Surname Saturday - Henry

My surname is now Henry. It hasn't always been. You see I married a man whose last name was Henry back in 1998. It wasn't the first marriage for either of us. And at first I was a wee bit reluctant to even take on the same surname as he had, always waiting for the other shoe to drop, as had become my norm since a failed first [and second!] marriage. But I did. And I am so glad that I did.

Little did I know that I would be taking on the surname, from the same ancestry, as one of my childhood hero's. You see, I grew up in the naval seaport of Norfolk, Virginia. Right in the heart of the birthplace of our nation!

As a young girl I visited Jamestown, Williamsburg, Washington D.C., Yorktown, Richmond, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and so many more places!

But it was the scene of the old church in Colonial Williamsburg, and the re-enactor portraying Patrick Henry, giving his infamous "Give me liberty, or give me death!" speech that made the historic figure one of my hero's! Little did I then know that one day I would be marrying a man who's ancestry lead me to Patrick Henry's uncle. And a shared grandfather!!!

Next week I'll begin posting that surname summary. But for now, I thought I'd share with you the Henry family crest, from England. You see, there are SEVERAL Henry family crests, including France, Ireland and Scotland! Are they real? I don't know. I've been taught in genealogy that most families did NOT have a crest, unless they were quite wealthy. Still, it's fun to view them, tear apart their adornments to determine what each means, and dare to fantasize on their originations!

So, who is the Henry descendant I married???

Would you believe John Henry? [Seriously... that's his name!]

Oh yes, I married myself a man with a real hero name!!! Just goes to show you, a little girls dreams can really come true!

John & Cyndi Henry

February 1998

On our honeymoon at Natural Bridge, Virginia