“Royal Bastards” will look at the role of bastardy in tracing genealogical descent from the Kings and Queens of Europe. Many people seek to know if they have royal lineage and forget that bastard lines of royalty also connect us to the same royal families. While in the past many would try to cover up such illegitimate lines of descent, they are very important to the study of royal lines, and in turn, to the ordinary amongst us. This will be a fun as well as deeper look into the closets of our family history.

 

“Irish Research – You’ll be Needing the Luck of the Irish” – Irish research is not for the faint at heart. Surviving records have been diminished by fire and conflict, less attention giving to common folks than those of gentry or money, and other issues. We’ll look at the records, their scope, and some avenues open to us for family research. If you’re up to Irish research you are up for any of your less known lines of descent. We will also touch on some of the issues of Scots-Irish research.

 

The Rev. Dr. Gary Alan Dickey is former (now retired) senior pastor of the United Methodist Church of Westlake Village. He holds the B.A. degree in an­cient history, U.C.L.A.; Master of Divinity de­gree, Fuller Theological Seminary; Doctor of Ministry degree, School of Theology at Claremont; Ph.D., Trinity Theological Seminar. He has been a Certified Genealogist (British research 1700-1900) through the Board for the Certification of Genealogists in Washington, D.C. He also holds an Advanced Diploma in English Local History through Oxford University. He holds an Advanced Certificate in Canadian Records through the University of Toronto and the National Genealogical Institute. He is a member of many hereditary and patriotic societies.