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I just ran across an autobiography of a very distant relative (now deceased) who was a respected historian in South Africa, and read some info that has me stumped as to next steps.  In the beginning pages, where authors usually give a short history of their ancestry (always my favorite part), he discusses how our mutual ancestor (b. 1760s Fife - d. 1840s Fife) claimed to be a direct descendant of an earl!  Now I know everyone claims to have royal or noble blood, but our mutual ancestor (a working class guy) apparently tried to prove it and claim the title.  The title was lapsed from the early 1800s through the 1840s, when Parliament gave the title to another claimant, and there was yet another claimant who shows up all over the net as a shyster notorious at the time for forging his documentation and fooling (and bilking) lots of people.  My ancestor apparently got stopped by never being able to find a marriage certificate proving legitimate descent.

There are four possible scenarios I see: my ancestor was another fraud, he was delusional, he was misinformed, or he was right.   Regardless, I would like to find his info, as he currently is the earliest generation I have and I have failed in my attempts so far to push further back in time.  How did this work?  Did he have to submit paperwork (laying out his ancestry) somewhere to try to stake a claim to the title?  If so (and if he actually went through with formally making a claim), how would I be able to get that info (if it still exists)?

Any advice would be much appreciated.  Thanks!

Hello -- I'm looking for information on the names Lindsay and Jackson in Falkland.  I recently discovered that I am descended from John Lindsay (d. April 1847) and Margaret Jackson (dates unknown).  Their son (my g-g-g-grandfather) John Lindsay died in New York City in 1855 and my understanding is that his name and information are on their headstone even though he was buried in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.  Thanks for your help!

Michael W.
Chicago