Living Descendants of King Henry the Eighth
I subscribe to a service called “SiteMeter” which allows me to see a limited amount of information about my visitors. One thing that I can see is if someone finds my site via a Google search. Recently, I’ve had a number of hits from people looking to find out about living descendants of King Henry VIII. My site isn’t really about that, but I thought I’d provide an answer anyway, as a public service.
There are no living descendants of King Henry VIII.
Henry’s father, King Henry VII, had four offspring who lived past childhood: Arthur, Margaret, Henry, and Mary. Arthur was always expected to be the next king, but he died in 1502. When Henry VII died in 1509, the kingdom was passed to his younger son, crowned Henry VIII.
Henry VIII had four known living offspring from four different women. His first wife, Catherine of Arragon, gave him a daughter, Mary (born 1516). He had an illegitimate son, Henry FitzRoy (born 1519), with his mistress Elizabeth Blount. His second wife, Ann Boleyn, had a daughter Elizabeth (born 1533). His third wife, Jane Seymour, had a son, Edward (born 1537). Henry VIII would have three more wives, but no more children to carry on his line. And as we shall see, none of his four branches would bear fruit.
Henry FitzRoy died in 1536, while his father was still alive.
When Henry VIII died in 1547, young Edward became King Edward VI, but died in 1553 with no heir. He was 15 years old. That was the end of Henry’s Y chromosome. But what about the daughters?
There was a brief reign by Lady Jane Grey (not a descendant of Henry VIII, but a granddaughter of his sister Mary) and then Henry VIII’s daughter Mary took the throne as Queen Mary I of England. You may know her as Bloody Mary.
(Don’t confuse either Mary with Mary Queen of Scots, who was yet a third Mary. She is a descendant of Henry VIII’s sister Margaret. We’ll come back to her in a bit.)
Mary I of England died in 1558 with no offspring, leaving the country in the capable hands of her sister Elizabeth. During the 45-year-long reign of Queen Elizabeth I, we saw a new Golden Age which included the rise of Shakespeare and Sir Francis Bacon. But alas, we saw no heir. Elizabeth died in 1603, ending her father’s biological legacy forever.
The crown then passed to the son of Mary Queen of Scots, who was James VI of Scotland at the time. He became King James I of England. And Shakespeare quickly began work on Macbeth. Note that the British monarchy even today can be traced back to King Henry VII, the father of King Henry VIII.
But King Henry VIII himself has no known living descendants.
I hope this was helpful for at least some of you. For the rest of you, expect a new Conundrum tomorrow.
UPDATE: An anagram version of the answer!
November 9th, 2007 at 2:39 am
I don’t know much about it ,but there are other known children he had. Mary Boleyn had 2 children by Henry the 8th. Henry and Catherine. So theres still a possible chance their are some descendents of his. Supposedly he has 29 living descendents. From his own bloodline. Not his whole families.
November 9th, 2007 at 4:24 am
Welcome Sam!
There isn’t any evidence that Mary Boleyn’s children were fathered by Henry. There was some speculation at the time that one of them might have been, because Mary was one of Henry’s mistresses. But modern historians believe that he was born too late to have been a product of their affair.
Look, Henry certainly got around. It’s no doubt possible that he has living descendants today from his own bloodline. But none of them are known to us today.
And that’s lucky for me. Otherwise, I would have to change the anagram.
February 15th, 2008 at 9:38 am
There is evidence to suggest that Henry and Catherine Carey could have been the offspring of Henry VIII. He took a keen interest in both children’s up bringing despite the Boleyn disgrace, and under his daughter both children did well and were seemly favoured by her. It is said that the descendents of Henry and Catherine Carey bore a strong resemblence to their cousin and that Catherine particularly bore a stricking resemblence to Elizabeth, even down to the trade mark fiery red hair. To further support this you only have to look at the treatment of William Carey, Mary’s jilted husband. Through the years Mary shared Henry’s bed William Carey was bestowed with numerous, albeit minor, gifts of land, money and titles. These gifts particularly intensfied around the birth of both children, a very intriguing fact don’t you think? Despite the claims of some historians that the children were born outside of the affair it is not really known when either child were born, so it is possible they were born during the affair. The question is why, for a man so desperate for sons did Henry VIII not announce the child was his? There appears to be several reasons; firstly there was not the remotest chance that Henry Fitzroy, his son by Elizabeth Blount, could not have been his as she was not married- Mary Boleyn was. So even though it is quite possible that Henry Carey was his son, Henry VIII did not have undeniable proof and the last thing Henry wanted to do was divide the country by giving them a dubious claimiant as their next sovereign. Another reason was his devotion and desperation to marry Mary’s sister Anne Boleyn, in his papal plea Henry argued that his marriage to Catherine of Aragon was void because she had been married and supposedly bedded by his older brother Arthur, the deceased Prince of Wales. So here you can see the irony, how could he then have a legal marriage ( he did intially seek a legal marriage) to the sister of a former conquest when he claimed his previous marriage was void for the very same fact- it is important to remember that in the beginning Henry was very keen to keep his divorce and remarriage all legal and properly done. Then you must consider the position of Anne Boleyn, if Henry Carey was indeed the son of Henry VIII he would be a thorn in the side of any son of her own, so perhaps she used her own considerable influence to ensure the boy was never recognised. Despite this Henry Carey was later given over into the care of Anne, why would a child of relative unimportance be given in to the Queen of England’s ward?In some quarters it is believed that Anne Boleyn took the child to strengthen her own position, particularly in later days when she failed to produce her own son.
It is possible that Henry Carey was the son of Henry VIII and particularly relevant when you consider Mary was widowed not long after the end of their affair. Perhaps in different circumstances this and the death of Catherine of Aragon could have resulted in their marriage and the legitimisation of Henry Carey into the heir apparent. Some may claim that this is a far fetched suggestion, however it is important to remember that Henry VIII’s own ancestor John of Gaunt had his illegimate children, the Beauforts, legitimised post birth when he eventually married their mother, these legitimised children later joined forces with the Tudors and culminated in the King Henry VII.
Even though Henry was reknowned for his overriding obsession to produce a healthy male heir he was also a statesmen and madly in love, perhaps he realised, at this time, during the turmoil he had already caused that pronouncing another illegitimate son would jeapodize his position further and also jeapodize his marriage and love for Anne Boleyn. He may have also genuiniely believed that his beloved Anne would produce him a hoard of sons and therefore felt there was not point in trying to legitamize a son whos paternity to the outside world was some what dubious. Perhaps in another time and place Henry Carey could have been recognized.
In the end it is the Carey children who have had the last laugh and gained their rightful recognition, for if Catherine and Heny are the children of this famous King our present day Queen is a direct descendent of both them and Henry VIII.
February 17th, 2008 at 2:30 am
Welcome, Jet! Thanks for your insights and information. I didn’t know QE2 was descended from the Carey children.
With the attention surrounding The Other Boleyn Girl, we can expect this topic to heat up. I don’t have much more to add than I wrote above, but I’ll throw this back in the Active category and invite others to join the discussion.
February 17th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
thanks, ive had too much time on my hands evidently. The Tudors were a scandolous,hot blooded and blood thirsty lol, forget todays WAGS!
March 7th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
I am a direct descendent of Catherine Carey. We are out here.
March 14th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Beth – would love to see your lineage.
what do you know about Henry Carey’s lineage ?
I am really interested in the modern ancestry of Henry VIII
illegitamate children .
Have found details of Henry Fitzroy but would love some background on Mary Boleyn’s children and their descendents
October 21st, 2008 at 11:54 pm
I seem to recall reading that there were a total of four suspected illegitimate children of Henry VIII, three in addition to Henry Fitzroy. I wish I could find more information about those three.
November 5th, 2008 at 7:10 am
There is a very large number of descendants of Catherine Carey in the United States.
Catherine Carey wed Francis Knollys, KG, and by him had Anne Knollys who wed Thomas West, 2nd B. De la Warr (of the second creation), and they were the father of three royal governors of the Colony of Virginia (namely, Thomas West, 3rd B. De la Warr; Francis West; and John West), as well as Elizabeth West who wed Richard Saltonstall and whose descendants were prominent in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Lettice West who wed Henry Ludlow and whose descendants also settled in colonial Virginia, and Penelope West who wed (Fitz)Herbert Pelham and whose descendants settled in early Maryland.
November 5th, 2008 at 7:27 am
Beelsie:
Henry FitzRoy, D. Richmond and Somerset, died without issue (neither legitimate nor illegitimate), and thus no one is descended from him.
Henry Carey, 1st B. Hunsdon, wed Anne Morgan and had children who either inherited or were granted further titles in the peerage, e.g., E. Monmouth, E. Dover, and E. Sunderland (in addition to B. Hunsdon). There is no contempraneous source that identifies either Catherine or Henry Carey as an illegitimate child of King Henry VIII. It seems to be the overwhelmingly most likely case that these myths began during the height of renownedly exaggerated Puritan intellectualism about a century later on.
November 5th, 2008 at 8:01 am
Bill:
Yes, Queen Elizabeth II is a descendant of Catherine Carey as follows.
Catherine Carey, who wed Francis Knollys, KG, had:
Lettice Knollys, who wed Walter Devereux, KG, 1st E. Essex, and had:
Penelope Devereux, who wed Robert Rich, 1st E. Warwick, and had:
(Mary) Essex Rich, who wed Daniel Finch, 2nd E. Nottingham and Winchilsea, and had:
Mary Finch, who wed William Savile, 2nd M. Halifax, and had:
Dorothy Savile, who wed Richard Boyle, KG, 4th E. Cork, and had:
Charlotte Elizabeth Boyle, who wed William Cavendish, KG, 4th D. Devon, Prime Minister, and had:
Dorothy Cavendish, who wed William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck, KG, 3rd D. Portland, Prime Minister, and had:
William Charles Augustus Cavendish-Bentinck, who wed Anne Wellesley, and had:
Rev. Charles William Frederick Cavendish-Bentinck, who wed Caroline Louisa Burnaby, and had:
Nina Cecilia Cavendish Bentinck, who wed Claude George Bowes-Lyon, KG, 14th E. Strathmore and Kinghorne, and had:
Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon, KG, who wed King George VI, and had:
Queen Elizabeth II
November 6th, 2008 at 12:40 am
Welcome Beth, Beelsie, Mary, and C. H. E. West III!
Wow, thanks for sharing all of that information. This has been one of the most popular posts on the blog. It comes up on a lot of Google searches and brings in new readers. So I’m glad that visitors looking for answers will find some!
Thanks again.
November 18th, 2008 at 5:00 am
Thanks! I got everything I needed to know here about Henry’s descendants, plus some!
November 21st, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Welcome, Ushasi!
I’m glad you found what you’re looking for. Thanks for visiting.
November 30th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
As far as I know, my mother’s family (Stuckey) are descended from Henry VIII (granted it is from the wrong side of the sheets) as we have a signet ring that has been passed from father to son and now my cousin has it.
December 3rd, 2008 at 12:02 am
Welcome, Brent Jones!
The signet ring sounds interesting. What can you tell us about it? And do you know from which of the suspected Henry kids you’re descended?
January 4th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Very interested in these comments. My family is supposed to be descended from Mary Boleyn. Old family records list Carey, Broadstock, Whitehorn, Tame (of Fairford Church fame) but I don’t understand the links of the chain. Can anyone help?
January 6th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Welcome, Gillian!
I also don’t know the links of the chain, but information about the Carey family is listed above.
I’ve learned a lot from these comments!
January 7th, 2009 at 4:39 am
Thanks for the reply, Bill. I’m interested in the descendents of Henry Carey (I think the above lists Catherine’s offspring?) so if anyone has any info on the Henry side also, that would be great!
January 12th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
I too am interested in the connection between the CAREY family and others named Broadstock, Whitehorn, Tame, all apparently of Berkshire, England. Does anybody have the direct ties?
alanr@rogers.com
London, Ont., Canada
May 3rd, 2009 at 8:16 pm
I have been researching my family history and through one genealogy site was able to connect my family to Mary Boleyn. This was something really exciting for me because I have been avidly reading up on Mary and others of the Tudor era for a few years. However, I found that the link that was made was not necessarily a valid one, and I have been going through, person by person, to verify each and every link. I have gotten caught at one last link, which could either link my family to Mary Boleyn or finally allow me to know for sure that the lineage I have been following is not valid. If anyone could help me out, I would be really thankful. What I need to know is who the children of Lettice (or Letitia) West and Henry Ludlow were. Again, if anyone could help, I would be extremely thankful.
May 7th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Welcome Alan and Kaitlin!
I’m not an expert on British royal lineage, but perhaps other readers can help out. This post still gets more Google traffic than any other post on the blog, so feel free to continue the discussion.
July 23rd, 2009 at 9:16 am
Just thought I’d mention that whether Henry & Catherine Carey were descended from William Carey or Henry VIII, doesn’t matter, they are still descended from Edward III through John of Gaunt either way … and Mary Boleyn, of course, is descended from Edward I. Bless him, Sir William Carey keeps getting palmed off as a lesser person, he hasn’t got such a bad looking tree really! What are the best sources for researching Henry Carey’s family, anyone?
November 1st, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Infact Jane Seymour, Henrys Wife was bloodline related to Henry.. she was his 5th cousin only 3 times removed via Marriage only.. so where her brothers.. who infact went on to have children also.. so Henrys bloodline did living on to a degree..
November 1st, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Correct hj Her father, Sir John Seymour, was knighted at the Battle of Blackheath in 1497 by Henry VII. He enjoyed royal favour during the next reign. Her mother, Margery Wentworth, was descended from Edward III, so Jane was Henry VIII’s fifth cousin. The Seymours were a respectable family from Wolf Hall, near Marlborough in Wiltshire. They produced ten children, including Edward, Thomas and Jane (born c1508).
November 9th, 2009 at 2:25 am
Kaitlin,
I too am looking to confirm my descendancy from Mary Boleyn through Lettice West & Henry Ludlow. Does anyone know if William Ludlam is a descendant of Henry & Lettice? This is the gap I need bridged. I have seen such connection made in the past but am not certain as to their reliability. Help anyone?
November 10th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
i read t that Henrys fool,Will Somers was in possession of Henrys diary and right before his death he was in correspondence with catherine carey telling her she was the daughter of Henry and mailing the diary to her. He was afraid that one of Henrys other descendants might burn or destroy it after what Mary had done to henrys body
November 17th, 2009 at 9:42 am
I have also begun researching my husband’s lineage so I could create a scrapbook for his dad for Christmas. When I saw the Mary Boleyn pop up in the pedigree, my initial reaction was ‘No Way’. I’ve always been interested in that part of history before I found this out. My research has led me to that my husband is a direct descendant of Henry Carey. The line goes as such:
Henry Carey
Catherine Carey
Joan Howard
Henry Scott
Thomas Scott
Edmund Scott
Hannah Scott
Isaac Brunson
David Brunson
David Brunson
Martha P Brunson
Joseph J Franklin
James E Franklin
Augustus Franklin
If any of my info is wrong, please let me know. I found out my husband’s tree is more fascinating than mine.
December 29th, 2009 at 8:18 pm
I have always been taughter that the Stuckey’s (my family name) were somehow descendents (illegitimately) of King Henry VIII. Apparently the historical book “The Stuckey’s of Somerset” by Michael Churchman reflects this?
May 13th, 2010 at 4:23 am
A lot of inbreeding in England huh?
May 22nd, 2010 at 6:50 pm
I have direct linage to Mary Boleyn through Catheryn also- via colonial virginia ancestors – Mary Cade Wise – Matilda West -Anthony West – Gov John West – many Americans with early families on the eastern shore were lesser nobility that would not inherit due to birth order so they came to the new colony to seek their fortunes -and make claims for the king, who they evetually turned on. Most American Presidents come from these lines – they inter-married to the nth degree – at some point our family trees pratically just go straigt up. I’d like to believe that Grandmother Catheryn was the daughter of the great Henry VIII – and that some of his royal blood flows in the US today. Oh also on another line go back to Lady Jane Grey’s family – so am a decendant of Henry’s royal line in that way. And all from a colony in Jamestowne.
June 9th, 2010 at 10:42 am
It appears increasingly likely over time that the Carey children were indeed the children of Henry VIII and were said to be so at the time. Just not by Henry, who could not claim them for politcal and moral reasons. Mary Boleyn was a married woman.
It’s amazing to realize that there are literally thousands of Henry VIIIs direct descendants in the world today. Ha, so far I am not among them, though the above poster is quite correct about the settlers in Virgina who could not have title in England. Those settlers gave many of us direct connection to famous Tudor families.
The very royal remains of Elizabeth I and Henry Carey are right there at Westminster Abbey. Henry VIII is just a few miles away at Windsor Chapel.
DNA testing could answer our questions, but the present royals are not likely to ever grant such tests. DNA testing seldom fails to present totally unexpected results, and today’s royals need none of that.
July 30th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
Referring to Jennifer Stuckey post. The Michael Churchman “book” (an unpublished typescript manuscript) has no reference or reflection to a descendancy of Henry VIII, that I can find. I do not have a complete manuscript however.
August 19th, 2010 at 7:25 pm
The “Groton Avery Clan” can also trace their heritage to Mary Boleyn
and William Carey. My relationship joins at the marriage of
Humphrey Avery (1699) and Jerusha Morgan (1704). The Avery’s
lived in Conn., Maryland and my link, South Carolina, my gg grandmother was an Avery…..there are a lot of us out there!
September 7th, 2010 at 9:46 pm
This site has been very interesting. I have been researching my grandfathers family and we are related it seems to Catherine Carey
through her son Sir Francis Knollys and wife Lettice nee Barrett.
Through a female line . My granfathers family inherited money and title through a court case proving direct lineage to a Knollys Branch
also related to Sir Francis and Wife Lettice nee Barrett through a male line.It was an exciting discovery.
September 18th, 2010 at 8:02 pm
I was looking at some portraits of Henry Carey and King Henry the eighth, and visually there is an amazing resemblance. I think that for the reasons stated above, and the physical resemblance, he was a son but could not be claimed. Mary’s parents had her marry young to someone in the court of the king in order to put her under the nose of the king. It would stand to reason that once she caught his eye, everyone that stood to benefit saw the logic in her not sleeping with her husband for the duration of the affair. I doubt her husband would have minded that much because he was being elevated in status and wealth.
November 24th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
HenryVIIII had an affair with Mary Boleyn produced Henry Lord Hunsdon Carey and so to my tree as follows
Robert Carey 1560
Philadelphia Carey 1585
John Worton 1617
John Worton 1638
John Worton 1661
William Worton 1684
William Worton 1714
Benjamin Worton1742
John Worton 1763
John Worton 1797
John Worton 1814
Elizabeth Worton 1848
Hannah Hale 1875
Alice Maud Morris 1913
Roger Morgan 1940 (Living )
This makes Henry VIII my 14 th G/G/father . Right or wrong ? can someone advise me ?
February 18th, 2011 at 12:36 am
Incorrect. There are no KNOWN descendants of Henry VIII. Doesn’t give you the authorotative right to assert that there are not potential illigitimate ones in existence, especially when it seems you haven’t done your homework very well. You didn’t even mention Richard Edwardes, but I suppose you’d dismiss the possbility of that as quickly as any other.
The jury is still out on Henry VIII’s descendants. I personally believe he did have children…he just had way too many mistresses and way too many “rumors” circulating for NOTHING to have come forth. We don’t see any other monarch in British history to where there are so many assertions of descent. Why fabricate stories about Henry VIII when you could do the same for many other monarchs? Sure, he was fairly popular, but he was no George Washington and certainly not the most beloved English king. More research has to be done and while we may never be able to definitely say we are his descendants we also can never definitely say that we are not.
March 13th, 2011 at 6:44 am
KING HENRY THE 8TH THE DUKE OF ALBANY COMES UP ON MY SURNAME IT IS CALLED THE BUIK OF THE KIRK OF THE CANAGAIT MARRIED MARY QUEEN OF ROIS IN THE CHAPPEL IN EDINBURGH, IT COMES UP ON FAMILY WEBSITE, WE HOLD HIS NAME DOES THIS MEAN WE CARRY HIS BLOOD LINEAGE, ALSO THE BUIK OF ALEXANDER THE GRIT GREAT COMES UP ON MY BUIK FAMILY NAME
March 22nd, 2011 at 12:06 am
I too am a descendant of Mary Boleyn through her daughter, Catherine who married Sir Francis Knollys. Mary was my 13th great grandmother. My line is through many Knollys generations. I’m quite sure that there are many of us that could possibly be the descendants of King Henry VIII. Hopefully, one day there will be DNA to be able to prove our heritage without a shadow of doubt. I’ve always believed that during the time of Catherine and Henry Carey’s birth Henry VIII wouldn’t have dared admit that he had possible heirs to the throne with a “married” woman while he was trying to divorce Catherine of Aragon. The Church would have most definitely have thrown his plea out for such activities especially since he wanted to marry his married mistresses sister, Anne. The timing and circumstances during the birth of Catherine and Henry’s was just wrong. I think that Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn tried to make up for not announcing the children’s birth right in the only way they knew how by lavishing gifts, money and titles on them.
April 2nd, 2011 at 1:01 am
There seems to be some chronological evidence of Catherine and Henry Carey having been the children of Henry VIII and Mary Boleyn. Their affair began in 1522 and ended in 1526, both Catherine and Henry were born during this time period. It is doubtful that HenryVIII would have shared Mary with William Carey during their affair. Also, estates were granted to William Carey in 1524 and 1526 at about the time that Catherine and Henry were born. Arrangements were made for Catherine and Henry to be taken care of and educated, also they became wards of their aunt Queen Ann after her marriage to Henry VIII. Why else would this have been done if they were not the children of Henry VIII? Catherine and Henry Carey were also VERY close to Queen Elizabeth I, beyond what a cousin relationship might be. Elizabeth I paid for their stately funerals and monuments which would suggest a sibling relationship most likely only known to her. I am descended from Henry Carey….. having problems with the “beheading issues.”
April 15th, 2011 at 3:36 pm
This is all so fascinating to me. I recently learned that I am a direct descendent of Mary Boleyn through her daughter Catherine and later the Wests from Virginia. There must be A LOT of us in the US from them!
May 5th, 2011 at 5:27 pm
Kia ora- Hi
I am from New Zealand I am a Maori, native of my country. My ancestors include this man Henry the eight. How I, can’t tell you. I have been brought up knowing that we relate to Henry 8th. Once when I ws a young child we had a family reunion and a geneology chart was shown to the families and on it was his name. But my great great great grandfather originates from England. Our family name is Gage. Other then that I dont know much. But one day soon I will be looking into it.
June 28th, 2011 at 12:08 am
Hello cousins! I think there’s one thing we can all agree on: Our upteenth great grandfather was a tramp and and our possible upteenth great grandmother was no better. My lineage traces back to Mary Boleyn also, but I have no clue if I’m a decendant of Henry VIII, not that it matters…us Melton’s eventually gave up our coat of arms and moved to the US anyway. Happy hunting to the rest of you though! :)
September 15th, 2011 at 7:06 pm
Here’s another “me, too!” I’m connected to Mary Boleyn as well. I was always fascinated by the Tudors, Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn in particular. Through an ancestry service I found direct connections to the first settlers of Jamestowne including the Wests whose links to the Knollys then to Mary Boleyn have been described by other posters. In addition to all the clues cited in other posts,
Catherine (Lady Knoylls) Carey’s funeral documents are the only “non royal” ones kept with many royal funeral documents and she was buried like royalty at Elizabeth I’s expense, as was her brother, Henry. On Sir Henry Carey’s tomb his name is not inscribed but his title: Lord Hunsdon which could be a way of indicating that he was not a Carey by birth. In spite of that, the Carey name definitely came to the colonies.
I found an interesting link to Martha Custis Washington. You may recall George Washington had a romance with a woman named Sally Fairfax. Her maiden name…..Sally Carey! The women of her family were noted for their beauty and charm. She was wealthy, from a very old family, claimed the same coat of arms as Sir Henry Carey and she had auburn hair. I’m thinking Henry VIII’s genes via Mary Boleyn are still
among us. Cheers!
September 15th, 2011 at 7:06 pm
Here’s another “me, too!” I’m connected to Mary Boleyn as well. I was always fascinated by the Tudors, Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn in particular. Through an ancestry service I found direct connections to the first settlers of Jamestowne including the Wests whose links to the Knollys then to Mary Boleyn have been described by other posters. In addition to all the clues cited in other posts,
Catherine (Lady Knoylls) Carey’s funeral documents are the only “non royal” ones kept with many royal funeral documents and she was buried like royalty at Elizabeth I’s expense, as was her brother, Henry. On Sir Henry Carey’s tomb his name is not inscribed but his title: Lord Hunsdon which could be a way of indicating that he was not a Carey by birth. In spite of that, the Carey name definitely came to the colonies.
I found an interesting link to Martha Custis Washington. You may recall George Washington had a romance with a woman named Sally Fairfax. Her maiden name…..Sally Carey! The women of her family were noted for their beauty and charm. She was wealthy, from a very old family, claimed the same coat of arms as Sir Henry Carey and she had auburn hair. I’m thinking Henry VIII’s genes via Mary Boleyn are still
among us. Cheers!
September 24th, 2011 at 7:07 am
There are Carey, Littlefield, West in my family. Anybody know of a connection with Littlefield to Mary Carey?
November 24th, 2011 at 5:46 am
Green Beads…
[…]Shakespeare Teacher » Blog Archive » Living Descendants of King Henry the Eighth[…]…
December 26th, 2011 at 11:57 pm
I am descendant of Henry Carey, and would love to know if there is any type of ancestry DNA going on out there that would prove/disprove relatives from Mary Boleyn’s children to find a possible link. Mary was my 12th great-grandmother, and I do have strong belief that Henry was the son of Henry VIII. Reason for not publicly accounting of this was the King’s new obsession with Mary’s sister, Anne, and if he’d hope to ever marry Anne, he could not openly admit that he had children with her sister. No church would grant dispensation nor the heirarchy be accepting of that situation.
If DNA testing is not currently being done…is there a way to begin this in the lineages that believe they are connected?
December 26th, 2011 at 11:58 pm
forgot my email address to those interested. I live in Florida, USA.
January 16th, 2012 at 5:57 am
gregg…
[…]Shakespeare Teacher » Blog Archive » Living Descendants of King Henry the Eighth[…]…
February 11th, 2012 at 8:59 pm
I too descend from Mary Boleyn, through Katherine/Catherine Carey and Francis Knollys;
Anne Knollys and Sir Thomas West
Letitia West and Henry Ludlow/Ludlam
William Ludlow/Ludlam and Clemance Fordham (he came to Long Island after his wife died)
Mary Ludlow/Ludlam and Thomas Scudder
Benjamin Scudder and Elizabeth Smith
William Smith Scudder and Elizabeth Wood
Mary Scudder and John Wyckoff
Catherine Wyckoff and William Charles Maben
Benjamin Scudder Maben and Emma Landphair
Mary Emma Maben and Otto John Gano
then my mother and aunts, cousins, daughter and granddaughters still living;
is there any organization of us cousins???
there can’t be any DNA test as there are no descendants of Henry VIII who we KNOW for sure are his heirs…too bad…I don’t care about Henry VIII but feel well for Mary that she did marry for love. Read Alison Weir’s books for all the different angels and rumors.
February 20th, 2012 at 8:29 am
There is plenty of Mary’s decendants living in New Zealand. My Great Grandmother Jean Henrietta West was a descendant of Francis West from Virginia.
The family tree continues to get interesting within America with a decendant of Richard Warren who was on the “Mayflower” marrying a later Thomas West, who’s son William moved to Nova Scotia in Canada.
My Great, Great Grandfather Henry West then left Canada for New Zealand and through his marriage, we link into the famous De Green family, (one is beheaded in Shakespeare’s play Richard II, much like Anne Bolyen) which pretty much traces back to all the royal families including the Byzantine Emperor Constantine IX, who’s painting hangs in the St Sofia in Istanbul, Turkey. (that I visited last year)
Explains why we always had to watch the Queens speech at Christmas time as kids.
March 5th, 2012 at 3:30 am
I have been able to trace my genealogy back to Catherine Carey, Daughter of Mary Boleyn.
Catherine and Sir Francis Knollys had Anne Knollys who married Thomas West (my grandfather) 1555-1608
Anne and Thomas had John West Governor of Virginia (my grandfather) 1590-1659
John West 1st married Anne Claiborne and had John West 2nd 1632-1691
John married Unity Croshaw and had John West 3rd (grandfather) 1676-1744 and so forth, I have the family tree all the way to me.
March 5th, 2012 at 3:30 am
I have been able to trace my genealogy back to Catherine Carey, Daughter of Mary Boleyn.
Catherine and Sir Francis Knollys had Anne Knollys who married Thomas West (my grandfather) 1555-1608
Anne and Thomas had John West Governor of Virginia (my grandfather) 1590-1659
John West 1st married Anne Claiborne and had John West 2nd 1632-1691
John married Unity Croshaw and had John West 3rd (grandfather) 1676-1744 and so forth, I have the family tree all the way to me.
March 8th, 2012 at 1:49 am
I just found out, today, that I am a descendant to Henry the VIII, which is why I Googled, “Descendants of Henry VIII”.
My grandmother has traced our genealogy to Henry VIII, and is working on getting everything together to mail to me.
March 24th, 2012 at 12:58 am
ornamental gates…
[…]Shakespeare Teacher » Blog Archive » Living Descendants of King Henry the Eighth[…]…
May 2nd, 2012 at 1:22 am
My Family checked my dads full English background and I too am a descendant of Henry VIII from one of his children with a mistress
May 2nd, 2012 at 9:19 pm
I am a direct descendant of Henry VIII. Thank you for your diligence and best wishes.
May 12th, 2012 at 10:56 am
Before I even new what geneology was about I always said my
Grandmother looked exactly like the Queen of England .
Now that I have traced my roots & it links me to Mary Boelyn& Catherine Cary it all makes sense !! I would love to have DNA done.
Can it be done, and if so why hasn’t it been done !!! All of us with
these Royal roots no why…….
WE ALL GOT THE ROYAL YOU NO WHAT
May 30th, 2012 at 7:48 pm
Funny that this guy is my ancestor.
May 31st, 2012 at 7:41 pm
I am a living descendant of Margaret Beauchamp. I was very excited to learn this. Margaret was the grandmother of Hendry VII.
May 31st, 2012 at 7:42 pm
That would be Henry VII not Hendry.
June 21st, 2012 at 8:35 pm
My family, the Edwards, are reputed to be descended from H8 and his mistress Agnes “Beaupenny” Bluett. The evidence is purely circumstantial, but fairly strong. She and H8 were in close proximity before her son’s birth, and she was allowed to include the Tudor Rose in her coat of arms, which showed she was under H8’s favor and protection. There is a lot more info out there.
June 23rd, 2012 at 12:51 pm
I am a historian, not a potential descendant, but simply reading about the customs of the time and actions taken by the participants, are very telling. And finally, using one’s eyes. There are several others who have a striking resemblance to old Henry, who really got around a lot. I think at the time all knew who his bastards were, and made great efforts to marry them and shelter them, perhaps with hopes for their own families.
Just look at the portraits of the peerage. I think future DNA testing will prove it. My guess is that there were many royal bastards, all quietly placed with appropriate families whose own children had no heirs, as child mortality was so high in those days. Daughters were married into well placed families, sons became heirs of fathers with no living sons who were friends and intimates of the king.
At least one grandson I am quite sure of had quite a lot to do with the Virginia company. The movie ” Anonymous” was close but didn’t do quite enough research and drew a wrong conclusion. If you are a good detective you will figure it out.
June 26th, 2012 at 8:36 am
Me too… The Carey children have numerous descendants in the Netherlands. Henry Carey’s sons Edmund and Robert served with the earl of Leicester’s troops supporting The dutch revolt against Spain in the 1580s. Later Careys served as officers in the armies of the (then) Dutch republic against France. One of Edmund Carey’s great-grand- children, Philippa Staunton, married a dutch nobleman, Roelof van Arkel. They have many descendants in the Netherlands (and no doubt elsewhere) – of whom I am one.
July 3rd, 2012 at 3:05 pm
How do I know if I am a great great great grandaughter or a cousin i have no idea how. My uncle was looking up the family tree and told me that we were related to king henry the II.
July 4th, 2012 at 5:28 am
Of England? He died in 1189, so I imagine he would have many, many descendants alive today. If you’re one of them, check out The Lion in Winter, an excellent 20th-century play about Henry II that’s been made into a couple of movies. Actually, you should check it out either way!
July 21st, 2012 at 7:28 pm
My name is Marcia Hamilton, my maiden name is Pinney.I am a descendant of Henry, says my grandmother who past, it was my aunt who picked up an interest in our family tree. My mother maiden name was Watkins, before that boltenhouse or boltinghouse not sure but my aunt has all our records.
August 10th, 2012 at 8:14 am
My last name is hance I have no access to genealogy sites how would I find out if I am a royal descendent or anything like that?
September 22nd, 2012 at 7:04 am
[…] to the Shakespeare lovers and Shakespeare teachers. Thanks to the Googlebot and people looking for living descendants of Henry VIII. Today, you all have been counted. Onward and […]
October 31st, 2012 at 11:19 am
recenlty my uncle, (father’s brother) sent his DNA into geology .com and it was a direct 99% match to King henry the 16th. Are there groups that meet?
November 22nd, 2012 at 1:30 pm
In regards to Henry VIII having 4 illegitimate sons, I am curious about Richard, born to Katherine who was married to a man from Wales. They were at Henry VIII’s court, when Cromwell was in great favor with Henry VIII. Henry was also so fond of Richard, that he offered to knight him if he changed his name to Cromwell. Katherine and her son Richard were in favor of this, and Richard became Sir Richard Cromwell. I cannot trace Richard’s father who was married to Katherine or any of her other husband. She was supposedly a beautiful woman and married several times. I have always wondered if Richard was one of Henry illegitimate sons.
November 25th, 2012 at 2:19 am
I am a descendant of an Agnes Nesbit who may be a descendant of Henry VIII’s sister Mary Tudor, Queen of France. After the King of France died, Henry sent his childhood companion, Charles Brandon to bring her home. She eloped with Brandon and they were ignored by Henry for a time and finally forgiven. They had a daughter Eleanor Brandon (Lady Jane Gray’s aunt) who married Henry de Clifford. My relatives come from a Agnes Nesbit who married William Curry. They were from Scotland and immigrated to Lancaster, PA in the 1600’s. My family has an amazing resemblance to the Tudor portraits, especially Henry’s children Edward and Elizabeth. So far we have not been able to figure out if Agnes Nesbit is truly a descendant of Henry VII.
December 3rd, 2012 at 12:25 pm
i am also related to king henry VIII. Queen Elizabeth II (current queen of the UK) is my cousin. King Henry VIII is i think my uncle. My grandmother did a project in high school and did a family tree dating all the way back to the 1300’s and we are related to King Henry VIII if we would have kept the legacy in our family (stranded off to queen Elizabeth, my great great (GREAT) grandfather married a german woman taking the royality directly out of my name) i would have been king by now :( sad to think about it but Queen Elizabeth and i are cousins
December 3rd, 2012 at 12:26 pm
also its cool to see who i could be related too
December 5th, 2012 at 2:50 pm
My parent was going through ancestry and the humphrey name led back to henry the 8th, are there any others that are also humphrey and think there relatef to him ?
January 16th, 2013 at 9:25 am
I agree 0.0 Bloody Mary…
February 3rd, 2013 at 4:37 pm
Re: Corgiotter’s comment above, and replying to Dorothy Davis Gilmore: “My family, the Edwards, are reputed to be descended from H8 and his mistress Agnes “Beaupenny” Bluett. The evidence is purely circumstantial, but fairly strong. She and H8 were in close proximity before her son’s birth, and she was allowed to include the Tudor Rose in her coat of arms, which showed she was under H8’s favor and protection. There is a lot more info out there.” Dorothy, Agnes is Richard Edwards’s mother, the child Richard being Henry Viii’s. Agnes decided to marry a noble Edwards, of Wales. I’m descended from this line and I’ve found many others who are too. I even look like Henry! (American living in NYC)
February 6th, 2013 at 4:17 pm
I’ve recently delved into ancestry and found that my line goes all the way back to Richard Edwards. Would love to have proof that H8 was the father of Richard (OR NOT) just to know which direction my lineage follows.
February 21st, 2013 at 8:39 am
Wow just stumbled across this website, with a coffee in hand its better than reading a book or episode of the Tudors!
Do have to agree with some of you above though that sadly there is no concrete evidence and probably never will be that any of these illegitimate children were Henry VIIIs. Any evidence that may once of existed would most certainly have been destroyed to protect Henry himself and any future marriages/children. The actual probability of course is a different matter but as yet no proof has ever been found. I’m sure Henry would find this all very entertaining though and any disputes would be treason in his eyes!! Happy searching all.
February 27th, 2013 at 9:19 pm
Hi everyone I am a desendent of the late james cowall the earl of cowall of blackmoor from myresearch his llife ends cant find his parents but there are alot of coincidences in the background I think im somehow related to richard henry brother who started a hermitage in blackmoor any way the earls daughter was ellenor she marrried richard turner and left for canada she brought her dad the earl of cowellanyway my grear grandmother was olivia turner his granddaughteror something like that I was also told I was of royal blood I just want to know were it was from the earl married mary woan
March 1st, 2013 at 8:53 pm
Hello. My name is Jennifer. My nickname has been “Quiet Princess” for many years now [please don’t laugh]. Yet, I did not realize until only two years ago that I was actually a possible descendent of King Henry VIII and his mistress Mary Boleyn & her daughter Catherine Carey. A distant cousin came up with the research and found out that many other people from my same home county in Arkansas were also descendents of these historic people. I just find it very eery that my nickname was what it was. It’s almost like someone from above really wanted to let the cat out of the bag! Eeery! Well, I hope they succeed one day in allowing us all to know the truth about what exactly happened 489 years ago. Wouldn’t that be nice?
March 2nd, 2013 at 2:57 am
I descend from Mary Boleyn and Catherine Carey through a line in which my ancestors came over to the U.S. in the Maryland/Virginia area. Here is the line:
Mary Boleyn
Catherine Carey married Francis Knollys
Henry Knollys married Margaret Cave
Elizabeth Knollys married Henry Willoughby
Margaret Willoughby married Henry Griffith
Samuel Griffith married Elizabeth Evans
Samuel Griffith married Mary Katherine Wood
John Griffith married Mary
Mary Griffith married William Marshall
Thomas Marshall married Margaret Wells
William Marshall married Eleanor Austin
William Howard married Elizabeth Marshall
Mary Howard married William Wells
David Wells married Elizabeth Ann Waterson
John Geller married Viola Mae Wells (My Great Grandparents)
March 2nd, 2013 at 8:59 pm
I am hoping to make connections/contacts with others who are decendents of King Henry VIII. I was searching my family geneology recently and it is showing that King Henry VIII is my 12th Great Grandfather. It showes that Catherine Carey is my Great Grandmother. In addition I also show that William the Conqueror, King of England is my 23rd Great Grandfather. I find this very interesting, and again, I hope to make connections with other decendents.
March 5th, 2013 at 6:50 pm
I found your site today and may have breaking news for you. I am currently at work on the Family tree and it points to Henry VIII and the Laundress of Field of Cloth of Gold 1520. The story my 93 year old father told me just prior to his death was that we are related to crowned heads of Europe. That was 1979. Fast Forward 40 years and I find the RICE coat of Arms and the story of Sir Thomas ap Rhys. We seem to be 40 strong descendants of the Love Child William Henry Rice. The Laundress is Beatrice Rice of David Rice Groom and part of the Household of Princess Mary from 1519. I am investigating whether the controversy over William ap Rhys 1522 of Catherine Howard/and Sir Griffith ap Rhys ap Thomas Fitzurien beheaded tower hill Jan 4, 1531 is the Fostered Love Child of Henry…. On the site of “TUDOR WOMEN” They wrongly assert that Mary Griffith was the only Child of Gruffed ap Rhys and Catherine St. John, who was born March 31,1519. That would leave out the son who was beheaded by Henry VIII. The second Child of David and Beatrice Rice was Mary, whom Princess Mary paid for both their educations and even a wedding gown for little Mary. So is Mary Griffith also the fostered child of David and Beatrice? Henry ap Rhys went on to marry Elizabeth Batman 1500 ca.= John ap Rhys II & Catrin Perrott 1530 gggrandaughter of John Perrott. From there we find Thomas ap Rhys 1570-1608&Margaret Mercer to my connection, Captain John ap Rhys/ Rice Rebecca Hoewll and #2 Anne Hackley. Your private commets would be greatly appreciated. Thankyou.
April 12th, 2013 at 7:10 am
I have been trying to find out how many children Sir Thomas Wharton 1587-1622 and Philadelphia Carey 1585-1655 had. Philip 1613 & Thomas 1615 for sure but others also claim John 1617 and Edward 1619. Can anyone tell me what documentary evidence there is for the latter 2 sons?
April 21st, 2013 at 11:54 pm
My dog is related to King Henry the VIII. his dog sired my dogs great great great great great great great great great grandmother. I am ALSO related to the king…and my family sailed to ELis Island about 80 years ago….right here on long island we have about 300 ancestors of the king.
April 24th, 2013 at 3:26 pm
Linus, for the win!
May 17th, 2013 at 4:43 pm
I am related to Catherine as well.
May 17th, 2013 at 5:10 pm
I’ve been reading a book about the Tudors (don’t know why I wasted my time), and I can not understand why anyone would want to claim that monstrous individual as an ancestor
May 23rd, 2013 at 9:42 am
Yep, me too. Catherine Carey was my 12 great grandmother and from what I read it is pretty certain she is Henry’s kid. I live in NYC and as I see, there are a ton of us scattered about.
Can’t we dig up some of the crazy old King’s dna?
Elcie. He wasn’t always a monster. I just read about the whole family. A Lot of beheadings being done all around and they all seemed related in some way.
I have had a lot of health problems. Inbreeding? Anybody else?
So far no madness!
May 28th, 2013 at 3:02 am
Any chance of an answer to my question of 15th April?
August 13th, 2013 at 5:02 pm
Philippa Gregory’s website references Sir Francis Knolly’s latin dictionary. It indicates that Katherine Carey was conceived during her Mother’s affair with Henry VIII.
August 30th, 2013 at 6:28 pm
I live with a man that is a suspected descendant of Henry VIII, since he was little, he was told that there was an indiscretion in the families history, apart from that I know no more. But he is identical to Henry VIII. He has gout, he has type II diabetes, he is 6ft2″, he has fiery red hair. How would you go about finding out whether he is a real descendant, is there a test you can do??
September 13th, 2013 at 4:05 pm
I’m with you. I can’t wait for Fall. My favorite season. :)
October 5th, 2013 at 11:49 am
I am a descendant of Henry Cary, and I’d be really interested on any information that anyone has regarding his possible relation to Henry VIII. I’ve been trying to do some research myself, but I haven’t come up with anything definate. Any help would be much appreciated!
October 10th, 2013 at 8:18 am
I have traced my ancestery back to Richard Edwardes, son of Agnes Bluett. Rumors have that Richard was sired by Henry 8. Be that as it may, I would like some information about UHF decendents of Richard.
October 21st, 2013 at 9:57 am
I read so many of these comments, my favorite was by Linus about the dogs.
October 23rd, 2013 at 9:00 am
Me too, actually.
November 1st, 2013 at 10:57 am
I am related to Henry VIII via his Welsh mistress as well. He is I believe my 15th grandfather. Actually I am related x 2 as my mother was an Edwards who married an Edwards. Both lines lead back to 2 Welsh brothers who settled in Maryland in the late 1600’s. My dgt is very into family history and has all the details. I will give her this web site.
November 1st, 2013 at 12:45 pm
I am descended from both Catherine Carey and Henry Carey–two separate lines, obviously. This means that Mary Boleyn is my 13th great grandmother twice. Whether or not that means I am descended from Henry VIII is still a mystery! Jet’s comments in 2008 align with my own research (I am a genealogist and archives librarian). Through other lines my family is descended from Edward III, Edward I, Henry III, and probably more. None of this means we have claims to the throne, but it is a neat family history find. It’s nice to know others out there share in this noble lineage.
November 22nd, 2013 at 5:34 am
I, too, am a descendant of Richard Edwardes, son of Agnes Bluett and H8.
November 22nd, 2013 at 8:31 pm
If JFK is related to henry the 8th then my family might be related to them the last name is Kennedy
December 5th, 2013 at 3:30 am
Im descended from Agnes Bluett to her son Rev Richard Edwards Sr. also Edwards Seymour is my 13th Great Grandpa. His Daughter Mary Seymour married Francis Cosbie my 12th Great Grandpa. My Cosby family came to the States and married into my Garland Nichols and Hammond family
If Henry 8 is the father of R Edwards then hed be my 15th Great Grandpa. King Edward VI is my 14th Great Uncle. Anne Jane Seymour and Katberine Howard are all my 7th cousins 15x removed through 1 connection
January 8th, 2014 at 10:28 pm
Such an interesting site! Like no other I have found! I will reserve my comments about lineage until I have our family documents in front of me. A relative actually wrote and published a book about our family lineage, which traces back to good old Henry. I do find it incredibly interesting hearing about the physical attributes of the family considering I match them all!
Either way you look at it, the man had an insatiable appetite ;0) and there is no way to know for sure about the illegitimate children until DNA testing is permitted! It would be fascinating, wouldn’t it? Add the Melrose name to the list!
January 9th, 2014 at 7:58 am
I am actually the 14th Great Granddaughter of Catherine Carey on my mothers side so it would be awesome if she was in fact Henry’s daughter. If it isn’t true I am still his cousin as I am the 17th Great Granddaughter of Elizabeth Woodville(his grandmother) making Henry my 1st cousin 17 times removed.
January 22nd, 2014 at 4:25 am
King Henry does not have any *direct descendants.
But the present queen, Queen Elizabeth II is related to him.
January 22nd, 2014 at 11:18 pm
Queen Elizabeth II is a direct descendant of Henry VIII’s sister Margaret. So at the very least, Henry is Her Majesty’s great great great great great great great great great great great great great great uncle.
As for whether or not Henry himself has any direct descendants living today, well… I don’t know. What do you guys think?
February 14th, 2014 at 4:51 pm
I am not related to King Henry VIII. At least not directly. My ancestor was a first cousin of King Henry VIII and was a person the king sought advice from during his reign. Love the posts!
February 20th, 2014 at 9:43 pm
Hello edwardes family i’am direct descendent of Richard edwardes and not far removed from Thomas edwards of the new world settlement and the land fraud of Manhattan at which stems from the Edwards hall estate wales my family holds information on the matter but am afraid the entire story lies within wales and the family that didn’t migrate therefore I’m reaching out to see if anyone would care to communicate on the matter and give me insight on there family branch and story. Hope to hear from someone
February 26th, 2014 at 6:38 pm
I am the 15th great granddaughter of King Henry VIII. I am pretty much supposed to be in England THE princess and my parents as the King and Queen, but Richard Edwards, King Henry’s illegitimate son was excepted into the inner royal circle, but none of his decendants got the throne? How messed up. His only surviving son, doesn’t even get to be excepted all the way. I think it’s not right. I should be a princess!
March 4th, 2014 at 4:19 pm
Im a direct descendant of Rev Richard Edwardes. His mother was Agnes Bleuett She was noble of her own birthright by the Grenvilles. Im proud to be a part of that family line. I recently sent out my family dna results to the Society of Genealogy to verify my information then off to the royal family it goes for the Queens decision on if our family will recieve our titles that are considerex dormant.
March 17th, 2014 at 1:57 am
Donna you and I share the same ancestors William Edwards was the brother to Baron Joshua Edwards my 12th great grandfather.
March 20th, 2014 at 7:16 am
blueblood,
I too am a direct descendant of Richard Edwards, supposed son of Henry VIII. I would be very interested to know what you discover from your DNA submissions. I am considering doing it as well. Please email me at jwe88@ntelos.net
Thanks!
John Edwards
April 20th, 2014 at 2:53 pm
All of this commentary is interesting and somewhat amusing. I can claim the same genealogic lineage as most have stated. However, consider how many ancestors we share with each other. In truth, we, all, must have royalty and criminals in our lines. No doubt some were crowned and some were probably hanged. It’s been my observation that many folks of humble station are often more aristocratic in behavior than do people of wealth and position. Being an aristocratic comes from the heart – not from one’s genetic makeup.
April 25th, 2014 at 11:18 am
Thanks for the laughs folks! You Yanks are so funny! I myself am a descendant of the great Robert the Bruce, after he had an affair with Mary Queen of Scots whilst he was overseeing the building of the Forth Bridge. Of course the pregnancy was kept secret and the boy was spirited away and raised in Brigadoon. So whilst I am of Royal descent, I have no claim on any throne. It does however mean that I am also related to Rob Roy McGregor, Flora McDonald Tam O Shanter,. Parra Handy and Rab C Nesbitt! A family lineage I am rightly proud of.
May 16th, 2014 at 9:27 pm
Fifty years ago I took a genealogy class and the very learned prof. stated that centuries past it was worth a persons life to walk down a country lane with a piece of bread in your hand — starvation was so rampant. She further stated that Lords of the manor often placed poor children in front of their armies (as a buffer to shield knights – who were more valuable).
She said that if a person didn’t have some type of protective authority (right – or wrong, side of the blanket) they, most often did not continue to exist. Then she stated, “without doubt, Everyone goes back to Royality. The trouble is that Very Often – WHO you find — you may wish you hadn’t.”
Add to that (and it’s already been said) most persons leading groups to America were ‘younger’ sons, who had somewhere finally to go apart from a military or a religious career.
Of course I told myself — ‘there’s no royals for you, you KNOW’.
When I found the 1st such line — I stopped learning of them. Truly that was not wanted. Same with the second line — I started another. I gave up with the 3rd one. They only were good enough for each other you know — and inter-married ! I have every line mentioned – +++++. Into every nation in the sphere (Almost). But then I do have some lines back 40+ generations. Some fruits — some nuts — PLUS — some mighty fine people that I’m rightly proud of also!!!
T H A T ‘ S G E N E A L O G Y !!!
ps That is, I’ve had it most of my life….my pc just swallowed it.
It’s in there — I can see it still listed — but I’m told the path won’t function
May 19th, 2014 at 7:24 am
My gramdmothers maiden name was Tudor, she was born in Wrexham Wsles
May 19th, 2014 at 7:37 am
My nan’s maiden name was Tudor. She was born in Wrexham Wales, which I read was where henry viii family was from. Her father was the last Tudor in my lineage. Although I’m not a direct descendant, I am related to the family. It is a bit of a novalty knowing I’m related. My nan also had a striking resemblance to Queen Elizabeth the second.
May 26th, 2014 at 3:53 am
My eleven times Great Grandfather is Jester Will Sommers Somers
My thirteen times Great Grandfather is Sir William Cavendish
I love reading all of this. I wish we could all have some sort of huge reunion of family in UK someday.
May 28th, 2014 at 4:44 pm
I am the 11th (gen) great grandchild of Mary Boleyn. I come from Henry’s line. Seems there is quite the family left and scattered about. <3
June 10th, 2014 at 12:34 am
I’m related to him. If you have an email address I will send you the family tree.
July 5th, 2014 at 12:14 am
I am related through my mom’s side… King Henry had children he didn’t claim. ..
July 7th, 2014 at 10:19 pm
Richard Edward, son of Agness Beaupenny Blewii and Henry VIII. she was one of his mistresses, she got pregnant and since she was a lady of the court, he got her married off to Sir William Edwards. She and Edwards have several other children, all this birth records with her and Edwards name on them, but there is none of Richard. Also, Richard was shower on with gifts and positions and titles from Henry and Queen I, and none of Agnes other children were. Henry VIII, was known to bestow titles, lands, and provide high educations for his bastards, which he did for Richard Edwards. He attend Oxford and earned both a Bachelor and Masters degrees.
July 12th, 2014 at 7:15 pm
I am a direct descendant of Henry VIII’s maternal grandmother Elizabeth Woodville Grey Plantagenet and her first husband John Grey who was killed in battle as a young man. They had two sons, Thomas and Richard. Thomas is my 14th great grandfather. So, Henry VIII is my 1st cousin, 15 times removed according to ancestry.com.
August 10th, 2014 at 12:56 am
Another descendent of Richard Edwarde’s here. While the evidence is circumstantial, it’s pretty convincing that he was most likely known by H8 to be his son (hence all of the money and protection that was thrown his way by the crown).
September 12th, 2014 at 8:03 pm
Can any one tell me who Sir Hubert Page was in the ads of Henry the eighth. He was supposed to be one of he rise favourite knights. Supposedly. Held court in the divorce or death of Ann Borlyn.
September 14th, 2014 at 3:08 am
I would be interested to know if there is any possible way to retrieve DNA from King Henry VIII with the technology used recently to identify “Jack the Ripper.” Perhaps this DNA technology could find some missing linkages in the “other” Tudor lineages. I would love to know if I was related to someone as influential and infamous as King Henry VIII. I doubt I am, but I bet his descendents would be happy to know.
October 4th, 2014 at 7:51 pm
My uncle as well did a family search, findings we are related as well to King Henry the VIII. Through the Rosebush name.
October 4th, 2014 at 7:53 pm
Sorry my name is Tamara not Eamara.
November 16th, 2014 at 11:02 pm
We are also suppose to be decendants of both Bullens and Careys. My grandfather is Bullen and my grandmother is Carey. Only have history till 1500 need to go further back.
November 29th, 2014 at 12:37 pm
I have Cary, Ludlow, Blount, Boleyn and many other lines of ancestry. I have followed this collateral line of the Carys on and off in my research for quite some time, but have so many collateral lines to work on, that I cannot claim to be an authority.
For nearly three years I have been into autosomal DNA testing and found seven DNA segments that I must have inherited from 15th great grandparents in the Andrews family who were born in the 1360’s, four segments from 14th great grandparents in the 16th century, numerous matches from the Howards. DNA is absolutely phenomenal if you have the pedigrees to figure out who the DNA might be from. Anyone wanting to confirm his relationship here ought to check in at FTDNA.com. They are having a holiday special at the moment. For reference purposes my kit No. there is E12086.
December 2nd, 2014 at 6:40 pm
A recent study on the mathematics of genetic descent over time shows that more than 90% of people of European descent are descended from Henry VIII…..or any other randomly chosen person of that era. There are literally BILLIONS of descendents of Henry VIII running around. It’s about as meaningless a claim as anyone could make. It’s far more difficult to find anyone who isn’t one of his descendents.
February 6th, 2015 at 7:51 pm
Sorry you are wrong I am related to Henry the 8th and all the other Henrys so oh and I’m alive my 27th great grandfather is Henry the 2nd who is related to Henry the 8th
February 14th, 2015 at 8:16 pm
I too am a descendant of Catherine Carey. I’m in the U.S.
February 20th, 2015 at 2:22 am
Interesting site… I am Mary Queen of Scots 13th great granddaughter and Lord Darnley is my 13th great grandfather. James I is my 12th great grandfather etc.. Henry the VIII is my 15th great uncle, which makes Elizabeth I my 1st cousin 16 x removed.. Pretty neat I suppose.
February 21st, 2015 at 5:14 pm
Hi kirstie, I am descended from, a portuguese family called the da sena’s,
They were descended from phillipa, of lancaster, who was the queen of portugal,
and descended from john of gaunt, i believe,also the holy roman emperor charles the v, who was mary tudor’s father,i know the that the stewarts and tudors were cousins, that why james the 1st of england was chosen to become king after the death of elizibeth the 1st of england.which probadly makes us related in some manor.
February 21st, 2015 at 6:21 pm
Yes.. Deliz and Desena came up last night on my search…I will go look and double check;). My grandmother had always said I was related to Mary Queen of Scots, but I was like yea right..Well, looks like I owe her an apology..Henry the VIII was quite the philanderer.. Lil embarrassing..I am thinking Queen Elizabeth II is my first cousin 13x removed.. I am not sure..King Charles I is my 10th great grandad I think.. It was Lady Catherine Phipps who left for America..She is my 8th or 9th Gma…
February 21st, 2015 at 6:48 pm
Hmm. I came up with William DeSaint Liz DeSenlis as my 24th great grandad..Charles I Knight of the Garter is my 11th great grandad..Henrietta Maria De Bourbon is my 11 th great grandma and Queen Margot is my 12th great grandma..ugh.. Making my head hurt..I also traced back as far as Fulk V who was King of Jeruselum..I did see DeSena.. Wonder if distant cousin?
February 21st, 2015 at 7:01 pm
Christian III of Denmark-Norway is 11th grandad..does anyone know who his dad and mom were? Ray, somewhere along the line we are related..but looks like my family was all over the place (I.e. France, Denmark, Italy, Israel, etc..)..I am sure Portugal is in there somewhere..
February 21st, 2015 at 7:07 pm
Found it..Henry IV 20th great grandad and Prince John of Gaunt was my 21st great grandad.. Ray, how is John of Gaunt related to Queen Phillipa?
February 22nd, 2015 at 10:59 am
John of Gaunt was Queen Phillipa’s father. She was a sister of King Henry IV.
Holy Roman Emperor Charles V was not father, but first cousin to Queen Mary I of England. Their mothers were sisters. Mary’s father was Henry VIII.
Mary, Queen of Scots and her son James I are descended from Henry VIII’s sister Margaret, as described in the original post. Their father, Henry VII, was descended from John of Gaunt through his third marriage. He is listed as Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond here.
So, if Kristie is descended from Mary, Queen of Scots, and Ray is descended from Queen Phillipa, then both are descended from John of Gaunt.
February 24th, 2015 at 3:34 pm
How you guys trace your ancestry
March 9th, 2015 at 6:23 pm
I’m a descendent of Mary Boleyn through her daughter Lady Anne Knollys. I’ve seen varying opinions on whether Henry fathered her and her brother Henry. Just found out about this very recently and am reading as much about her as I can.
March 9th, 2015 at 6:25 pm
Correction on above post, I’m related to Mary Boleyn through her daughter Catherine, and Catherine’s daughter Anne Knollys.
March 12th, 2015 at 12:46 am
So Ray, then perhaps you are a distant cousin? You can’t be that distant as Elizabeth I is my 1st cousin 16x removed.. We, in theory, should be closer relation? Not sure..
March 26th, 2015 at 6:39 am
According to some family tree website, I’m the desent of King Henry. My family and I. I live in America. I don’t know the full story but somehow this guy is in my blood.
March 30th, 2015 at 3:01 pm
My daughters hair is red and I am a Tame related to Richard the 1st and henry 8 and Ann Boleyn. My cousin looks the same as Eliz the 1 and I look like Ann Boleyn. I believe we had land and titles in Kent.
March 31st, 2015 at 12:17 pm
The “Oxfordian” Charles Beauclerk’s, author of “Shakespeare’s Lost Kingdom – The True History of Shakespeare and Elizabeth”, 2010, Grove Press, Ny. Makes a very interesting pitch that Elizabeth I was extraordinarily ‘prolific’, despite her & Lord Burghley’s insistant claim of “virgin queen”. …. This is a great intrigue. And of course is very much disparaged by the business surrounding the ‘Stratford Man’. … His research promotes Edward DeVere, 17th Earl of Oxford, as her first son, fathered by Elizabeth’s step-father, Lord High Admiral Thomas Seymour (husband of Catherine Parr, Henry VII’s ex). … Educated by the best tutors, became a published poet, & a favourite at court. But when he discovered who his mother was, became furious, & thus ‘anonymously’ wrote the Shakespeare canon in revenge. … A great read …. Cat Among the Pigeons.
March 31st, 2015 at 12:18 pm
Sorry, further ….my greatest hope is for their DNA to be researched.
March 31st, 2015 at 12:22 pm
Further #2 … ‘Shakespeare’s’ autobiography, probably “Hamlet”.
March 31st, 2015 at 12:23 pm
Further #2 … ‘Shakespeare’s’ autobiography, probably “Hamlet”. No kidding!
April 7th, 2015 at 10:15 pm
Hello to all, George Washingtons mother Mary Ball is my 4th grand mother. GWs ansestors were english kings . Ive looked it up , its quite interesting. Futhermore Princess Diana & Princess .Kate Midleton are also neases of GW. Please note, any more fun ???? info we would like to share with us , kindly contact Kingtuttut1923@gmail.com.
April 15th, 2015 at 11:35 pm
Had My DNA I got reports I am related to King Henry down to My grandparents Ann Stafford and I have papers show from me to my dad on down to Prince Charles Duke of Cambridge, Please email me at b.houston86@yahoo.com
May 12th, 2015 at 7:31 am
Hey just putting it out there if anyone knows.inbreeding was popular iam adirect descendant from King Ferdinand illegitimate son (court approvedit)long story but he had a kid with luisa de Estrada any who queen Isabella and Fernando were cousins. Mary I of England blood run throughs me. Her half sister was Elizabeth I. I guess if anyone can do the connections and tell me what would Mary be for me? She had no kids. But yeah lol :)
June 12th, 2015 at 2:06 pm
Interesting site! I’m also a descendant of Catherine and Henry Carey through BathshebaGriffith and John Ferguson of Calvert Co Md . Catheine Carey, Queen Elizabeth I favorite, made a fabulous marriage with Lord Frances Knolllys. Their daughter was Lettice Knollys who married Robert Dudley, Queen Elizabeth I’s favorite. The Queen was enraged. Robert’s stepson, Lettice’s son by first husband Walter Devereux was Robert, Earl of Essex, Queen Elizabeth I’s final favorite. He tried to take the thone, believing he was the descendant of Henry VIII. Why, unless his grandmother was the king’s daughter.
In addition, the discovery of Richard III’S body has revealed his DNA DOES NOT match the present royals, so descent is not guarenteed.
June 12th, 2015 at 5:53 pm
Welcome, Catharine!
While I agree that descent is not guaranteed, the recent discoveries regarding Richard III do not actually cast any additional doubt on the legitimacy of the Queen.
More here.
June 20th, 2015 at 7:35 pm
According to my research on ancestry.com, Henry Carey is my 11th great grandfather, and if the rumor is true about him being the King’s son, I am a living descendant of Henry the VIII in the U.S. in New York! Where’s my castle? Where’s my kingdom? :P
July 11th, 2015 at 6:15 am
Henry VIII would be awesome to have in my family tree but alas, I’m only stuck with King Edward I “Longshanks” through the Gloucester, Bourchier, Page, and Skipwith line. I bet a lot of us are still cousins tho. Hello cousins!
August 11th, 2015 at 12:13 pm
Puzzled, my dad spent about $600.00 in the 1970’s to have our genealogical records complied. King Henry VIII was but one of the royal blood lines listed. True though, doesn’t mean I’m a ‘direct’ descendant.
A big shout out to all my (potential) cousins out there! Cheers!
October 4th, 2015 at 7:59 pm
Mary Boleyn is the direct ancestor along my paternal grandmother’s line. The above lineage (one the first with the Wests, de la Warre, etc.) are instantly recognizable. QE2 and her progeny are cousins. Ironically, my mother bought me a dart board that closes and shows an image of Henry VIII. By the time I realized who it was, I had already become convinced that Henry VIII fathered Mary Boleyn’s 2 kids. Hillary Duff is also a descendant–currently considered the “most royal” actor in Hollywood.
October 4th, 2015 at 11:02 pm
Hi everyone,
I am a descendant of Mary Boleyn through Catherine Carey. Interestingly enough My great grandparents who lived in Pratt, Kansas their entire lives were Talbots. So I have Knolleys and Talbots in my family. My Talbot line has been traced to France & Spain. I have invested in DNA testing also, which confirmed the information passed down through my family.
Hello to all of my fellow Tudor relatives ! :)
October 29th, 2015 at 10:36 am
Richard Edwards was my 11th great grandfather.
I just ran across this a few days ago.
While as mentioned in previous posts, there is no physical evidence to confirm he was the son of Henry 8, the circumstantial evidence and custom of the time are quite intriguing.
There is documented proof that Richard was educated at Oxford at the expense of Henry and received a stipend from Henry while he attended.
Also at about the time of Richards birth Thomas Edwards was gifted by the crown a castle (Edwards Hall) and land in or near London.
Guess I’ll be going to Buckingham Palace and tell those folks to get out of my house!
November 2nd, 2015 at 9:15 pm
According to my cousin, the family genealogist, we are direct descendents of Henry Carey as he was our 13th grandfather. There are many of us which is no surprise as he had many children. Because there is no way to know for sure who his father was, we can go no further in this part of our genealogy. However the research I have done indicates it’s a very good probability that Henry VIII was his father for many reasons that I won’t go into and it makes perfect sense why there was no acknowledgment. It’s interesting though…after all this time my nephew looks just like Henry Carey’s younger portrait. Just amazes me.
January 22nd, 2016 at 4:09 pm
My Royal Lineage:
Mary had daughter Catherine Cary in 1524 (King Henry VIII’s child) Read “The Other Boleyn Girl”
Catherine Carey m. Francis Knollys in 1540 and had daughter Anne Knollys in 1555
Anne Knollys m. Thomas West in 1571 and had a son John West Sr. in 1590-1659 (Gov. VA- 1635 to 1637)
John West Sr. m. Anne Percy and had 3,000 acres WHICH BECAME WEST POINT and had son John West Jr.
Col. John West Jr. of West Point (1632-1689) and Ursula Unity West had son Thomas 1685.
Thomas West, Sr. (1685-1714) and Agnes Frances West (Claiborne) had son Francis 1710.
Francis West (1710-1786) m. married Mrs. Jane (Cole) Claiborne-Bingham 1733 and had son William West Sr. in 1735 or 1740..
William West Sr. (1740-1815) m. Kezia (West) and had daughter Penelope West in TN (1756-1841)
Penelope West m. Mitchell Porter in 1770’s and had a daughter Nancy C. Porter
Nancy C. Porter (1799-d.1883) m. in 1830 to Rev. Ashley Wynne (1801-1866). Had TD Wynne (Thaddeus Datry or Dottery 1834-1905)
TD m. Dialtha Malvina Seaton (1834-1915) TD and Dialtha had a daughter Julia Belle Wynne (1861-July 9, 1960-98 yrs. old)
Julia m. Ashley Wynne Trotter (1848-1918). Had a daughter Lucille Trotter (1893-1982).
Lucille m. Robert Childress (1886-1947). Had a son Robert Childress (1915-1983).
Robert m. Nannette Hutchings (1918-1990). They had daughter Nancy Childress (me)
January 22nd, 2016 at 11:07 pm
Its so funny how so many people need to legitamize their exsistance and at that with royals. These royals were people who in short periods of times inbred, were murderers, had affairs, discard children like u would animals yet they are glorified.
February 3rd, 2016 at 3:48 pm
Feel free to surf to my website where to buy diamonds
online (Claribel)
June 6th, 2016 at 7:33 am
I’m related to King Henry the 8th I don’t know who’s my grandmother?from back in the old days my parents don’t tell me what ancestors I’m related to but I am related to ke I’m related to King Henry VIIIbecause my grandmother said it’s on her side King Henry the 8th is my great great great great a thous end more great grandfather
June 6th, 2016 at 7:35 am
King Henry the 8th have wives in there having kids so you sent him to the country and they had kids there because he didn’t want them to know even though they already knew but he didn’t want anybody else nowing
June 6th, 2016 at 7:38 am
King Henry the eighth had a wife who had kids and he said the wife to the country to give birth to the kids cuz these people already knew but he didn’t want anybody else knowing that he had a wife and kids
June 12th, 2016 at 3:42 pm
Just as Kriss Edwards has previously said, I also believe that my 12th g-grandfather Rev. Richard Edwardes was a bastard son of King Henry VIII of England through a mistress Agnes (Beupine) Blewitt|Edwardes. I’m all for digging Henry up (reverently) and performing DNA tests.
July 19th, 2016 at 1:23 pm
Um this was kinda helpful? I thought it would bring everyone up that has blood relationship with kind Hebert the 8th cuz my grandmother told me before she died that her great grandmothers mother was King Henry’s wife at a time and they had a child together. So I was seeing if I was on the list.
August 3rd, 2016 at 3:35 pm
I, too, am a descendant of Lady Catherine Carey via Lady Mary Boleyn and Henry Vill.
See my family tree at:
http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/24818554/family?fpid=1936637370
And, yeah, was a surprise to me, too. Glad to see so many others descended from the same. Do we have a group we can meet with?
October 19th, 2016 at 11:24 am
I am related to a lot of random people, gosh.
November 21st, 2016 at 12:04 am
I’m another descendant through the Catherine Carey/Knollys/seven generations of Wests et al.
December 3rd, 2016 at 6:21 am
Hello,
I have also been told through Ancestry that I am a descendant of King Henry II. It would be interesting to know how to prove this. Can this be proven through DNA ?
December 31st, 2016 at 10:03 am
We are decentants of henry viii .. We are Willi g to give you DNA.
December 31st, 2016 at 10:05 am
Our line is direct.. His our great x times Grandfather
December 31st, 2016 at 10:16 am
The Windsors will never allow henry Vii to be DNA tested they are to much to loose including the thrown… The Toudor line lives today. They will lie and block.. They will never conceded the thrown
January 3rd, 2017 at 1:00 am
I have gone to get my blood tested multiple times to see who my older relatives were. Each time i went, they told me i am a desendent of king henry VIII and i still have the paper work.
January 10th, 2017 at 5:43 am
It appears that my dad could be a decendant of henry 8th as we are based in the wentworth family ,Clopton family and waldergrave family and Howard family tree ,ive taken this to several historians all have come back saying my dad is cousin to henry 7th and henry 8th via walter Clopton and William Clopton still bloodline we also connected to anne bowelyn through Margaret Wilberforce and Catherine howard through Margaret Wilberforce one of the cloptons johanne married roger beauchamp whos relation to someone whos grandmother to henry 7th which also links us my bloodline can be traced way back as early as 1410
January 10th, 2017 at 5:52 am
Our Tree Goes Like This
Katherine Mylde-William De Tendering
Alice De Tendering-John Howard 1st Duke of Norfolk
Henry Howard-Mary Wentworth
Margaret Wentworth-William Waldegrave
George Waldegrave-Anne Drury
Sir Edward Waldegrave-Joan Acworth our link
Margery Waldegrave-William Clopton our link
Walter Clopton-Margaret Maidstone
William Clopton-Elizabeth Sutcliffe
Joan Acworth was the only Acworth to have a royal title she was king henry 8th private secretary and Lady in waiting to my cousin Katherine howard shes like my 11th cousin as it stands.she was put in the tower of London with Katherine but released and later went on to marry Edward waldegrave also linked to my dad.They had one child in Margery waldegrave who married a Clopton also linking my dad to henry.Roger Beauchamp was the grandfather of Margaret Beuachamp grandmother to Henry 7th so with all these linking up to henry 7th and henry 8th both henrys would have been my great ,great,great,great,great great grandfather which would have made me a prince back in tudor times!
January 21st, 2017 at 4:48 pm
The ongoing tale that Richard was the son of Henry is almost comical. I have yet to find a single individual who has ANY copy or even link to documents showing: Agnes Blewitt was ever a member of court and/or Agnes received a stipend from Henry and/or Richard’s education was paid for by Henry and/or that the family received lands from Henry and/or that Henry authorized (Agnes) to add a rose to their crest or seal. The list goes on. Too many people simply repeat statements all of the above took place only because others say it.
February 12th, 2017 at 1:32 am
The Lady Hughes consults Hector in the Mercenaries’ Bunker, accompanied by Bucta
Wolfpine.
February 13th, 2017 at 11:36 pm
I have also been told we were related to King Henry VIII. But a closer relative is a Lord Anderson Eaton or Eton. He had three sons who immigrated to the colonies and settled in what is western North Carolina, USA. I would love to know the names of the sons. My “Son” married a Cherokee woman named Dorcas who was my grandmother’s grandmother.
December 31st, 2017 at 3:49 pm
After 500 years about 90% of the english population will have some link with royalty.
July 12th, 2018 at 7:25 pm
King Henry VIII is my 2nd Cousin 18 x removed on my dads side
May 31st, 2019 at 2:16 am
Members of my family show the same research pedigree as Nancy Childress from the years 1524-into the 1600s. Also there is a direct link from Edward I, John of Gaunt, thru Sir Thomas Tunstall’s family. They become related to all the Kings and Queens of Europe. There is also a connection between them and Queen Katherine Parr. Also, of interest is that their nephew becomes Henry VIII’s Standard Bearer. The deMandevilles are also forbears of Eizabeth I.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:07 pm
Well, how about King Henry VIII illegitimate children? They may having living descendents
June 11th, 2020 at 11:14 am
My family has traced our heritage back to King Henry the 8th. Last I knew I was still alive
June 12th, 2020 at 8:10 pm
The Knollys down through the Wests married into the Powhatan family, I think Pocahontas’s sister was involved. There was some illegitimacy there also.
September 11th, 2020 at 12:40 pm
Hey mate. I’m kinda puzzled after reading this. You said that King Henry VIII’s children didn’t have kids, but my grandma got a DNA test and it turns out she’s descended from King Henry VIII which means I am as well?
September 15th, 2020 at 2:27 pm
Well, I can tell you that Henry’s three legitimate children died without having kids. If one of them had had a child, it would have been heir to the throne after Elizabeth died.
But DNA tests don’t care about legitimacy. Henry had an eye for ladies not his wife, and its certainly possible he had illegitimate children we don’t know about.
I’m not claiming I know for sure there are no living descendants, only that we don’t know of any.
You can read the rest of the comments in this thread to see numerous challenges to my claim.
September 27th, 2020 at 12:25 pm
Well, here all the way up to 2020 I can say: on a petty side note, sometimes grammar and spelling apparently were not a strong point in a great deal of descendant families, and also, no one seems to have taken into account that the only ones who would have had a fairly good handle on who the fathers were of all those supposed illegitimate children were would be the women involved! And also, Edward II (or III; I get those two mixed up) seemed to have gotten around a whole darn lot too. Somewhere I read that a HUGE percentage of present-day Brits can quite accurately trace themselves back to him. And if you go back far enough, owing to many comprehensive die-offs through the eons, when the gene pool had been whittled down considerably and the populace left couldn’t be too picky about mates, we probably ALL are cousins to some degree. Genghis Khan is another Father Of The World, so claiming to be a descendant of anyone in particular is a fairly likely shot. As one former poster noted though: Why would you necessarily WANT to be related to these people? I’m not particularly proud to be related to some of mine!
October 11th, 2020 at 6:02 pm
Not a single mention of Etheldreda ‘Audrey’ Dingley daughter of Joan Dingley who was Henry VIII’s mistress. Audrey is widely believed to be Henry’s daughter who’s unofficial father was John Malte who was given large gifts of land by Henry. Joan later married Richard Rich father of Sir Richard Rich, Lord chancellor, and is therefore Audrey’s half brother and not daughter as often quoted. I am descended from Sir William Drury Audrey’s husband.
December 18th, 2020 at 11:58 am
I have been trying to find out how many children Sir Thomas Wharton 1587-1622 and Philadelphia Carey 1585-1655 had. Philip 1613 & Thomas 1615 for sure but others also claim John 1617 and Edward 1619. Can anyone tell me what documentary evidence there is for the latter 2 sons?
January 9th, 2021 at 3:56 pm
I’m an American and will safely guess I am not a descendent of British royalty. :) I have thoroughly enjoyed reading a lot of the posts in this thread (sorry, I didn’t quite it through them all) and am proud to be the first 2021 posting. Cheers all and Happy New Year! Since we have embarrassingly enabled Trump to be a total ass and monster perhaps Henry VIII can rest a tad easier knowing he might not look as bad in comparison.
January 9th, 2021 at 10:51 pm
Thank you so much! I recently got into British history because of the pandemic and this helped me soooo much with a question that had been bothering me!
January 21st, 2021 at 11:16 pm
My. Great grandma was 3rd. Cosan of king henry.
January 21st, 2021 at 11:20 pm
She married a monteil and lost her roll. Came to usa. In the 1800,s
February 9th, 2021 at 7:17 pm
I was told by my mother the other day we are descendants of Henry viii also.
February 22nd, 2021 at 12:29 am
Henry V111 is my grandfather via Mary Carey Boleyn according to Ancestry Dna test. I live in Australia & am related via the West Governor of Virginia down the line on my mother’s side. I have been getting matches with America’s first nation people-my grandmother generations back was taken to Wales by the West grandfather. He married her & had children. We are equestrians, all athletes, risk takers and end up in jobs with responsibility
March 9th, 2021 at 4:55 am
As I hold ties to the royal family by blood myself, I understand the decisions that Megan and Harry have made. Similarities between roots, Megan and I hold common relation to Princess Diana Spencer who is my 12th cousin, twice removed.
Meghan Markle is also related to one of the same ancestors I am which is very interesting. I learned this two months ago. Our relation is all thanks to Henry VIII. The American actress, 36, is a descendant of King Henry VIII’s third wife, Jane Seymour, who was a second cousin to Meghan’s 12th great-grandmother.
I loved Diana and saw the battle she fought. We may hear one side of the story on the BBC. I personally, would like our Queen Mother to address some of the concerns. The topic pertaining to concerns of racism must be addressed. I feel that as the Queen and having the opportunity, she needs to address this from a place of love. She also will be using this topic as a way to address the nation and the world. I think it is something she must pray long and hard on before addressing this topic. -Jamie Fletcher, U.S.A. (Macan Leister) Family line House of Levi of Isreal, House of Tudor or Scotland, House of Spencer of Wales, and House of Windsor of England.
June 4th, 2021 at 6:25 pm
My late grandfather was the last direct Layard Edwardes of Chirk from the line due from the Agnes Edwardes pregnancy by Henry VIII during the Boleyn tenure. The families also being cousins. The Welsh Edwardes family were awarded Chirk by Edward III to quell the Welsh and so well appreciated at court. Due to various religious changes which didn’t get out to the provinces quick enough the Edwardes family were removed from Chirk Castle in 1603 by the Star Chamber and the Middletons (no not that lot!) have been there since. Happy to provide MORE dna any time.
June 4th, 2021 at 6:34 pm
Further to just last, the Edwardes family herald is all over Chirk, for those who might deny. I also hold the family shield and original grant of the barony from 1625 for supporting Charles I. My aforementioned grandfather was the third son of the then Lord Kensington. Its in Who’s Who. However the Agnes Edwardes/Blewitt pregnancy has kept Kensington going for centuries. Ahem.
June 28th, 2021 at 9:45 pm
My Mothers 1st cousin (Hardesty) spent 10 years
Doing research on King Henry VIII DESCENDANTS. A lot of PC and paperwork. He did each wife and descendants. I am a descendant of King Henry VIII. I have all the research available.
July 31st, 2021 at 4:56 am
I cannot claim Henry VIII as a grandfather, but I can claim his sister, Margaret, and her husband James Stewart as my 12xGGs. :-) I really think she’s a fascinating lady! I love researching the ladies and finding unexplored family lines. Also, concerning Shakespeare, my Lanier and Bassano ancestors were associates of his. I love reading about Amelia Bassano’s interactions with the bard. So fun!
August 26th, 2022 at 3:39 am
Through My Heritage I’ve found so many interesting ancestors including HenryVIII, John of Gault , Amelia Bassano, Lady Godiva, Pocahontas, Hugh de Lacy, Eleanor of Aquitaine, many French, English and Spanish kings and queens back to the 800s. Some further. I’m glad so many were royalty because the records were there. Some lines Died off some just hit a dead end no records found.
From all this I’ve come to realize we are all really related. Doing my geneology for the last three years has brought me closer to the whole human family! I have Jewish ancestors, Catholic, Muslim, every religion and from most European countries. So I decided to attempt their languages and have happily found many cultural insights through that. Of course languages change over time but it is all so profoundly interesting.
Prost! To my many cousins out there discovering all these things about our ancestors!
November 22nd, 2022 at 10:39 pm
Hello! Hey, does anyone have any York Plantagenet Lancaster roots?