TO: Ann Crawford Brackett Here is a long-shot theory regarding the name Royal, which runs through out Jennings family as early as the 1700s. The Jennings are supposed to have come from Virginia, possibly Henrico, so I did some research in that area. Turns out I also found many families there named Royall, as well as Isham, another one of our recurrent family name. The Royalls and Ishams intermarried - and supposedly married into the Jennings line on at least one occasion (which would make Thomas Jefferson a cousin of sorts). For example: I found this Henry (Capt.) ISHAM (Sr.) ABT 1634 - ABT 1670 * TITLE: Sr. * BIRTH: ABT 1634, London,Northampshire,,England * DEATH: ABT 1670, Bermuda Hundred,,VA,USA * REFERENCE: 2242 Father: William ISHAM Mother: Mary BRETT Family 1 : Catherine BANKS * MARRIAGE: AFT 1660 +Mary ISHAM Henry ISHAM +Anne ISHAM Catherine BANKS ABT 1638 - BEF 1 Dec 1686 * BIRTH: ABT 1638, Canterbury,Kent,Canterbury Prov.,England * DEATH: BEF 1 Dec 1686, Bermuda Hundred,Henrico Co.,VA,USA * REFERENCE: 2243 Family 1 : Henry (Capt.) ISHAM * MARRIAGE: AFT 1660 +Mary ISHAM Henry ISHAM +Anne ISHAM Family 2 : Joseph ROYALL NOTE BOTH ROYALL AND ISHAM ON THE ABOVE - she married twice. ALSO, THESE WERE BIG NAMES IN HENRICO. I am now trying to figure out where the name STERLING came from, having both a Royal STERLING Jennings and a John STERLING Jennings in the family. Any ideas? Does anyone have any other ideas? I know that some of the Jennings researchers are studying the Bermuda 100 - I haven't seen any links to them, except for these name coincidences. If there is a Hezekiah or Obediah among those 100, let me know. Thanks. Ann Hill