WALTER DE SKEDE found in 1325 Lay Subsidy Roll, North Dorset
THOMAS SHARDE alias Gather found in Document dated 1560.

Bridgwater, Somerset

 
Richard Scard married Margaret Hutland 9th June 1628 St. Mary's Bridgwater [Somerset Marriage pre 1754 [SRO]]
Both assumed born before 1604 [LDS=Scarde] 
Issue;
Mary Scarde baptised 13th September 1629 St. Mary Bridgewater, Somerset  daughter of Richard & Mary!! [LDS] 
Mary Scarde buried 21st December 1629, St. Mary, Bridgwater, Somerset [NBI] [assumed infant daughter]                       
[Bridgwater is near Bristol i.e. 60m WNW of Christchurch near the Devonshire Border]]

Aisholt, Somerset - No Scard Parish Records found [b, d or m]

 Thomas Scard? buried 29th October 1680, Aisholt, Somerset [FHO=Seard]
UNLIKELY: Parish Record reads Thomas Trotte alias Beard or Seard same date & venue. 
Proximity:   Aisholt is 7 miles SW of Bridgewater.

Frome, Somerset - James Scard - born before 1789

JAMES SCARD - OCCUPATION: Shearer.  
MARRIAGE - BY LICENCE  :
James Scard married Mary Cook on the 18th may 1812 John the Baptist, Frome, Somerset 
Witnesses: Jeremiah Gray, Hannah Weaver. 
NOTE: Hannah Weaver also witnessed the marriage of Sarah Cook [assumed sister of Mary Cook]
to William Denning 22nd February 1808 [also by Licence] at the same venue]
The issue of Licence in both the 'Cook' sisters may imply the Cook Family has some degree of affluence.

Issue;  [Triple Baptism] 
Sophia Scard bapt. 1816 Frome daughter of James and Mary - Father's Occupation - Shearer  [Seard]  
John Scard bapt. 1816 Frome son of James and Mary - Father's Occupation - Shearer  [Seard]  
William Scard bapt. 1816 Frome son of James and Mary - Father's Occupation - Shearer [Seard] 

Further Notes:
It would seem on appearance that James and Mary may have lived some distance from Frome, possibly an isolated area
and baptised all their children at the one time.  
Interesting development; 
a further investigation of the Parish Records confirmed the suspicion; 
The search for baptisms of both Mary and Sarah of the same parents revealed that on the
14th January 1804 at the same venue at Frome four similar 'bulk baptisms' occurred for the Cook Family; 
Sarah Cook daughter of William and Sarah - noted aged 14 yrs.
Ann Cook daughter of William & Sarah - noted aged 10 yrs.
Mary Cook daughter of William & Sarah - noted aged 7 yrs. 
Martha Cook daughter of William & Sarah - noted aged 5 yrs. 
The hypothesis of an isolated residence seems more realistic, assuming almost certainly that 
James & Mary Scard took residence with or nearby the Cook Family.
The Cook Family continued;
William Cook had married Sarah Davis 28th May 1787 at Frome.
Witnesses were T. Jones & John Deacon [who witnessed many marriages & considered Church Wardsmen] 
Possible Relevant Tithe: House & Garden; owner Charles BISHOP, occupier William Cook - Keyford Place.

There does not seem to be any burials for either family.
   
[Frome is: 12 miles S. of Bath, Somerset & 7 miles W of Warminster, Wiltshire]
No further entries were recorded at Frome http://www.gomezsmart.myzen.co.uk/  

Compton Dundon, Somerset 

BURIAL
John Scard buried 14th September 1784, 'Infant' Compton Dundon, St. Andrew, Somerset [FHO] 

Child Okeford, North Dorset  WILLIAM SCARD [Yeoman] - born before 1650. 

William Scard, Yeoman of Child Okeford, North Dorset is considered  born around 1650 – 1660.   
William was found in the Apprenticeship Indentures recorded for his son Richard. 
There is also evidence to support that William had another son Robert. 
Apprenticeship Indentures Registered in London;
1703 - Scard, Richard, son of William, Child Okeford, Yeoman, 
to Robert Barrett, 8th April 1703, Masons’ Company.
1718 - Barrett, Henry, son of Robert, citizen and Mason [deceased], 
to Robert Scard, 22nd August 1718, Masons’ Company. 
The usual age for Apprenticeship was around the age of 14yrs to 15yrs usually the former. 
The Indenture ran for seven years. This brings Richard Scard's birth year to around 1689.
The second indenture is interesting.  It implies that Richard's brother was also apprenticed to the same Master 
i.e. Robert Barrett and that before his decease an arrangement had been made for Robert Scard to give Barrett's
son the same opportunity.
Henry Barrett would have been born in 1804 and would have been one year old when Richard Scard was apprenticed. 
Richard Scard would have completed his apprenticeship in 1810. 
His brother Robert Scard's apprenticeship would have preceded i.e. c. 1796 -1803 bringing his birth year to 1782. 
Robert was then approximately 36 years old when he indentured his 'Master's' son.
No records have been found in London for Richard or Robert to date.
However; 
Robert Scard is a prominant name in the Cerne Abbas Scard Branch.
This branch is purported to have been descended from  Walter Scard [[pre 1697-1744], who married in Devonshire 
but died at East Stour, Dorset about 7 miles north of Child Okeford. 
Walter named his first born son 'William'.
Walter is one of the candidates as a possible unrecorded son of William Scard of Child Okeford.

Cann/Shaftesbury, North Dorset  - John Scard - born c. 1670 - Scard Family Module

John Scard married Mary Upjohn by Banns [FHO] on the 6th July 1708 at St. James Shaftesbury.
They had several issue. This Section is too large and a SPECIAL PAGE has been allocated to them.

West Lulworth, Sth Dorset  - Richard Scard - born c. 1688 - Scard Family Module

Richard Scard was recorded as a yeoman.  He married Hannah [nee unknown] & settled in West Lulworth.
They had several issue. 
His son Thomas Scard died testate.
mark of Richard Scard. This Section is too large and a SPECIAL PAGE has been allocated to them.

Sutton Waldron, North Dorset  - Scard Family Module

BURIALS; 
John Skard buried 19th November 1708, St. Bartholomew, Sutton Waldron [Skard] [FHO]
Thomas Scard buried 2nd February 1720, St. Bartholomew, Sutton Waldron [FHO]
Mary Scarde buried 29th January 1723, St. Bartholomew, Sutton Waldron. [FHO] 
St. Bartholomew, stands 2 miles the mean between Iwerne Minster and the small village of Sutton Waldron.
There was an early Family in Iwerne Minster i.e. Thomas Scard born before who died Testate in 1770.  It is not known if there is any connection.
MARRIAGES; Mary Schard? married Joseph Dibben 18th April 1720, Sutton Waldron [FHO]

STOURPAINE, DORSET - William Scard - born before 1700

William Scard married Mary [nee unknown]
Issue; 
SARAH SCARD - Baptised 21st June 1722 - Stourpaine, Dorset   -  daughter of  William & Mary [FHO]
Sarah could have married John Harvey at Blandford, Dorset 1747 see below 

BLANDFORD, DORSET - Sarah Scard - born before 1729 

SARAH SCARD married John Harvey on the 28th Oct. 1749  Blandford St. Mary’s Dorset.  

Sherborne, North Dorset - William Scard  - born before 1733

William Scard was born before 1733 - Married by Licence at Sherborne, North Dorset;  [FHO]
Date:     4th November 1754  Sherborne, Dorset. 
Groom: William Scard, otp [of the parish], Bride: Betty Light, otp - Witnesses:  Richard Stone & John Reeves.

Witnesses:  John Reeves was recorded a victualler in a document dated 15th April 1758 [National Archives Kew - held at DRO] = 1 Doc.
Document 2: John Reeves of Sherborne. - Marriage settlement between John Reeves and Mrs Sarah Cooke of Sherborne, 1781.
Very likely the marriage of his son i.e. Also Will of Sarah Reeves of Sherborne, 1787. Will of John Reeves 1798 - in 1 Bundle.
No connection has been found for John Reeves Snr. and the Scard Family. 
Richard Stone was recorded at Sherborne as a scriviner i.e. a professional drafter of contracts or other legal documents
very likely paid to draw up the Marriage Licence.
 
SUBSEQUENT MARRIAGE - by Licence - Widow/ Sister/Kin 
Marriage Licence: Date: 22nd June 1756 - Sherborne
Groom: Henry Sherman a soldier in the Grenadier Company o.t.p. [signed with his mark X] - Bride: Betty Scard o.t.p. 
Bondsman: Joseph Bowman, Corporeal of the same Company.
Wittnesses: James Hunter & Stephen Bland.

William Scard was born before 1736 - He settled at Kinson & Poole, Dorset. 
He married Honour [nee unknown] before 1757 - had issue. [FHO]
Issue; 
MARY SCARD daughter of William Scard & Honour, baptised 1st January 1758 at Kinson [DOPC].
HONOUR SCARD daughter of William Scard & Honour baptised 7th December 1760 at Kinson [DOPC].
        Honour married Benjamin or Edward Sanders/Landers 'a mariner' 21st May, 1787 
        by whom she recorded one daughter. See below.
Richard and Honour moved to St. James, Poole [4.4 miles SW]  
SARAH SCARD daughter of William & Honour, baptised 22nd May 1763 St. James, Poole [FHO].
JOHN SCARD son of William & Honour, baptised 8th Feb. 1767 St. James, Poole [FHO] 
        John may have died in infancy & taken to Kinson for burial 3rd September 1768 [see list of burials below] 
ELIZABETH SCARD daughter of William & Honour,  baptised 28th Oct. 1770 St. James, Poole [FHO]
        Possibly died in infancy & taken to Kinson for burial 17th March 1722 [see list of burials below] 
Baptism span - 12 years. 

Burials:   William SCARD buried 17th Aug 1766 at Kinson. [DOPC] Either unrecorded child, father or kinsman.
                  John SCARD buried 3rd Sept. 1768 at Kinson [DOPC] Possibly the infant John Scard above or father/kinsman.
                  Betty SCARD buried 17th March 1772 at Kinson [DOPC] Possibly the infant Elizabeth Scard above, bapt. 1770 
                  or sister/mother/kinswoman
Marriages: Honour SCARD 'of Parkston' married Edward Sanders 'a mariner'  21st May, 1787 at Kinson,
                           Witnesses: Margaret Eves and Joseph Mingo.
                           Parkstone is 1mile SE of Poole [St. James] & Kinson is 3.6 miles NNE of Parkstone] 
                           Witnesses:   Joseph Mingo witnessed many marriages during this period at Kinson, he is assumed 
                                                 to have been the Parish Clerk.
                                                 Joseph Mingo had married Honour Burt [widow] 18th May 1788 his witnesses were;
                                                 William Steel & Joseph Seymour . 
                                                 Margaret Eves was married to William Short 10th November 1788 at Kinson
                                                 the witnesses to Margaret's marriage were: Mary Eves and Joseph Mingo.
Baptisms:         Mary Scard Lander baptised 22nd June 1788 at Kinson, daughter of Benjamin and his wife Honour.
                          Very likely 'Sander' consistent with marriage 12months earlier.
                          The name 'Benjamin' cannot be explained except perhaps a transcription error in Marriage or this baptism.  
                          Honour's mother would not be of child-bearing age if remarried.

There were no further 'Scard'  events at Kinson found to date, however there was one event recorded at Poole, Dorset some
thirty years later;  Later 'Unplaced' Documents recorded at Poole;

Joseph Lance vs James Scard - Dated 27th September 1816 -  See Transcription. It is unknown if this is relevant to the family above.

Kinson is 5 miles SW of Poole between Christchurch 6 miles ESE with Ringwood 7.9  miles NE
William may be related to the above James & Mary Scard of Christchurch in that he emulates an 'eldest son' by remaining  
close to the area.  William remained close to the Christchurch area settling firstly at Kinson only 6 miles NW of Christchurch 
and later moving to the busy Coastal Port of Poole a further 5 miles West.  His first born and daughter was also named 'Mary'
also consistent with the above proposed parents.  He is very likely has an early connection to the better known Gosport and 
Southampton, Hampshire Scard Families.  The name 'William' is revered in both these early families.

BLANDFORD, DORSET - Jane Scard - born before 1745.

 DOCUMENT - Bastardy Order - Date: 15th July 1765.
Overseers of the Poor - Forum at the Church of St. Peter & St. Paul, Blandford Dorset. 
Subject: 
Illegitimate child of Jane Scard by Jonathan Crofts, late a soldier          belonging to the Earl of Waldegraves Regiment of Dragoons.
Document not retrieved.    

John Scard married Mary nee unknown
Issue; 
SALLY SCARD Baptised on the 7th January 1770 - Holy Trinity, Wareham - daughter of Mr. John Scard & his wife Mary. 
John held status in the community i.e. 'Mr.' usually reserved for a 'Gentlemen' in other similar records. 

Christchurch Hampshire - James Scard - born before 1706 - Married Mary Hollvey.

Marriage: James Skard married Mary Hollvey on the 26th December 1728 Christchurch, Hampshire. [LDS]
Death:       James Scard buried on the 10th September 1775 at Christchurch, Hampshire [HBI]
Death:       Mary Scard buried on the 20th April 1780 at Christchurch, Hampshire [HBI]
Ages; 
BIRTH:          Based on normal possible earliest marriage age of twenty-one, James and Mary are estimated born before 1706. 
DEATHS:      This would follow that James could be estimated aged sixty-nine at his death and Mary aged seventy-three years at her burial. 
ISSUE:           Thus James & Mary would have had a child bearing period between approximately 1729-1750.        
  
There are two candidates who may very well have been their sons;         
James Scard later of Gosport, Hampshire & Thomas Scard later of Southampton, Hampshire.
Two baptisms found by Barry & Terry Key at nearby Holdenhurst [described further below];

Most Probable Child;
 James Scard ]married Elizabeth Guthridge] at Christchurch on the 6th December 1758 during the lifetime of the former 
James and Mary Scard and at the same venue as their marriage & later burials.
A document considered to have been relating to him gives his age as 47yrs in 1882 - THUS BORN IN 1835.
Second possible Child;
Thomas Scard married Susannah Benness buried in 1823 at the recorded age of 87 years - THUS BORN IN 1837
         
It has long been considered by the writer [in studying the two families] that the two were very likely brothers and that James was 
almost certainly the elder. These two birth dates are EXACTLY the same as two baptisms found by Barry & Terry Key at nearby 
Holdenhurst, the sons of James 'Card';

Other Possible Child;   
William Scard born before 1733 settled at Kinson 5 miles from Christchurch by 1758 then moving to the 
Coastal Port of Poole where he had issue. Follow the link attached to his name for more details. 

Unlikely issue: Richard Scard born before 1740 recorded at Newport [Ship Yards] [near Gosport] at the same time as James [above] - had issue
although the name 'Richard is not linked to subsequent generations at either Gosport or Southampton.
The name 'Richard' may be linked to a possible brother of James i.e. Richard Scard who settled at the Harbour Township of West Lulworth.
 
 THE HOLVEY FAMILY;          
 4)   The Hollvey family were established in Christchurch & nearby Holdenhurst during this era.
 Holvey Burials at Christchurch & Holdenhurst [1 mile] Bishop's Transcripts - some burials were repeated.
                    Source: Hamphsire Burial Index [HBI];
                    Edward Holvey 2nd March 1681 buried at Holdenhurst 
                    John Holvey 20th May 1688 - Christchurch
                    Nicholas Holvey 5th Nov. 1689 - Christchurch
                    John Holve son of John 24th May 1691 - Christchurch
                    Mary Holve [widow] 29th Sept. 1696 - Christchurch
                    [Widow] Holve 11th Jan 1706 - Christchurch
                    Richard Holve son of Richard 15th Oct. 1708 - Christchurch
                    Rogear Holfey 29th Nov. 1721 - Christchurch 
                    Robert Holffey 5th Jan. 1722 - Christchurch
                    [Widow] Holvey 1st Jan 1724 - Christchurch [also recorded at Holdenhurst in HBI]
                    [Widow] Holvey 1st Jan 1724 - Holdenhurst [also recorded at Christchurch in HBI]
                    [Widow] Holvey 9th May 1724 - Christchurch
                    Avess Holvey wife of John 2nd March 1730 - Christchurch [also recorded at Holdenhurst in HBI]
                    Avis Holvey 2nd March 1730 - Holdenhurst [also recorded at Christchurch in HBI]
                    Elizabeth Holvey 12th Feb 1725 - Christchurch
                    John Holvey son of Nicholas 19th Oct. 1729  - Christchurch [also recorded at Holdenhurst in HBI]
                    John Holvey 19th Oct. 1729 - Holdenhurst [also recorded at Christchurch in HBI]
                    Mary Holvey [widow] 23rd April 1728 - Christchurch
                    Nicholas Holvey son of John 2nd March 1730 - Christchurch
                    John Holvey 28th Oct. 1731 - Christchurch
                    John Holvey 8th May 1733 - Christchurch
                    Mary Holvey [widow] 23rd April 1728  - Christchurch  [also recorded as Holdenhurst in HBI]
Some documents are held at Hampshire Record Office URL: http://calm.hants.gov.uk/DServe/;
Will, Inventory & Bond of John Holvey [Holvie] of Holdenhurst 1662 - Relevance unknown. 
Will for Hugh Holvey [Holve], husbandman of Wick, Christchurch 1699 [Hampshire Record Office] - Relevance unknown.

MARY SCARD - Buried 30th May 1720 'wife of John' at Sopley, Hampshire 
Nearest Scard Family Module - Sopely 6 miles south of Ringwood.
MARY SCARD - buried on the 25th August 1754 at Sopley, Hampshire. Possibly an unmarried daughter. 

Portsea, Hampshire -  Richard Scard - born before 1740

Richard Scard born before 1740. He married Sarah [nee unknown] and settled at Portsea Hampshire around the same time as
James & Thomas Scard, of Gosport & Southampton respectively;
Issue;
John Scard baptised 25th May 1764 son of Richard and Sarah - All Saints, Portsea, Hampshire.
         
There were no further entries found for Richard, Sarah or their son John at the present time. 
However there were two entries found recorded for 'Richard Scard' some years later;
Piggot's Trade Directory 1825 - Portsea [Portsmouth], Hampshire; 
Richard Scard - Baker - Newtown.
Richard Scard buried 26th May 1826, 'aged 50 yrs' - All Saints, Portsea.  [i.e. born 1776]
These entries are 'Unplaced' at the present time - It is not known if they are connected.

  
Ringwood, Hampshire - Family Module  

Picking up three possible relevant early fragments;
Mary Scard buried 30th May 1720 'wife of John' at Sopley, Hampshire [Skarde] [6 miles south of Ringwood]
Judith Scard married Thomas Dale 22nd December 1727, Ringwood
Mary Scard buried on the 25th August 1754 at Sopley
Shows early Family Activity in the area.

Richard Scard [born before 1769] married Sarah Stevens on the 15th April 1790 at Ringwood.
[NEW EVIDENCE: Actually Sarah Stephenson - SEE BELOW]

Richard Scard may be the son of Thomas Scard & Jane Lawrence of Mere, formerly of Woodford, Wiltshire [27 miles North]
i.e. Richard Scard baptised 5th May 1764 at Mere. If same he would have been aged twenty-six at his marriage. Also See Somerset Scard Family.

Issue;
William Scard baptised 4th February 1791 at Ringwood.
*Henry Scard baptised 19th January 1804 at Ringwood [see below]

It would appear that Sarah Stevenson was almost certainly Sarah Stephenson;
Sarah Stephenson was born 15th Sept. 1759, baptised 13th Jan. 1760 at Great or upper Meeting or Upper Chapel
Meeting house wood Presbyterian, Ringwood Hampshire the daughter of Joseph Stephenson and his wife Susanna.
This is further substantiated by evidence below.

The Stephenson family moved to Poole, Dorset within three years of Sarah's birth where her three siblings were born;
George Stephenson born 7th Jan 1763 bapt. 18th Jan 1763 old meeting Hill Street, Presbyterian Poole
son of Joseph and his wife Susanna.
Died young.
George Stephenson born 12th Jan 1771 baptised at the Old Meeting Hill Street, Presbyterian, Poole, Dorset
son of Joseph and his wife Susan.
Elizabeth Stephenson born 31st May 1768 bapt. 13th June 1768 Old Meeting Hill Street, Presbyterian, Poole, Dorset
son of Joseph and his wife Susan.

*A Henry Scard born 1804 was recorded was recorded died in Australia in 1857. Indicted at Old Bailey London in 1824 and
recorded transported to Australia 'for Life'. See Unplaced Miscellaneous Items

FAWLEY, HAMPSHIRE - Mary Scard - born before 1765 

MARRIAGE Mary Scard to Thomas Olding on the 10th Jan. 1785 Fawley, Hampshire - no issue found to date.   
No Burials at Fawley for 'Olding' - Nil. [HBI] 
Some Deed articles for Thomas Oldding at Hampshire Record Office. 

GOSPORT, HAMPSHIRE - William Scard - born before 1775 

Issue;
VICTOIRE SCARD baptised March 1797 Holy Trinity, Gosport, Hampshire [LDS]  – daughter of William  
Father may be the same William Scard working for Customs Isle of Wight recorded in the 
Hampshire Telegraph & Sussex Chronicle etc. (Portsmouth, England),      
DATE: Monday July 28, 1823 - Issue 1242.    See Unplaced Newspaper Artices - 1823 - William Scard 

DEVON

Ashburton, Devon - Elizabeth Scard [Scarde] - born before 1760

MARRIAGE:
ELIZABETH SCARD [SCARDE] married William Salter 25th June 1780 Ashburton, Devon
Issue;
John Salter baptised 20th March 1782, Ashburton 
Sarah Salter baptised 29th July 1784, Ashburton

St. James, Westminster, London - Ann Scard - born before 1742 

Marriage:
ANN SCARD to Richard Humphry on the 26th June 1782 St.James Westminster, London. [LDS]
 - Issue unknown.

St. Marylebone, London - Elizabeth Scard - born before 1762 

MARRIAGE;
Elizabeth Scard married John Harvey on the  29th July 1782 St. Mary St. Marylebone Road, St. Marylebone, London 
[also recorded in Pallot's Marriage Index]
Issue difficult to establish.  
Could be the daughter of Thomas Scard of Woodford & Mere,Wilts, whose part family appears to have moved to London  

TRIVIA

Messuage:-  Stour Provost, Dorset;
There are a two references to Schard House found in 1761 and also 1810 regarding a messuage called Shard House in Stour
Provost.  Locations near Stour Provost:  West Stour 1m NW, Gillingham 4m NNE and Shaftesbury 5m E.
A physical trip to this area was made and nothing was known by local inhabitants regarding the ancient property.

' Bloody Shard Gate' :-  Chettle Common - Tarrant Gunville, Dorset:

In Bussey Stool Walk a mile to the north east of the village, what seems to be a local Icon: ‘Bloody Shard Gate’.
Mainly used by locals as a geographical point. Location near Chettle: 7.5m N Shaftesbury.
Folklore:
In 1780 a group of poachers were in armed conflict with local authorities. In the incident one of the poachers
had his hand severed.  The hand not buried with the body of the victim is said to haunt the area. There are no
historical documents nor remains surviving of the Property, which the gate entered.  
The full Legend – by Mervyn Wright. can be found at the Dorset Online Parish Clerk -
URL: www.dorset-opc.com/TarrantFiles/T.Gunville/TarrantGunville%20History.htm

ESSEX An interesting Reference was found in British History Online: Victoria County History of Essex:
  “In the Middle Ages there were four main gates, Head gate and South or St. Botolph's gate in the south wall, North gate,
and East gate. All, except perhaps South gate, were Roman in origin, although Head gate, the principal medieval gate,
may have been just north of the site of the Roman gate: in 1635 there was a house in the corner formed by the wall on
the south and the gate on the east, and no trace of medieval work has been seen in the small portion of the Roman gate
which has been examined.
South gate, if not Roman, was in existence by 1197. In addition to the main gates there were two pedestrian gates,
Schere-gate in the south wall, and King's Scherde or Ryeggate in the north wall. The north postern was recorded in 1240
and was called King's Scherde before 1242; it or Schere gate "which was in existence in the 13th century, had given rise to
the surname de la Scherde before 1254.”   British History Online.

ISLE OF WIGHT A Reference to 'la Scherde and Cheleton' on the Isle of Wight held in 1279–80 by John de Kingston of William Russell.
British History Online.

Chard – Somerset;

The Town Chard in Somerset was once the Ancient Headquarters of Cerdic the first King of Wessex. Cerdic was a Saxon
who entered England around AD495 with his son Cynric, somewhere close to the border of Dorset & Hampshire.
The conquest of the Isle of Wight is mentioned amongst his campaigns.  He advanced into Dorset, Somerset and Hampshire
and in AD519 gained a great victory at Charford.  Cerdic died in AD534 and was succeeded by his son Cynric.
The British Royal Family is said to claim descent from his lineage.[excerpts from Wikipedia].