by J. William Diederich

Every human being has ancestors, the number of which doubles with each preceding generation. Since there are approximately 30 years between generations, the number of ancestors grows rapidly as we go back in time.

For example, if we could trace our ancestors back a thousand years in all lines, we would theoretically have 2,147,483,648 29 great-grandparents. This number is far in excess of the total world population of that time. Obviously, many ancestral lines stem ultimately from a relatively small group of people, and the lines cross and re-cross due to marriages between cousins.

Our most famous ancestor in the early years of the current millennium was Duke William II of Normandy, who invaded England on Thursday 28 September 1066 and defeated King Harold at the Battle of Hastings two weeks later on Saturday 14 October. William the Conqueror was then crowned King William I of England.

This article outlines the ancestry of William the Conqueror and describes the line of descent from him to us.

It was compiled largely from published sources. The information on William's ancestry is taken from William the Conqueror by D.C. Douglas. The information about William's descendants is taken from A History of Monmouthshire by Joseph A. Bradney. The information about Edward Nicholas of Llangynog and his descendants is based on my original research into Welsh and Pennsylvania records.

Rögnvald the Viking was Earl of Möre in the latter part of the Ninth century.

His son, Rolf, was the leader of a band of Viking raiders who, for many years, pillaged Scotland, Ireland, and Gaul. In 911, Rolf was defeated in battle at Chartres. Nevertheless, Emperor Charles III (the Simple) recognized him as a legitimate ruler and granted him and his Scandinavian followers lands in the valley of the lower Seine. Rolf was then baptized by the Archbishop of Rouen. Between 911 and 924, the boundaries of his holdings were substantially expanded to include most of the region that came to be called Normandy-because it was held by the Norsemen. He died before 933.

His son, William, nicknamed "Longsword", expanded his territory but was murdered in 942.

His son, Duke Richard I, fought a long and bloody war with rival Viking bands to retain his inheritance. Richard I died 996.

His son, Duke Richard II, married Judith of Brittany, sister to Geoffrey of Rennes, who was subsequently Count of Brittany. Geoffrey married Richard's sister, Hawisa. Richard's sister, Emma, was the second wife of King Aethelred II of England, nicknamed "The Unready." After Aethelred died in 1016, he was succeeded by King Cnut, and Emma became Cnut's second wife. Emma was the mother of two English kings: Harthacnut, son of Cnut, who ruled from 1040-1042 and Edward the Confessor, son of Aethelred, who ruled 1042-1066. Richard died on 23 August 1026, after a reign of nearly 20 years, leaving six legitimate children, three sons and three daughters. The sons were named “Richard”, “Robert”, and “William”, and the daughters were “Adeliza”, “Eleanor”, and an unknown daughter who died young. He also had several illegitimate children.

Their son, Robert became Count of the Hiemois and established himself at Falaise in 1026. He met Herleve, a young girl of the town and brought her to his castle and slept with her. Her father's name was probably “Fulbert”, a tanner. Robert became Duke of Normandy after the sudden and suspicious death of his older brother Richard in early August 1027.

His illegitimate son, William, by Herleve of Falais, was probably born in the autumn of 1028. At the age of seven, William succeeded his father as Duke William II of Normandy, when Robert died in early July 1035 at Bythinian Nicaea in Asia Minor while returning from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Thirty years later, when Edward the Confessor died, William claimed that Edward had promised him the succession to the throne of England. When his claim was rejected, he obtained papal approval for an invasion of England and defeated King Harold at the Battle of Hastings on Saturday 14 October 1066. William the Conqueror was crowned King William I of England at Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day 1066. In 1053, William married his cousin, Matilda, daughter of Baldwin V, Count of Flanders. Their children were Robert "Curthose," William "Rufus", who became King William II (1087-1100), Henry "Beauclerc", who became King Henry I (1100-1135), and Adela.

Their daughter, Adela married Stephen, Earl of Blois. They had two children: Stephen and Emma. Stephen ruled England from 1135-1154.

Their daughter, Emma, married Herbert Fitz Henry. Herbert Fitz Henry was the son of Henry Fitz Herbert and his wife, Lucy. Henry Fitz Herbert, who became Chamberlain to King Henry I, was the son of Herbert, who was a son of Godwin, Duke of Cornwall, and a grandson of Elfrid, a British nobleman. His wife, Lucy, was daughter and heir to Richard Corbet, Lord of Alcester. By King Henry I, Lucy was mother of Reginald, Earl of Cornwall.

Their son, Herbert Fitz Herbert, became Lord of Dean Forest and Chamberlain to King Stephen. His first wife was Lucy, daughter and co-heir to Milo Fitz Walter, Earl of Hereford and Constable of England by Nest, daughter and heir to Bernard Neufmarché, Lord of Brecknock. Bernard Neufmarché was a grandson of Turchetil, a landowner of Neufmarché in Normandy who was one of the protectors of William II during his adolescent years.

Their son, Peter Fitz Herbert was granted the Lordships of Talgarth and Blaenllyfni by William deBraose. His first wife was Alice, daughter to Robert Fitz Roger of Northumberland. Peter died 1235.

Their son, Reginald Fitz Peter married Joan, daughter to William deVivonia or deFortibus. Reginald was heir to his brother Herbert's lands in Wales and many English counties and died 1286.

Their son, Peter Fitz Reginald married Alice, daughter and heir to Bleddyn Broadspear, Lord of Llanllowel and Beachley.

Their son, Herbert Fitz Peter became Lord of Llanllowel and Beachley. He married Margaret, daughter to Sir John Welsh, a knight.

Their son, Adam ap Herbert became Lord of Llanllowel. He married Christian, daughter and heir to Gwarin ddu, Lord of Wern-ddu.

Their son, Jenkin ap Adam of Wern-ddu married Gwenllian, daughter to Sir Aaron ap Rhys ap Bledri, Lord of Clisaint.

Their son, Gwilym ap Jenkin (Herbert) of Wern-ddu became Master Sergeant of Abergavenny in 1345. He married Gwenllian, daughter and heir to Howel Fychan ap Howell ap Iowerth of Cefn-y-ddwy-glwyd and as a result, became jure ux Lord of Cefn-y-ddwy-glwyd. Gwilym ap Jenkin died 1377.

Their daughter, Gwenllian married Meurig ap Howell Fychan, Lord of Penrhos-Ffwrdios. He was the son of Howell Fychan and Jane, daughter to Jenkin Turberville. Howell Fychan has a long and illustrious pedigree that traces back 23 generations to Caradawg Freichfras, Lord of Gloucester and Fferlis and his wife, Tegau Eurphron,, daughter and heir to King Pelynor. Caradawg Freichfras (it is claimed) was one of the Knights of King Arthur's Round Table.

Their son, Ievan ap Meurig became Lord of Penrhos Ffwrdios. He married Joan, daughter to Llewelyn Fychan ap Llewelyn ap Madog ap Howell Felyn.

Their son, Trahaiarn ap Ievan Meurig became Lord of Penrhos Ffwrdios and in 1454, Steward of Caerlleon. He married Elen, daughter to Thomas ap Bleddyn.

Their daughter, Ann married Gruffydd ap Howel, who was a member of the Welsh tribe descended from Brychan Breckeiniog, a tribal chieftan called the “King of Garthmadryn”, who began his reign about 400 A.D. Brychan had numerous children, most of whom had a reputation for great sanctity. Nine of his sons were said to be saints.

Their son, William ap Gruffydd ap Howell married Margaret, daughter to Gwilym ap Philip (of Llansantffraid) ap Thomas Gwilym Jenkin (Herbert).

Their son, Nicholas ap William ap Gruffydd of Llansoy, gentleman, married Jane, daughter to John ap Thomas (Clifford) of Trostry. Jane was buried at Llansoy on 24 April 1607.

Their son, William ap Nicholas of Llansoy, gentleman, married Catherine, daughter and heir to John ap Harry Powell of Lanpill and Llangynog. This Powell family also traces its descent from Brychan Breckeiniog. By this marriage, the Nicholas family acquired Lanpill and Llangynog (also written Llangunnock). William Nicholas was buried at Llansoy on 1 June 1623 and his wife, Catherine, was buried there on 7 January 1629/30.

Their son, Philip ap William Nicholas of Llanpill, gentleman, married Dorothy George of Dingestow on 29 May 1608. Philip Nicholas was buried on 8 December 1653.

Their son, Edward Nicholas, esq. of Trelech Grange was appointed Sheriff of Monmouthshire for the year 1682 by King Charles II. He married, first, Joyce _____?_____. Edward Nicholas died 18 February 1683/4 and is buried in the chancel of St. Cynog's Church at Llangynog. St. Cynog was one of the sons of Brychan Brycheiniog.

Their son, Andrew Nicholas of Trelech Grange married Barbara, daughter to John Ricketts of Trelech.

Their son, Edward Nicholas of Llangynog married, first, _____?_____ by whom he had at least four children: Henry, Edward, Elizabeth, and Jane. He migrated to Pennsylvania sometime after 1704, but these children did not accompany him. He married, second, Elizabeth _____?_____ Addis, the widow of Richard Addis, who died before 1 October 1711, when his will was probated. Edward Nicholas had at least two children by Elizabeth Addis: Susannah and Anna Maria. On 17 October 1719, Edward Nicholas, his wife, Elizabeth, and her son, Thomas Addis, sold a 34-acre tract on the Delaware River in the Northern Liberties of Philadelphia County to Jonathan Dickinson for 80 pounds. On 14 March 1722, Edward Nicholas paid 252 pounds for two square miles of land on the Schuylkill River in Limerick Township north of Philadelphia. On 14 November 1724, he sold Thomas Addis the upper half of his tract, the parcel furthest from the river, for 126 pounds. Today, the Limerick Nuclear Power Plant occupies the site of Edward Nicholas' land on the Schuylkill River. He died there before 24 March 1746/7, when his will was probated.

Their daughter, Anna Marie Nicholas married, first, Johann Conrad Jost, prior to 1741, probably in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. Johann Conrad Jost migrated to Pennsylvania from Germany about 1737. He was buried 22 March 1760 in the churchyard of Augustus Evangelical Lutheran Church at Trappe, Upper Providence Township, Philadelphia County. She married, second, Frederick Bingaman. She died before 9 June 1780. She had seven children by Johann Conrad Jost and two children by Frederick Bingaman.

Her son, Henry Yost, married Susanna Kieler on 7 December 1773 at New Hanover Township, Philadelphia County. Her parents' names are unknown. He died between 1825 and 1830. Henry and Susanna (Kieler) Yost had at least seven children.

Their son, Joseph Yost married Elizabeth Kepler on 18 November 1798 at New Hanover Township. She was the daughter of Heinrich and Anna Marie (Brandt) Kepler. Joseph Yost died between 1840 and 1850. Joseph and Elizabeth (Kepler) Yost had at least nine children.

Their son, Clifford Yost was born 10 February 1812 at Limerick Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. He married Elizabeth Silknitter about 1836 at Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. She was born 17 June 1817, probably at Lancaster County, daughter to Jacob Silknitter (born Seidenstricker) and his wife, Hannah _____?_____. Clifford Yost, died 2 September 1877 at Lancaster County, and his wife died 17 January 1897 at Caln Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. They had at least eight children.

Their son, William Yost was born 20 March 1839 at Windsor, Caernarvon Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He married Julia Ann Sharp on 13 August 1859 at Spring Grove, East Earl Township, Lancaster County. She was born 30 July 1842 at Philadelphia, the daughter of John and Martha (Hale) Sharp. William Yost died 11 March 1926 at Parkesburg, Chester County, Pennsylvania. His wife, Julia Ann, died 19 March 1929 at Parkesburg. They had eight children.

Their son, William Clifford Yost was born 28 July 1869 at Spring Grove, East Earl Township, Lancaster County. He married Elizabeth Hannah Russell in 1895 at Stuart, Guthrie County, Iowa. She was born 12 September 1876 at Stuart, the daughter of Abraham and Mary Alice (Kennefic-Keenan) Russell. William Clifford Yost died 28 July 1938 at West Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. His ,wife Elizabeth Hannah, died 22 March 1940 at West Des Moines.

Their seven children were:

Charles Clifford Yost who married Margaret Eiden

Alice Florence Yost who married Joseph Charles Diederich

William Abraham Yost who married Marya Bernadette Wunnicke

Martha Elizabeth Yost who married Eugene C. Gray

Mary Loretta Yost who married Vincent Earl Williams

George Russell Yost who married Mary Hunnell

Lawrence Edward Yost who married Florence Edith Goodman

Source:  J. William Diederich, 1 January 1992