. Here’s where it gets good, the Romans kept excellent records so all I have to do hunt the records down that proves they were once Roman citizens 🙌🏻.

[Orion84]

If you are able to connect your family line to the Roman Empire, that would probably be the best case scenario, yeah. They would have kept better records that most others, at the time, so you might be in luck.

[NathanDavis]

not me... not because it is not possible but because I really didn't care much for it

but other relatives have done it, and it is... interesting, lol

[purplepoppy]

Unless your family is in the nobility its going to be virtually impossible. Surnames didn't really come in until the norman conquest and even then it was something vague like smith. I only know as far back as granny can remember

[Bricealan]

@purplepoppy I traced my ancestry, back and found a crude drawing on a cave wall🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️😁👀

[Skyros]

I can’t let myself believe it’s impossible. There has to be a way even though I don’t think my ancestors were nobles or royalty. I once heard of someone who allegedly traced his to Ancient Rome. Thanks for answering.

[purplepoppy]

Kings here often claimed to trace their lineage back to the roman emperor right up to the 9th century. It was a way of asserting your authority so no doubt others did it as well up until the 19th century there was a village here where everyone claimed to be descendants of roman soldiers and would give their kids roman names.

[Skyros]

Which country are you referring to?

[purplepoppy]

The UK

[Nikki1989]

Never tried. It might be interesting.

[capriVib]

We don't have such data, but I can go back as far as 1800.

[Skyros]

Part of my family goes back to 10th century AD England. That’s as far as I’ve been able to go.