Charlemagne – 34th Great-Grandfather?

Portrait of Charlemagne (Public Domain)

Sometimes genealogy can be overwhelming.  Of course, I’m all excited about RootsTech being online and all the fantastic activities there.  Meanwhile, I received information from a Swiss genealogist, Patrick A. Wild, that indicated my wife descends from Charlemagne. Could it be true?  I know that lots of people are genuinely descended from Charlemagne. I’ve also heard there are a lot of supposed pedigrees that don’t hold up under analysis.

I do know is that this genealogist focuses upon families of Glarus, Switzerland, which is where my wife’s great grandmother, Bertha Barbara Trümpy, was born. Patrick’s work provides a pathway for lots and lots of “hints” and research opportunities. I know my wife’s 2^nd great grandparents were Bernhard and Bertha (Koch) Trümpi. I wrote about them previously.  I’m pretty sure that my wife’s 4^th great-grandparents were Barnhard and Anna Marie (Durst) Trümpi. Could her 34^th great-grandfather be Charlemagne? Wow, that is such a leap — 30 generations.

So, I’ve tentatively accepted the Swiss genealogist’s work as 156 new hints and possibilities. But, importantly, It will act as a roadmap to follow. Will I run off the road; will I hit a brick wall? Maybe-Maybe Not. But, it is nice to have a destination. To paraphrase the old saying:

I expect this to be a 30-generation, 156 hint journey. I might end up with Charlemagne, but I might just as easily fall off the edge of the earth and learn where the dragons really live.

Anyway, back to RootsTech.