Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1895-06-27

'%y''2 W. .54jEg" ~ ~" ioo''he 0o"'s VI
~ W.T. & arms.
ut is surprising to see the number
Of persons that come here to consult
genealogical records" said the custo-
dian Of the Astor library to a New York
reporter. Their numbers have been
greatly increased of late. There Is
hardly an hour in the day that some
one is not porting over pedigrees look
Ing for their line Of ancestry, Part Of
this Is accounted for by the require
ments of the societies Of the Sons and
Daughters Of the Revolution. Members
of these societies must have revolu-
tionary blood. But besides these mod
ern researches there is an immense
amount Of delying into the old Eng
fish pedlgrees."
The same state Of affairs was found
at the other large Libraries Of the city,
and what the librarians say show that
Of late years there has been wonderful
awakening Of interest in the question
Of what blood flows in your veins.
81 think 1t greatly a matter of curios-
ity" said gentleman at the LenoX
library. "Plutocracy has assumed the
place formerly occupied by aristocracy,
and wealth makes blue the palest Of
blood. In public esteem fortune covers
a multitude Of sins in pedigree, and
families possessing it trace their line
age only back to the founder Of the for
tune-sometmes but single genera
tion and sometimes three or four. Yet
there is a growing interest in genoa
logical matters as can see here in the
library; but think it more natural
and commendable desire in persons to
know who their ancestors were than
to claim Norman or any other desired
blood, Every educated man is interest
ed in his pedigree. That's right. There
are many who hope for noble blood
when every evidence of it has disap-
peared in them. AS has been said, they
are like potatoes; the best part is un-
derground."
Sometimes this pedigree business is
a dangerous one, for, though often an
cestors are disgraced by the descen-
dants, frequently descendants are dis
graced by their ancestors:
With the increased interest in pedi-
gree has naturally come an increase in
the business of heraldry. That it is
business is shown by a number Of signs
about the city that read; "Arms found
and emblazoned." I questioned the
proprietor Of one of these establish
ments, and found that he was driving
quite a trade.
There are many persons in New
York entitled to coats of arms who do
not know it, p" he said There has been
an awakened interest in this matter Of
late and l have many inquiries, and
on examination find many interesting
pedigrees Of which no one need be
ashamed. Then there are families who
reach an opulent niche that suggests
the display Of a coat of arms. | have
many calls from such. They want arms
emblazoned, and I have to find them.
I usually succeed. have access to all
of the existing genealogical and herald
ic records, and so trace back the line
until find some fighting ancestor who
had a coat Of arms"
He did not say what the course was
when a search through the genealogi-
cal ashes Of client brought to light
no ancestor who could bestow a sign of
heraldry. Yet clients are seldom dis
appointed for some blazoned animal,
shell, flower, feather, implement Of war,
or a combination Of two or more of
these, is usally found to fit the case.