Proving or disproving (more likely) family myths

[SmithyNZ]

Hello,

Greetings from New Zealand.

Amongst family papers I've just received there are two of what I would call "myths" both involving famous historical figures my family is allegedly descended from.

1. Llywelyn ap Gruffyd (pardon my spelling). Can anyone point me to any info re descendants of late 1600s / early 1700s around Newborough, Anglesey by name of John David (b 1725), son of Samuel who might, or more likely not, be in a descendant line of Llywelyn?
2. Does anyone know of stories of an illegitimate child of Arabella Stuart being smuggled out of the Tower of London when she was imprisoned there by Elizabeth1? Once again, allegedly, another branch of the family are descended form that point although how that rumour even arose goodness knows. Pretty hard to confirm I'd say but very grateful for anyrtthing that may help either way.

This forum really helped me out very recently on my Welsh forebears so I've fingers crossed for more success.
Thanks kindly.

[warncoort]

Far better to direct your effort to available records and build your tree based on fact.
In over 25 years chasing family, myths and stories rarely have any basis in fact.

[chempat]

You can have fun researching your myths on the internet. 

'John David (b 1725), son of Samuel who might, or more likely not, be in a descendant line of Llywelyn?'  What does the internet say about that claim?


If they believe they were descended from Arbella/Arabella Stuart, what name was this mythical child given?

[chris_49]

I agree.

Myths can arise quite recently - my familty believed that my great -grandmother Annie Fellowes came from Cornwall to the Wirral. She did not. It turned out to be my great-great-grandmother Ann Hicks (who was Annie's mother-in-law.)

If a myth can arise so recently, how can there be any proof of ancient myths like yours? I find no evidence that Arbella Stuart had a child smuggled out of the Tower. In fact, it seems to have been her husband who was, she was held elsewhere. Llywelyn is known to have had just one child, Gwenllian, who was held by the English and died in a nunnery. (Wikipedia).
 
OTOH if you've ancestors in that part of Wales you're very likely to be descended from Owain Gwynedd (22 known children) as Greg Davies found out on WDYTYA.

[ThrelfallYorky]

Family myths and stories suggesting posh or royal connections where the more recent family is not well-connected are almost always just that!
My aunt was certain that we were descended from "Robert the Bruce" despite every evidence to the contrary, as research into family tree lines showed. She was also convinced that every "Irish" surname that occurred was actually Scottish, as she simply couldn't imagine being related, no matter how distantly, to any Irish families!! Shades of Hyacinth Bucket!!
Oddly, another relative, when we unearthed a distant connection to a quite prominent former Scottish Politician, was so dismayed that she wanted me to "forget it" immediately!!"
-Nowt as funny as folk, is there?
As suggested, work backwards from what you know, and can trace and prove. Much more satisfying in the long run.