#two maternal uncles one paternal uncle my paternal grandmother and both parents

[never-quite-buried]

One of the hardest things about growing up is navigating adulthood dynamics to my immediate family.

Like Im mending my relationship with my dad, a relationship which is good as dead for my siblings, however while he was actively abusive to my brother, his step son, my brother is still more willing to interact with him than our shared mother, who he has been No Contact with for about 14 years now.

Meanwhile I have an actively positive relationship with my mom while my sister is at the point of sorting retirement homes by rating: lowest to highest.

At the same time i am personally still No Contact with my brother and have a super close relationship with my sister and she is super close with our brother.

And somehow all us siblings are able to manage these boundaries and limits in far healthier ways than our fore generation (my dad going on facebook spiels about being the black sheep of the family, mother not talking to siblings at all and only SM usage being links to external sources) and with more respect for each other’s situations. Like it’s HARD sometimes but i think at this point we know that the hard work is worth it. Im so grateful to be a sister to these two incredible people.

[pargolettasworld]

On the Ashkenazi naming tradition thing, and the absolutely hilarious way it worked out for me and my sister:

I'm the big sister, so I got the primo pick of names. For my first name, I'm technically named after my paternal grandmother, who was safely seven or eight years dead before I was born. (For the record, my dad tells me I look a lot like her, too.) My middle name is the feminine form of a great-grandfather's name -- but is also the name that my late aunt who was living when I was born went by, but as far as the records of the Angel of Death are concerned, it's Grandma Pargoletta and Great-Uncle Mumblemumble all the way.

Four and a half years later, my sister is born, and there is Deep Research being done into what to name her.* Issue Number One is that Maternal Grandmother was still alive -- Daughter #2 can't be named after her. Issue Number Two is that Maternal Grandmother's name was just not something that you could expect to give a child born in the year my sister was born. Issue Number Two Point Five was that Maternal Grandmother also really loathed her name, and would not have been happy to see a grandchild have it. My mom's very clever solution to this was to ask Maternal Grandmother what name she would have liked to be called, and that (with a bit of spelling noodling) became my sister's first name.

BUT.

Issue Three was that this baby (Baby #2) had a Big Sister, and Big Sister really wanted to be involved in naming the baby. I had a little friend who had acquired a baby sister a year earlier, and I thought that this was the absolutely coolest thing ever. Friend had a baby sister named $NAME, and I wanted a baby sister named $NAME, too! My mom, continuing to be clever, realized that this would be Dumb™, since those two little girls would grow up as playmates, and they should not have the same name.

But Baby Pargoletta insisted. And Baby Pargoletta -- unbeknownst to her at the time because she was four -- had a fantastic little Ashkenazi loophole on her side.

See, when Ashkenazim name a kid after someone, it doesn't have to be the same name. It totally counts if you use a different name that starts with the same letter as the original name. And my mom and dad had been thinking about middle names for my sister, and they wanted to honor an ancient, presumably deceased aunt who (like Maternal Grandmother) had a name that was so out of fashion that it would be cruel to give it to a child. They were at the point of looking for more contemporary names that started with the same letter.

And my little friend's baby sister, $NAME? That $NAME started with exactly the right letter. So my parents had their same-letter-but-more-contemporary name, I got to have the name that I really liked be part of my sister's name, Ashkenazi tradition was fulfilled, the Angel of Death got thoroughly bamboozled, and everyone was happy, except for a few months when my sister was like twelve and for some reason really wanted to be called "Christina," until we took her aside and pointed out how badly that name clashed with our very Ashkenazi last name. She's fine with her current family-names-with-alterations moniker now.

*I should probably mention that, for various reasons, both my parents really wanted girls, to the point where they just could not get their act together on boy names -- like, they went into the delivery room still arguing, both times. Fortunately, they had girls both times!

[larmegliamori]

Yu-Gi-Oh OC Week- Day 2: Family

@ygoc-week

Oh boy, this is gonna be a ride!

CW/TW for mention of smoking and parental abuse.

This may or may not come as a surprise, but Hoshiko has lost both her parents very early in her life. She lives in a small mountain town called Yukishima (a couple hours from Heartland City) with her paternal grandparents, who love her to the moon and back reciprocated.

Tsumugu Kazama, her grandfather, is 75 years old. He's been an astrophile all his life, living off researches and various collaborations, but never had a stable job. This made him quite the stay-at-home parent and the figure Hoshiko looked up to the most. Even now that he's retired, he's still looking at the sky with his telescope and, past his grumpy first impression, he's always willing to lend an ear to his beloved granddaughter. There's a strong resemblance between them, both in appearance and in personality.

Sakura Kazama (born Watanabe), is the ever-cheerful and sporty grandmother. At 72 years old, she still spins around her house, the neighborhood (and sometimes the city) like she did in her youth. She was a certified karate instructor and basically the breadwinner of the household. She has a fiery temper and taught her granddaughter all she knew about self-defence. Now that she's retired, she keeps active and lives spoiling all her friends with her delicious cooking. She loves to have people around and she's known for her hospitality.

And, if you wanna delve into “spoiler” territory...

Jun'ichiro Kazama was Tsumugu and Sakura's only son. He worked as a nurse and met Ayumi when she started living with the Kazamas. The two rapidly fell in love, married, and lived together for 6-7 years. He died in mysterious circumstances when Hoshiko was two years old, and his parents miss him terribly. They describe him as an unusually kind and sensitive young man, who would do anything for his loved ones.

Ayumi Kazama (born Hayashibara) is Hoshiko's late mother. Hoshiko doesn't really know much about her: she came to Yukishima when she was about 24 years old and lived with the Kazamas up until her death in childbirth at 33 years old. She earned her living as a book translator. She was described as philosophical, brooding and having a pessimistic outlook on life. She used to be a smoker. (Later on, it turns out she had been constantly mistreated by her birth family and, once she had reached the right degree of autonomy, she fled from home.)

Midoriko Hayashibara (born Yamada) was Ayumi's mother and therefore Hoshiko's maternal grandmother. She only knows her as a stiff, stern, pragmatic woman, only devoted to the household but never *that* concerned about her two children.

Hideaki Hayashibara was Ayumi's father and Hoshiko's maternal granfather. He's described as a wealthy and cunning businessman, but absent towards his wife and children, and a lover of earthly pleasures.

Last but not least, Akihiko Hayashibara is Ayumi's older brother and Hoshiko's long-lost uncle. He was kind of distant towards her sister and grew to regret it later in life. He inherited his parents' business and business acumen, but has become a better person than them. He's happily married and has two twin daughters.

My first ideas (and fanfic) only kept Sakura, Tsumugu and Akihiko alive, but that might change if I'll ever rewrite Hoshiko's story. I'm just a sucker for family drama...

[noratilney]

anyone want to help me sort out fancasts for my lockwood girls?

i need three and i really would like ideally for them to look both enough like each other to look related and some semblances of similarities/appearance to either michael trevino or sofia carson (again both would be ideal but idk how realistic that is)

these would be for the girls as teens/young adults, although given that their births are far off, much younger fancasts might be useful too…

brief bios:

marisol isabella - the oldest, born c. 2021 as she’s ten years younger than di (lol although it’s an alternate one without covid, decidedly), she was named in honor of her paternal uncle mason lockwood and maternal aunt liz forbes by her parents, soccer player, very take charge and charismatic, she’s particularly close to her aunt alicia, nicknamed “mari” by her parents and “maisie” by carly who couldn’t yet manage her rs, both nicknames have stuck although mari is used more so by her family

carlota thais - the middle child, born c. 2023 (gasp, that’s next year, what is time), a typical middle child in a lot of ways, the “unsporty one" of the family, she often feels as if she doesn’t belong in her family and holds on for dear life (emotionally speaking) to the things she does share with them such as doing puzzles with her mom, a voracious reader she taught herself to read at age three because she didn’t like being left out, she is named for her paternal grandmother carol lockwood, she's particularly close with her aunt bonnie, nicknamed "carly"

daniela beatriz - the baby, born c. 2025, extremely stubborn and dedicated to the things she cares about, a committed ballet dancer and ice skater, she was named for her maternal grandfather danilo cardenas orozco which makes her the only lockwood child whose namesake is still alive (🙃), she’s particularly close with her aunts caroline and emmie, nicknamed “dani”

so fancasts:

i like allegra acosta and fiona palomo, i think they look believable like sisters and bear some semblance of similarity to sofia carson and michael trevino but i am lost at finding a third fancast that works with them and i’m not actively looking for one of the sisters not to look like the other two (though i know that can happen irl), so i’m not married to using them

becky g could work, in particular i think she has a similar look to sofia carson but she’s like heavily made up in the vast majority of her photos at a cursory glance and that’s not a look that fits what i’m going for, i don’t want to be searching for three photos that work out of like thousands that don’t

ahhhh help, what do i do

[tarilyn22]

Haitian-American

Background Information 

My mother was born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Her father and mother were born and raised there as well as she did. My mother's name is Johane and my father's name is Johny. She excelled in school and took dance very seriously when she was younger. My father was born and raised in Haiti I'm unsure of what city or town he lived in; his parents are also from Haiti. My parents are currently divorced and are co-parenting. I identify myself as Haitian- American. I was born on October 15 in Queens, New York. since I'm mixed Haitian and African American, I like to embrace both sides of myself. I resemble my father more than my mother. When my mother and I walk together you wouldn't even think that we are related.  

Maternal Family 

My maternal family came to this country a long time ago. My grandparents were the first to move to the states in 1981, while they left my mother and her brother (my uncle ) in Haiti with my great uncle (grandmother's brother ) and his wife and kids. My grandma lived in Colorado and finished her schooling there. She wanted to be stable and have papers for my mother and uncle so she can move them to the USA. My maternal family was eager to move out of Haiti for the finer things in life, and more opportunities. One trait my family displays is our nose and our forehead. It's either we have a tiny nose or a big forehead, I land on the big forehead category.

Maternal American Nationalism

My family has been here for a while but they still keep the Haitian tradition. January 1, is Haitian Independence day and also New Year in America. Every year it's a Haitian tradition in my family to have a gathering and eat soup Joumo. “Joumo “ is pumpkin soup in creole. The soup is mainly made of pumpkin, vegetables, and any type of meat. We celebrated American holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, and juneteenth. My family and I are family oriented, i enjoy spending quality time with them. 

Paternal Family 

My mother came to America when she was 11 in 1988. My family is mainly Haitian and are American citizens. My mom and father had me in their mid-20s. my father had two kids prior to me. my mother went to college and got her bachelor's degree and then, got her master's in social work. my father has been working in the MTA for five-plus years. I have 1 sibling on my mother's side, and 3 siblings on my father in total I have 4 siblings. My parents named me “tarilyn “ because it's a unique name.    

Paternal American Nationalism 

My paternal family got used to the American way of life because they have been in America for a while. they always make sure that I stayed in touch with my roots. My mom always makes home-cooked Haitian dishes so my sister and I can get accustomed to the culture. We enjoy listing to Haitian music in the house. To this day my family still tries to force me to speak creole to them but I always refuse; I get embarrassed when I attempted to, but I understand the language very well I respond in English to continue the conversation. They make sure my culture doesn't get lost since I was born here. 

[toverijenspokerij]

Just a thought

Traditions around pregnancy, birth and new born baby's serve the function of blessing, protecting and bringing a new life into a family. But also the joining two families in a very practical and physical way. Something that can never be untangled. I don't particulary envy parents-to-be since there are many, many, points on which this process can spark or uncover family feuds/resentments and long standing negative pattern. Which can simmer on for decades and be brought up at any chance or moment that emotions run high.

I've seen it happen with several friends, and it will always be ugly. And a baby bearing the brunt of such an energy is heartbreaking.

So I suggest the following: don't be aloof or think too easily about such things. Literally make a plan with your partner- write it down -on how you want to navigate this. And, in a perfect way, include parents from both side once you and your partner have a plan. But what plan? Well your babyshower/genderreveal/birth and baptism!(and godparents) Having clear the what, when, who and how makes this easier to navigate. And it can be more of a guideline than rules set in stone. Parenthood seems hard enough as it is! Add some serious evil eye to it, is the last thing you'd want.

Anyway it is better to work out any kinks in communication before your baby is born than to smooth things over once it is born and one side of the family lays their grievances on the table. You do not want anger or resentment flying around when you have a new born in the house. Both families may have customs and rituals that need to be heard. Though as Le Parents of bèbè, you will always have the final word in what happens. The benefit of making a plan and then hearing the maternal and paternal side of the family, is that you are making an active effort to include them. You can, up to a point, alter things. Or discover that the plan you both made, is something that does justice to you both, the baby and both families. Do note that making people feel included is something different then abandonding your boundaries and becoming the pacifier between two families. By having a plan, and being in communication about is, you take the reign and have the final say as parents.

With whatever you plan on doing, make sure that there is one person, pref family or a trusted friend/person who is the godparent and with magical skill that keeps an eye on the magical side of things. A small blessing/protection charm, a general cleansing and blessing of the house before a babyshower/genderreveal/whatever. And do keep your own magical routines.

Further,

- Keep an keen eye on the caul if your baby is born with it. It might sound crazy, but have a plate set aside for it. And make sure, if your baby is born with a caul, it is taken off by a parent and placed there on the plate. Press it asap between some paper towels and heavy books. Why? A caul brings luck, wealth and health. As well that to some people it brings luck with gambling. But this will take luck, health, etc from the baby. And that isn't what you want. When my uncle was born, the midwife took his caul- my grandmother never got it back -and he has been unlucky all his life. Keep it in a safe place and give it to your child when they turn 18.

- The baptismal candle; keep that thing safe like it is made of gold. I don't care how, just do it. Extreme temps alter the shape of the candle so keep it somewhere in the house with a consistent temp. Keep it in a vault for all I care. I would, actually, keep it in a vault.. Why? I've written about these candles before and you can look it up. But also give this candle to your kid when they move out. And by that I mean when they get their first appartement/house. Not a student dorm, etc.

Anyway just some morning musings!

[lea-heartscxiv]

吉田家族『Kitta Family』

First Name: 瑠 (Ryuu)

Last name: 吉田 (Kitta)

Job: Writer

Ryuu is Ryuuya's biological father.

He lost his wife when Ryuuya was barely 6 years old, his parents didn't agree with him raising Ryuuya by himself and his in-laws didn't agree either, and even less now that he's with a man together, his parents and in-laws are totally against this union. Ryuu and Tatsu met in a bar while Ryuu was bartending and from that day on they became friends, Tatsu was the best man at the wedding and when Ryuuya's mother was about to die she made Tatsu promise never to leave Ryuu, she knew what it was like to be in love and she knew that Tatsu would be a good father to Ryuuya.

Tatsu and Ryuu were by Ryuuya's mother's side until the last moment.

Ryuu and Tatsu are very protective parents. Ryuu loves videogames, it's weird that Ryuuya doesn't like it having two dads who like videogames, well maybe Ryuuya has seen them play videogames so much in their spare time in family that he has become bored with it.

First Name: 竜矢 (Ryuuya)

Last name: 吉田 (Kitta)

Occupation: High School Student

Ryuuya is the pride and joy of his parents, he's a very studious boy, he does his homework as soon as arrives at home, no teacher has called his attention and his grades are very good.

Both Ryuu and Tatsu tutor him at home, they're both good parents and teachers to Ryuuya.

He knows that his paternal and maternal grandparents don't agree that his father is with a man, he thinks that his grandparents are not right as he sees his father very happy and his mother agreed with both of them, therefore his grandparents don't understand about real love, but about gender, he thinks it is nonsense that he should have a "mom" and a "dad", he was very lucky to have a dad, a mom and another dad.

Ryuuya has a neighbor named Icaro, besides being his neighbor, is his best friend and his boyfriend.

He likes to be naughty with Icaro, has a lot of fun with him, and Icaro teaches him a lot about constellations and legends.

Ryuuya is a big fan of legends and mythology.

He doesn't like pastries, but he does like to eat them.

First Name: 健 (Tatsu)

Last name: 吉田 (Kitta)

Job: Journalist

Tatsu was studying journalism when he went to the bar where Ryuu worked, at that time Ryuu was writing books that some of him sent to publishers, to try his luck.

Tatsu from the moment he met Ryuu he fell in love with him, but Ryuu had a fiancée and they were thinking of getting married, therefore he didn't reveal anything of what he felt towards him.

As time went by Ryuu and the woman got married and Ryuu asked him to be the best man, a few years later Ryuuya was born and he was the uncle Tatsu for Ryuuya.

Ryuu's wife and Tatsu had a great friendship from the moment they met, one day when Ryuuya was 1 year old, she was looking very sad to the little boy and Tatsu asked her:

Tatsu: What's wrong with you, is he growing up too fast?

Her: Not as much as I would like.... -she answered with a sad look.

Tatsu: Come on, it's not like you are going to die tomorrow.

Her: Not tomorrow, but the doctors told me that I only have 2 or 3 more years to live.

Tatsu was very serious and held her hands and said:

Tatsu: What do they know, I'm sure they're wrong and you will be able to see this little guy be a man and he's going to make you a grandmother and everything.

Her: Promise me you won't tell Ryuu about this, he doesn't know anything and I don't want him to know until my time comes. Promise me?

Tatsu: I promise.

But the doctors weren't wrong that she would die, although in the years she was, as she could see Ryuuya reach the age of 6 years old. When she was about to die wanted to talk to him alone, she told him that he should take great care of Ryuu and that he had to make him very happy as much as she did while was with Ryuu.

Tatsu didn't know what that was about, but she told him: I know what it's like to be in love with a person who sees me as a good friend.

As time went by Tatsu and Ryuu started to fall in love, and Ryuu confessed to Tatsu that he was bisexual that he hadn't always been attracted only to a woman, and that he liked him but didn't know if that would hurt their friendship, as he was afraid that he didn't feel the same way.

For him, a sports videogame is perfect, since it would combine the two things he likes: videogames and physical exercise.

Tatsu has a tattoo on the back of his body above his butt.

Ryuuya was created on August 16th, 2018.

Ryuu and Tatsu were created on April 30th, 2022.

[gryffindordaughterofathena]

ABOUT HER PAST

☞︎︎︎MEET MY MC

♕︎𝔸 𝕃𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕠 𝔻𝕚𝕒𝕟𝕒'𝕤 ℙ𝕒𝕤𝕥

❁ Diana Ramirez is the daughter of Indrani Mitra Ramirez and Stephen Ramirez. She is the eldest child, her brother Daniel Ramirez is two years younger than her.

❁ Her dad, who had a very estranged relationship with his father, lived in Dehradun, India with his uncle and aunt and later worked at Calcutta University, It's there where he met her mom. Diana was born in Kolkata and they stayed there till she turned sixteen. They had to return back to Chicago when Diana's paternal grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.

❁ Diana has a very close relationship with her mother's side of the family but her relationship with her dad's side had always been strained, mostly because she's biracial and also because of her father's already strained relationship with his parents.

❁ Di, still makes it a point to visit India once every year, the only exception was during her second year, when she was still recovering from the attack.

❁ Deeper into her relationship with Ethan, he tags along with her in those trips, Di's grandmother is quite fond of him.

❁ As a student, Diana had always been moderately studious. She would study when required and also spend time on co-curricular activities.

❁ Never much of a party person, her student life involved mostly late night library runs for books on her latest obsession, hanging out with her best friend Valerie and obliterating competition in the debate team.

❁ She has had three relationships before Ethan, only one amongst them being something close to the relationship between her and Ethan.

❁ Her med school boyfriend, Dr. Arjun Ghosh parted with her on friendly terms, he was her only serious relationship before Ethan.

♕︎𝕊𝕠𝕞𝕖 ℝ𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕠𝕞 𝔽𝕒𝕞𝕚𝕝𝕪 𝔽𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕤

❀ Diana's parents, Stephen and Indrani are both teachers at the University of Chicago, where they teach History and Psychology respectively.

❀ Diana's brother, Dan, starts his Paediatrics Residency at Edenbrook in Diana's third year. During which he gets to know Sienna quite well (Diana is thrilled about that)

❀ Di's maternal grandfather passed away when she was just two. She doesn't remember much about him except for the stories she heard from her grandmother about how alike the two of them are.

❀ Both Di and Dan have Indian middle names, both given by their grandmother. Hence, amongst their family at India, they are Torsha and Stotra respectively.

❀ During the first sixteen years of her life, Diana was attached to the hip with her cousin Astha, they still have a very close relationship and are partners in all sorts of adventures whenever the girls are together.

❀ Di is closer to her mom than she is to her dad.

❀ Dan was the first person in her entire family to support Diana's relationship with Ethan. He is now a very good friend to Ethan.

❀ Di shares her love for Indian cuisine with her Uncle Arun and both of them have epic chess matches whenever they meet.

[Once again Tumblr hates me, please click on the photos]

Taglist

@genevievemd @jamespotterthefirst @drariellevalentine @rookie-ramsey @aleynareads @openheartfanfics @miss-smrxtiee @terrm9 @aestheticartsx @fireycookie @maurine07 @starrystarrytrouble @schnitzelbutterfingers @tsrookie @anntoldstories @iemcpbchoices @stygianflood @sophxwithers @actuallybored @iloveethanramsey @natureblooms24 @chemist-ana @mercury84choices @casey-v @uneravine @mm2305 @mrsethanfreakingramsey @smilex1104 @missmiimiie @shanzay44 @sweetheartdetectivex @potionsprefect @headoverheelsforramsey @jerzwriter @mainstreetreader @coffeeheartaddict @adiehardfan @mia143 @kdjdhdvksojs

[dragonmartellstark]

The couple had three children, but also a large number of grandchildren:

Loreza Hightower- she was Lady of Highgarden by marrying her cousin, Willas Tyrell. She was considered beautiful with long brown hair and bright eyes inherited from her paternal family. She is sweet and adventurous being a very pretended young woman, but her parents wanted a good marriage for her.

In 289 a. C., a marriage was negotiated between the heir of Highgarden, Willas Tyrell and Loreza, both were 15 years old when the agreement was signed and the girl undertook her journey to Altojardín where she was well received by her mother-in-law and aunt, Alerie Hightower and her mother-in-law, Olenna Redwyne. The wedding took place in 290 a. C., Willas treated his wife with respect whom he quickly fell in love with and Loreza loved him too.

Loreza gained the appreciation of her brothers-in-law, Garlan and Loras, but she had a tumultuous relationship with her sister-in-law Margaery, both had a certain rivalry and used to criticize each other. It wasn't until Margaery was engaged to Lord Jaime Lannister and had to leave for Casterly Rock, great news for Loreza that she only saw her sister-in-law on a few occasions.

In 310 a. C., her mother and her daughter, Jeyne, passed away, these deaths being a great blow to Loreza that she never recovered from the loss of her beloved mother and her little girl. In 311 a. C., her father-in-law Mace Tyrell and her father, Baelor Hightower, pass away, being another blow after the sudden death of her mother and daughter. Loreza and her husband become Lords of Highgarden. In the role of her as Mistress, she was an animal lover building some shelters, she also helped her husband with some problems in politics by achieving an alliance between the Tyrells and the Freys.

In the year 331 a. C., Willas Tyrell died after a hunting party and her death destroyed Loreza even more, plunging into a great depression for losing her parents, her husband and her young daughter, closing herself in herself. Two years later, Loreza, sick with tuberculosis, fearing for her life, and two months later, she died at the age of 59.

Willas Tyrell- He was Lord of Highgarden and Lord of the Domain at the death of his father, being considered a generous man and breeder of all kinds of animals.

He married Loreza Hightower, her maternal cousin, and he had a happy marriage with her, both of them very much in love with each other. Loreza was of great help to Willas with some alliances with other royal houses, among them the Freys.

Mace Tyrell passed away in 311 a. C., becoming Mace the new Dominion Lord. His lordship was called "kingdom of fauna" because of the breeding of hawks, horses and other animals that Willas and Loreza were raising. He also stood out for his commercial relations, reaching a peace with the Lannisters after the marriage of his sister, Margaery with Jaime Lannister.

In 331 a. C., after a hunting party with his sons, Willas' horse had a terrible fall and the man was left under the horse that broke several bones with the weight of him. He was rushed to his home where within hours he died from his injuries at 57 years of age and his wife, Loreza, would pass away just two years after he was buried together.

The couple had six children and only one would die in infancy:

Lady Alerie Tyrell, she was the second wife of Alyn Ambrose with whom she had three children. Five years later, she was widowed and married Lucas Tyrell, with whom she had two daughters.

Lord Lambelle Tyrell, was Lord of Highgarden after the death of his parents and also Counselor of the Edicts of King Rhaegar I Targaryen. He married Walda Frey "la Blanca" and they had two children.

Lord Donnel Tyrell was Lord Consort of the Blackcrown when he married Alysanne Bulwer and with her he had ten children, the first five of which bore the surname "Bulwer".

Olenna Tyrell, she was lady of the Arbor by marrying Horas Redwyne, her cousin whom she hated and they had no children. Olenna widowed in 319 a. C., and she married for the second time with the somewhat older Ronnet Connington being a better marriage and they had three children.

Elia Tyrell, was Septa of the Faith of the Seven in Antigua.

Jeyne Tyrell passed away in her childhood the same year as her grandmother, Elia Martell of her being buried alongside her in Oldtwon. 

Manfred Tyrell- He was Lord of the Oldtown after the death of his father. He was known as a Dornish-looking but very attractive young man, captivating many women who wished to marry his.

He married Desmera Redwyne in 299 a. C., both got along well even though there was no love between them, but Manfred always had his wife in mind for everything, being his great support both at work and in personal life. During her marriage she had a few lovers, but the most famous was Walda Frey "The Beauty" who was Walder Frey's great-granddaughter and she was with her for two years, but Walda was engaged to another man ending her romance.

Manfred kept in his protection some artists including painters, dancers, actors and writers achieving a cultural impact in the Domain. He was also known for his conflicts with the Faith over different religious issues such as the priests or the followers of the God R'hllor whom Manfred accepted into his court for a few years.

Manfred's life had a severe setback when in 320 a. C., her wife, Desmera Redwyne, died of an infection after cutting her hand with a hunting arrow. The death of her wife was (surprisingly) a severe blow to the Lord of the Lighthouse and he went so far as to tell Maester Normund Tyrell how much this death affected him, referring to her as "my sweet and brilliant Desmera." Thirteen years later, his older sister, Loreza, would die another hard blow for him.

Manfred Hightower would end up dying in 339 a. C., with 61 years of respiratory attacks in his bedroom. He was buried alongside his parents and his wife.

Desmera Redwyne- she was Lady of the Oldtown by marrying Manfred Hightower who was one of her distant cousins. The engagement was made in 297 a. C., and the wedding was celebrated two years later in Oldtown being a colorful ceremony. The couple liked each other from the first moment and had a great friendship, although they never became in love, but it is known that Manfred came to show affection to his wife.

Desmera did not get involved in the lordship of Oldtown only dedicating himself to gardening, sewing and her children who little by little were reaching the world. The lady of the Lighthouse was little known, but those closest to her describe her as charming, maternal and calm, even her husband described her as sweet and conciliatory being her shoulder to cry on.

Her life remained quiet until one day in 320 a. C., while she was in a hunting party with her husband and her children, Desmera was wounded with an arrow in her arm, bleeding a lot. The maesters looked for a way to help her by closing her wound, but her seams were badly done and she opened again bleeding more. In the end, Desmera Redwyne died that same year of a wound infection, at the age of 37. Her death was a severe blow to her children and to Manfred who did not remarry, keeping the memory of his wife and his best friend.

Desmera bore Manfred three healthy children:

Lord Garmond Hightower, was Lord of the Lighthouse, of the Port and defender of the Citadel at the death of his father. He married Janei Lannister three times, who gave him a daughter; He in second marriages with Jeyne Westerling without children and in third marriages with the widow Joyeuse Erenford with her he had two sons.

Lady Lily Hightower, married Martyn Lannister and with him she had a daughter, Rowena.

Lady Minisa Hightower, remained single, became elderly and was the caregiver of her nephews and great-nephews.

Addam Tyrell- she was the right hand of her older brother Manfred hers and a skilled banker managing to create her own bank, but it was sold after only three generations.

At first, he wanted to marry one of his cousins, Elinor or Alla Tyrell, but they were already engaged and his cousin Megga Tyrell remained, who was stout and unbearable singing, but he agreed to marry her because according to her uncle, Humfrey Hightower : "Fat women are more pleasant." The wedding took place in 300 a. C., being a bittersweet event and Megga tried to get the attention of her husband. On their wedding night, Addam admitted that he had enjoyed the company of his new wife and that he wanted to share a bed with her again soon.

Megga bore him a total of nine children and Addam especially loved her sons, while her wife loved her daughters more. Her favorite son was Galadon, to whom he inherited his bank and some jewels to his other children.

Addam watched his entire family die little by little starting with his mother and ending with his older brother, Manfred, to whom he was always attached. The deaths of her family were a severe blow, but she remained strong so as not to decay and perish. After the death of his parents, Addam visited his maternal relatives along with his family being united with his uncle Oberyn Martell who was very sorry for the death of his sister.

The visits were continuous, sometimes staying five months in Dorne. During one of these visits in 344 a. C., Addam did not realize that there was a rattlesnake in his bedroom and it bit his neck while he slept. The venom of the snake was lethal and Addam died in a matter of minutes, while they tried to save his life by dying at 60 years of age.

Megga Tyrell- she was Margaery Tyrell's companion when she traveled to Casterly Rock to marry Jaime Lannister. She shortly after she returned to the Highgarden where she married Addam Hightower.

Despite her robust appearance and less handsome than her other cousins, Addam Tyrell agreed to marry her because her other cousins ​​were engaged to marry in early 300 a. C., Megga became pregnant and gave birth to her first daughter, Lysa Tyrell.

The couple was very passionate enjoying both the bed and the flirtations, Megga continued to give him more children something that was well liked by her brother-in-law, Manfred Hightower to ensure the offspring of the Hightower House. Megga was not very motherly leaving her children in charge of wet nurses or nannies, but it is known that she had a soft spot for her daughters seeking good marriages or positions within the Targaryen court.

In 344 her husband Addam died after being bitten by a snake during a visit to Dorne. Megga became a wealthy widow and settled in a house near Highgarden where she spent her money on treats and gifts for her favorite grandchildren. Megga gained much more weight in those years and she could hardly get up being helped by her servants. One day in the year 364 a. C., Megga suffered several heart attacks that were getting stronger and stronger until her heart stopped, thus passing away that same year at 78 years of age.

The couple was very passionate and had nine children:

Lysa Hightower, was the wife of Ben Bushy to whom she bore a son, Baltasar Bushy.

Luthor Hightower, died during childhood of tuberculosis.

Galadon Hightower, was the second owner of Tower Bank inherited by his father. He married Talla Tarly and they had an only child.

Talisa Hightower, was a prostitute behind the back of her parents, but after being discovered she was forced to become a Septa.

Sarra Hightower, Septa of the Faith of the Seven in Antigua.

Melissa Hightower, married Victarion Greyjoy being his third wife and gave him four sons.

Mace Hightower, Maester, Astrologer, and Alchemist.

Alyssa Hightower, joined the Silent Sisters.

Victaria Hightower, married Edric Dayne and bore him four children.

Jonnel Hightower, died during adolescence after receiving a sword blow to the head.

La pareja tuvieron tres hijos, pero también una gran cantidad de nietos:

Loreza Hightower- Fue Señora de Altojardín al casarse con su primo, Willas Tyrell. Era considerada bella de largos cabellos castaños y ojos brillantes heredados de su familia paterna. Dulce y aventurera siendo una joven muy pretendida, pero sus padres querían un buen matrimonio para ella.

En 289 d. C., se negocio un matrimonio entre el heredero de Altojardín, Willas Tyrell y Loreza, ambos tenían 15 años de edad cuando se seño el acuerdo y la chica emprendió su viaje hacia Altojardín donde fue bien recibida por su suegra y tía, Alerie Hightower y la suegra de esta, Olenna Redwyne. La boda se celebro en 290 d. C., Willas trato con respeto a su esposa de la cual se enamoro rápidamente y Loreza también lo amo.

Loreza se gano el apreció de sus cuñados, Garlan y Loras, pero tuvo una relación tumultuosa con su cuñada Margaery, ambas tenían cierta rivalidad y solían criticarse. No fue hasta que Margaery fue comprometida con Lord Jaime Lannister y tuvo que partir a Roca Casterly, siendo una gran noticia para Loreza que solo veía a su cuñada en pocas ocasiones.

En 310 d. C., falleció su madre y su hija, Jeyne siendo estas muertes un gran golpe para Loreza que nunca se recupero de la perdida de su querida madre y su pequeñita. En 311 d. C., fallece su suegro Mace Tyrell y su padre, Baelor Hightower siendo otro duro golpe tras la repentina muerte de su madre e hija. Loreza  y su marido se convierten en Señores de Altojardín. En su papel como Señora fue una amante de los animales construyendo algunos refugios, también ayudo a su marido con algunos problemas en la política logrando una alianza entre los Tyrell y los Frey. 

En el año 331 d. C., falleció Willas Tyrell tras una partida de caza y su muerte destrozo aun mas a Loreza sumiéndose en una gran depresión por perder a sus padres, su marido y su hija pequeña, encerrándose en ella misma. Dos años después Loreza enfermo de tuberculosis temiéndose por su vida y dos meses después falleció a la edad de 59 años.

Willas Tyrell- Fue Señor de Altojardín y Señor del Dominio a la muerte de su padre, siendo considerado un hombre generoso y criador de todo tipo de animales.

Se caso con Loreza Hightower, su prima materna y con ella tuvo un matrimonio dichoso estando ambos muy enamorados el uno del otro. Loreza fue de gran ayuda para Willas con algunas alianzas con otras casas reales, entre ellas los Frey.

Mace Tyrell falleció en 311 d. C., convirtiéndose Mace en el nuevo Señor del Dominio. Su señorío fue llamo “reino de la fauna” por la crianza de halcones, caballos y otros animales que Willas y Loreza estuvieron criando. También se destaco por sus relaciones comerciales llegando una paz con los Lannister tras el casamiento de su hermana, Margaery con Jaime Lannister.

En 331 d. C., tras una partida de caza junto a sus hijos, el caballo de Willas tuvo una terrible caída y el hombre quedo abajo del caballo que le rompió varios huesos con su peso. Fue llevado rápidamente hasta su hogar donde en cuestión de horas falleció por sus heridas a los 57 años de edad y su esposa, Loreza fallecería solo dos años después que el siendo enterrados juntos.

La pareja tuvo seis hijos y solo uno fallecería durante la infancia:

Lady Alerie Tyrell, fue la segunda esposa de Alyn Ambrose con el cual tuvo tres hijos. Cinco años después enviuda y se casa con Lucas Tyrell con el cual tuvo dos hijas.

Lord Lambelle Tyrell, fue Señor de Altojardín tras la muerte de sus padres y también Consejero de los Edictos del rey Rhaegar I Targaryen. Se caso con Walda Frey “la Blanca” y tuvieron dos hijos.

Lord Donnel Tyrell fue Señor consorte de Corona Negra al casarse con Alysanne Bulwer y con ella tuvo diez hijos los cuales los cinco primeros portaron el apellido “Bulwer”.

Olenna Tyrell, fue Señora del Rejo al casarse con Horas Redwyne, su primo al cual odiaba y no tuvieron hijos. Olenna enviuda en 319 d. C., y se caso por segunda vez con el algo mayor Ronnet Connington siendo un mejor matrimonio y tuvieron tres hijos.

Elia Tyrell, fue Septa de la Fe de los Siete en Antigua.

Jeyne Tyrell falleció en la infancia el mismo año que su abuela, Elia Martell siendo enterrada junto a ella en Antigua.

Manfred Tyrell- Fue Señor del Faro tras la muerte de su padre. Era conocido como un joven de aspecto dorniense, pero muy atractivo cautivando a muchas mujeres que deseaban desposarse con el.

Se caso con Desmera Redwyne en 299 d. C., ambos se llevaron bien aun que no había amor entre ellos, pero Manfred siempre tuvo presente a su esposa para todo siendo su gran apoyo tanto en el trabajo como en la vida personal. Durante su matrimonio tuvo unas cuantas amantes, pero la mas famosa fue Walda Frey “La Bella” que era bisnieta de Walder Frey y con ella estuvo durante dos años, pero Walda fue comprometida con otro hombre acabando su romance.

Manfred mantuvo en su protección algunos artistas entre ellos pintores, bailarines, actores y escritores logrando un impacto cultural en el Dominio. También era conocido por sus conflictos con la Fe por distintos tema religiosos como los sacerdotes o los seguidores del Dios R'hllor a los cuales Manfred acepto en su corte por unos años.

La vida de Manfred tuvo un duro revés cuando en 320 d. C., falleció su esposa, Desmera Redwyne de una infección tras cortarse la mano con una flecha de caza. La muerte de su esposa fue (sorprendentemente) un duro golpe para el Señor del Faro y llego a decirle al maestre Normund Tyrell lo mucho que le afecto esta muerte refiriéndose a ella como “mi dulce y brillante Desmera”. Tan trece años después fallecería su hermana mayor, Loreza otro duro golpe para el.

Manfred Hightower acabaría falleciendo en 339 d. C., con 61 años de ataques respiratorios en su dormitorio. Fue enterrado junto a sus padres y su esposa.

Desmera Redwyne- Fue Señora del Faro al casarse con Manfred Hightower que era uno de sus primos lejanos. El compromiso se realizo en 297 d. C., y la boda se celebro dos años después en Antigua siendo una ceremonia colorida. La pareja se agrado desde el primer momento y tuvieron una gran amistad, aun que nunca llegaron a estar enamorados, pero se sabe que Manfred llegaba a darle muestras de cariño a su esposa.

Desmera no se involucro en el señorío de Antigua solo dedicándose a la jardinería, a la costura y a sus hijos que poco a poco iban llegando al mundo. La señora del Faro era poco conocida, pero sus mas cercanos la describen como encantadora, maternal y tranquila, incluso su marido la describió como dulce y conciliadora siendo su hombro en el que llorar.

Su vida siguió siendo tranquila hasta que un día del 320 d. C., mientras estaba en una partida de caza junto a su marido e hijos, Desmera fue herida con una flecha en su brazo sangrando mucho. Los maestres buscaron una forma de ayudarla cerrando la herida, pero las costuras fueron mal hechas y volvió abrirse sangrando mas. Al final Desmera Redwyne acabo muriendo ese mismo año de una infección por la herida, a los 37 años de edad. Su muerte fue un duro golpe para sus hijos y para Manfred que no se volvió a casar, manteniendo el recuerdo de su esposa y su mejor amiga.

Desmera le dio tres hijos sanos a Manfred:

Lord Garmond Hightower, fue Señor del Faro, del Puerto y defensor de la Ciudadela a la muerte de su padre. Se caso en tres ocasiones con Janei Lannister que le dio una hija; En segundas nupcias con Jeyne Westerling sin hijos y en terceras nupcias con la viuda Joyeuse Erenford con ella tuvo dos hijos varones.

Lady Lily Hightower, se caso con Martyn Lannister y con el tuvo una hija, Rowena.

Lady Minisa Hightower, permaneció soltera, llego a anciana y fue la cuidadora de sus sobrinos y sobrinos nietos.

Addam Tyrell- Fue la mano derecha de su hermano mayor Manfred y un experto banquero logrando crear su propio banco, pero este fue vendido tras solo tres generaciones.

En un principio quería casarse con una de sus primas, Elinor o Alla Tyrell, pero estas ya estaban comprometidas y quedaba su prima Megga Tyrell, que era corpulenta y de canto insoportable, pero accedió a casarse con ella por que según su tío, Humfrey Hightower: “Las gordas son mas placenteras”. La boda se celebro en 300 d. C., siendo un acontecimiento agridulce y Megga trataba de llamar la atención de su marido. En la noche de bodas Addam admitió que había disfrutado de la compañía de nueva esposa y que deseaba volver a compartir la cama con ella pronto.

Megga le dio un total de nueve hijos y Addam quiso especialmente a sus hijos, mientras que su esposa quiso mas a sus hijas. Su hijo favorito fue Galadon al cual le heredero su banco y a sus otros hijos algunas joyas.

Addam vio a toda su familia morir poco a poco empezando con su madre y finalizando con su hermano mayor, Manfred al cual siempre estuvo unido. Las muertes de su familia fueron un duro golpe, pero se mantuvo fuerte para no decaer y fallecer. Tras la muerte de sus padres, Addam visitaba a sus familiares maternos junto a su familia estando unido a su tío Oberyn Martell el cual estaba muy apenado por la muerte de su hermana. 

Las visitas fueron continuas permaneciendo a veces cinco meses en Dorne. Durante una de estas visitas en 344 d. C., Addam no se percato de que había una serpiente de cascabel en su alcoba y esta le mordió el cuello mientras dormía. El veneno de la serpiente fue letal y Addam falleció en cuestión de minutos, mientras le trataban de salvar la vida falleciendo con 60 años de edad.

Megga Tyrell- Fue dama de compañía de Margaery Tyrell cuando esta viajo a la Roca Casterly para casarse con Jaime Lannister. Poco después volvió a la Altojardín donde se caso con Addam Hightower.

Pesé a su aspecto robusto y menos agraciado que el de sus otras primas, Addam Tyrell accedió a casarse con ella por que sus otras primas estaban prometidas casándose a principios del 300 d. C.. La noche de bodas fue un éxito y Addam admitió que le gusto compartir el lecho con Megga. Durante la noche de bodas, Megga se quedo embarazada y dio a luz a su primera hija, Lysa Tyrell. 

La pareja fue muy apasionada disfrutando ambos la cama y los coqueteos, Megga siguió dándole mas hijos algo que era bien visto por su cuñado, Manfred Hightower para asegurar la descendencia de la Casa Hightower. Megga no fue muy maternal dejando a sus hijos a cargo de las nodrizas o niñeras, pero se sabe que tenía debilidad por sus hijas buscándoles buenos matrimonios o puestos dentro de la corte Targaryen.

En 344 falleció su esposo Addam tras ser mordido por una serpiente durante una visita hacia Dorne. Megga se convirtió en una viuda rica y se instalo en una casa cerca de Altojardín donde gastaba su dinero en caprichos y regalos para sus nietos favoritos. Megga engordo mucho mas en esos años y a penas podía levantarse siendo ayudada por sus criados. Un día del año 364 d. C., Megga sufrió varios ataques en el corazón que cada vez eran mas fuerte hasta que su corazón se detuvo falleciendo así ese mismo año con 78 años de edad.

La pareja fue muy apasionada y llegaron a tener nueve hijos:

Lysa Hightower, fue la esposa de Ben Bushy al cual le dio un hijo, Baltasar Bushy.

Luthor Hightower, falleció durante la infancia de tuberculosis.

Galadon Hightower, fue el segundo dueño del Banco Tower heredado por su padre. Se caso con Talla Tarly y tuvieron un unico hijo.

Talisa Hightower, fue una meretriz a espaldas de sus padres, pero tras ser descubierta fue obligada a convertirse en Septa.

Sarra Hightower, septa de la Fe de los Siete en Antigua.

Melissa Hightower, se caso con Victarion Greyjoy siendo su tercera esposa y le dio cuatro hijos varones.

Mace Hightower, maestre, astrologo y alquimista.

Alyssa Hightower, se unió a las Hermanas Silenciosas.

Victaria Hightower, se caso con Edric Dayne y le dio cuatro hijos.

Jonnel Hightower, falleció durante la adolescencia tras recibir un golpe de espada en la cabeza.

[scorpiofangirl1109]

My Cats OC Part 224

part 223- https://scorpiofangirl1109.tumblr.com/post/662911122189484032/my-cats-oc-part-223 

hello everyone! welcome to part 224 of my series on kiki!

this is a continuation of the human au i didn’t know i was pregnant mini series with munkustrap and demeter!

not long after munkustrap had called his mother he received a text message that his parents were on their way to the hospital to meet their brand new granddaughter. 

so munkustrap waited for them to arrive in the waiting room and he was a bit anxious knowing how big this moment was.

soon grizabella and deuteronomy had arrived at the hospital and munkustrap went over to his parents giving them a big hug.

“oh darling it is so good to see you. i still cannot believe this has happened.” grizabella said as she pulled away from the hug.

“trust me, it has been a few hours and i am still struggling with it myself.” munkustrap told his mom. 

“is demeter doing alright now?” deuteronomy asked “i am sure today has taken a  lot out of her.”

“she was resting for a bit but woke up a little while ago. but she is doing alright. she was feeding the baby when i left. jenny and skimbles went home to rest for a bit as they were so tired.” munkustrap explained as he brought his parents towards demeter’s hospital room.

before they went in, grizabella and deuteronomy had to wash their hands carefully before meeting kiki as she was still so susceptible to getting sick.

after this munkustrap led his parents into the room seeing demeter was holding kiki who seemed to have drifted off to sleep now that her belly was full of formula. 

demeter looked up from watching kiki sleep and smiled at her in-laws. munkustrap told her they were coming so she knew to expect to see them.

grizabella and deuteronomy had spent the entire car ride trying to process the news of them being grandparents now. but seeing the baby girl in their daughter-in law’s arms showed them that this was real. they had a grandchild and they were grandparents.

but the second they laid their eyes on their granddaughter they were very much in love. she really was precious.

“oh my goodness look at that face. i cannot believe she managed to be so quiet in your belly.” 

demeter chuckled and said “ i know, she really was. i never felt a single kick or anything else while she was growing in there.”

“mom, dad i would formally like to introduce you to your granddaughter kiki louise.” munkustrap smiled.

“it is a lovely name.” deuteronomy smiled beaming down at his new granddaughter who slept in demeter’s arms. 

“your grandmother would have loved her.” grizabella said smiling feeling delighted that her granddaughter honored her mother who passed away not too long ago.

“oh i know. she really would have. would you like to hold her mom?” demeter asked grizabella.

demeter and munkustrap had built such strong and close relationships with their respective in- laws that calling them mom and ad seemed natural. plus their parents insisted their daughter-in-law and son-in-law call them mom and dad anyways. 

grizabella was quick to agree to do this and got her arms ready to hold kiki. demeter carefully handed over her daughter to her paternal grandmother. 

once the newborn was situated in her grandmother’s arms grizabella could not stop beaming down at her. she was so precious and grizabella was officially in love with her. 

“oh hello there darling. aren’t you precious? i still can’t believe you are actually real.” grizabella smiled.

kiki was asleep but she made a  tiny little noise that made everyone in the room chuckle as it truly was a sweet little noise. but she was perfectly content to be held as she slept.

deuteronomy smiled down at kiki and stroked her cheek with the back of his thumb. he and grizabella were silently marveling over every little detail of their grandchild’s face. 

soon enough kiki was handed off to her paternal grandfather so he could hold her. similar to his wife, he was still processing this but those feelings were slowly going away.

it felt nice to hold his granddaughter. plus it brought back memories to the days his sons were both born. this was one of the best days of his life besides the births of his sons and marrying his wife. 

“you are a little darling. grandpy loves you so much.” deuteronomy smiled as he kept stroking kiki’s hand with his thumb.

“grandpy huh? is that what kiki is going to call you?” munkustrap asked chuckling a bit.

“that is what you used to call your mother’s dad and i think it is nice.” deuteronomy as he did not look up from where he was holding kiki. 

munkustrap remembered this. naturally he missed his maternal grandparents and wished they along with his maternal grandmother, could have meet their great granddaughter.

“and i always thought the name grammy was nice.” grizabella smiled as he watched her husband with kiki.

“i like those names, they suit you.” demeter smiled. “my mom and dad already decided on their grandparent names too. they are going by granny and grandpa.”

“well all 4 of us are going to spoil this little girl to death. we know the two of you are going to be the best parents in the world.” grizabella smiled.

munkustrap and demeter looked at each other. they were so relieved their parents had taken the news well and were even exited about being grandparents even if it was a surprise.

now the next part was telling all of the siblings. between them there was bomba’s 2 sisters and her brother. munkustrap had his brother and his brother-in-law on his side.

seeing how they would react would be memorable but munkustrap and  had a feeling their reactions would be interesting. and they were ready for kiki to meet her aunts and uncles.

alright that is part 224! let me know what you guys thought and i will see you all for part 225! so sorry it is short!

[throughthetreesblog]

Find Family with X-DNA

Never forget the X factor. X-chromosome DNA - one of the most useful, controversial, and ignored sources of genetic evidence. The X chromosome, a sex chromosome, determines each human’s biological gender. The X chromosome also packs brick-wall-busting power for solving genealogy puzzles. X-DNA can even help adoptees and others with unknown parentage find their biological parents. To discern fact from fiction and make the most of X-DNA’s magical properties, read on.

A Few Simple Rules – On The Basis of Sex

·         X-DNA for Women

o   Women inherit two copies of the X chromosome – one from each parent.

o   Women pass one X-chromosome to each of their children.

o   The X-chromosome a woman gives to each of her children, in most cases, is recombined, a mixture of X-DNA from each of her own parents.

o   A woman contributes an X-chromosome without recombination – an identical copy of one of her own X-chromosomes – to her children about 16% of the time.

·         X-DNA for Men

o   Men inherit one copy of the X chromosome – always from one’s mother.

o   Men only pass their X-chromosome to their daughters.

o   The X-chromosome that a man donates to each of his daughters is an exact replica of his own X-chromosome.

The rules regulating the X chromosome create a unique inheritance pattern that follows a Fibonacci sequence. Only a subgroup of ancestors can contribute to one’s X. Use DNA Painter’s GEDCOM tool to identify one’s potential X-DNA ancestors.

That inheritance pattern makes X-DNA an asset for adoptees and others seeking to identify unknown parents. Analyzing X-DNA can help sort and filter matches. Analyzing X-DNA can also help one build and validate relationship hypotheses. Since men only inherit X chromosome DNA from their mothers, any genetic relative with whom he shares X-chromosome DNA must be a maternal relative. Those maternal relatives may prove useful for identifying one’s mother or even more distant maternal ancestors. A woman seeking to identify her biological father should consider the amount of X-DNA shared with close relatives and other details (age difference, amount of shared autosomal DNA, etc.). While a woman’s grandmother, aunt, and half-sister will all share, on average, 25% of their autosomal DNA with her, only the paternal half-sister is guaranteed to share a completely identical copy of Chromosome X (approximately 196.1 cM of X-DNA). That paternal half-sister might prove useful for naming one’s biological father.

At AncestryDNA, genetic relatives sharing about 25% of their autosomal DNA appear in the “Close Relative-1st cousin” category. Many AncestryDNA users misinterpret the matches labelled as “Close Relative-1st cousin” as being first cousins. AncestryDNA’s “Close Relative-1st cousin” never refers to first cousins. These matches are grandparents and grandchildren. They are aunts and uncles. They are nieces. They are nephews. Half-siblings. Even double first cousins. Never expect or accept that these matches have a first cousin relationship.  On multiple occasions, I have had to inform clients that their “first cousin” was an unexpected half-sibling. Adoptees and others with unknown parentage ought to closely examine the family trees of “Close Relative-1st cousin” matches and consider the X-DNA shared among them. Since AncestryDNA neither reports nor visualizes shared X-DNA, one must employ other genetic genealogy websites and recruit matches to do the same.

 Optimize Opportunities

While 23andMe and Family Tree DNA’s Family Finder use X-chromosome DNA in addition to autosomal DNA (atDNA) to generate relative matches, AncestryDNA and MyHeritage DNA still do not. However, raw DNA data files from AncestryDNA and MyHeritage DNA include X-chromosome data. Transfer raw DNA data files from AncestryDNA and MyHeritage to GEDmatch.com and Family Tree DNA’s Family Finder to view X-DNA matches.

AncestryDNA’s raw DNA data files contain at least 28,892 X-chromosome markers (SNPs) – more than data files from any of the other commercial DNA tests. If one has the choice, choose to transfer the AncestryDNA raw data files for higher-quality X-DNA matching. Wherever you transfer your DNA data, transfer your GEDCOM there as well.

Beware of The X Chromosome Myth

“If someone matches you on the X chromosome and only on the X chromosome, then that someone should not be considered a true match.” Variations of this claim rotate in genetic genealogy circles – along with “4th cousins are really hard,” “DNA testing is just not useful for non-Europeans right now,” and “chromosome browsers are only good for ethnicity research” – and all are bogus.

Consider this example:

My paternal grandfather has two DNA matches (predicted 4th cousins) with whom he shares both significant autosomal DNA and X-DNA: Jason (18.5 cM atDNA and 37 cM X-DNA) and Sarah (17.2 cM atDNA and 30.2 cM X-DNA).

Grandpa Christmas, Jason, and Sarah all share the same segment of X-DNA.

Since my grandfather and Jason are men, they each only have one copy of the X chromosome; both inherited that one copy of the X chromosome from their mothers. The X-DNA segment that my grandfather and Jason share must have come from a common maternal ancestor. Comparing Grandpa Christmas’s family tree to Jason’s pedigree shows a pair of common maternal ancestors: Philemon Hawkins (1767-1856) and Mary Christmas (1775-1822) of Warren County, North Carolina and Franklin County, North Carolina. My grandfather and Jason descend from two of Philemon and Mary’s sons, Adam Hawkins and Brehon Hawkins respectively. The Hawkins brothers must have inherited this X-DNA from their mother, Mary Christmas. Remember: Men only inherit X-DNA from their mothers. Mary Christmas is the most recent common ancestor for this X-DNA segment.

Now, Sarah’s family tree shows that among her X-DNA ancestors are William Duke and Mary Green of Purchase Patent Plantation, Warren County, North Carolina.

William Duke and Mary Green were Mary Christmas’s maternal grandparents – and her X-DNA ancestors. William Duke and/or Mary Green passed this X-DNA segment to their twin daughters, Ann Duke (mother of Mary Christmas, maternal ancestor of Jason and Grandpa Christmas) and Thamar Duke (ancestor of Sarah). See the chart below.

Sarah and Jason share only this single X-DNA segment; GEDmatch found that Sarah and Jason share no autosomal DNA.

Despite only sharing X-DNA, Jason and Sarah have a verifiable relationship in a genealogical timeframe. Jason and Sarah likely inherited their shared X-DNA from their common ancestors, William Duke and Mary Green.

This example not only disproves the X Chromosome myth, but also demonstrates how chromosome browsers add value beyond ethnicity research and how 4th cousins are not “really hard.” In fact, repeating these steps - pooling our DNA segment data, comparing pedigrees, and using GEDmatch’s Tier 1 tools - enabled my family to reconstruct more than half of one 4x great-grandfather’s X chromosome, laying the groundwork for future research.

Collaborating with one’s DNA matches to map the X chromosome offers several benefits. Identifying the ancestors who passed down one’s X-DNA can help determine how other unknown genetic relatives sharing this same DNA are related. Mapping DNA segments can also reveal traits that one’s ancestors inherited and passed down. Among other things, Chromosome X contains genes associated with hereditary baldness and color blindness.

Use DNA Painter’s chromosome mapping tool to track which of your ancestors passed those genes to you.

To get the most out of your X-DNA:

·         Transfer your raw DNA data file and your GEDCOM file from AncestryDNA and MyHeritage DNA to GEDmatch and Family Tree DNA’s Family Finder to access X-DNA matches. AncestryDNA raw DNA is the best transferable raw DNA data file.

·         Upload your GEDCOM to DNA Painter to identify your X-DNA ancestors.

·         Map your X-DNA and associated traits on DNA Painter.

Share this post to educate others about the probative value of X-DNA matches.

[highkey-lowkey-as-hell]

if you want to write it, a meet the parents fic but it’s kateva and angst to hurt comfort because i like my heart broken -cotmlc

THANK YOU, CO-PRESIDENT, FOR RELIEVING MY HORRIBLE, TERRIBLE, SOUL-CRUSHING BOREDOM

Also, seeing as this is angst, I’m switching the prompt up just a little. My headcanon is that Eva’s mom is the Best Mom and Kate’s parents are Trying (And Failing A Little But Overall Doing Their Best), so we’re getting Kate’s more-homophobic-grandparents instead for the Angst Factor.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Okay, yes, Kate was nervous.

Like, super nervous.

Eva had sworn up and down that she loved Kate no matter what, and while that did help her fear of losing her, she was still scared this afternoon was going to make Eva run away. Even if she didn’t, though, Kate was still expecting hell.

Her maternal grandparents were thoroughly convinced that Kate’s sarcastic, cynical, girls-and-flannel-loving personality was Just A Phase and she’d grow out of it and start wearing pink and giggling and liking guys any moment now. Obviously, that wasn’t happening. When she’d joined the cheer squad, they’d been so excited, Kate almost felt bad about disappointing them.

Almost. She didn’t actually feel bad about it.

Actually, her grandparents were one of the only things that told Kate her mom really and truly supported her sexuality. Sure, she was insecure about it, and had once asked her if she thought it was “just a phase,” but she always defended Kate whenever her grandparents asked if she was interested in anyone and she answered with “Bridget” or “Emily” or “Jennifer.”

Her mom’s mediocre support aside, Kate had been postponing this meeting for as long as she could. She and Eva had officially been together since February, and now it was July. She’d met Eva’s mother, uncle, and siblings, and Eva had met her parents and brothers. She knew for a fact that Eva had Chess’s letter tucked safely in a dresser drawer and that she reread it often. They even regularly said “I love you” now. And yet, her grandparents had only recently even learned Eva existed.

Just like always, Kate and her parents were hosting the Dalton family’s annual 4th of July party. Typically, Kate would be forced to greet everyone and then would run up to her room to read or play on her phone, or - before Derrick and Jack had left for college and gotten so distant - she and her brothers would be in the basement, playing video games Kate probably shouldn’t have been playing when she was ten. Today, though, was going to be a bit different.

Kate’s grandmother had recently joined Facebook without her knowledge, which proved to be problematic at the end of the year. Kate’s mom had made her usual post, congratulating Derrick on finishing his first year of grad school, Jack on his sophomore year of college, and Kate on her junior year of high school. The picture of Kate she had chosen to post was one Eva had posted to Instagram (and one she’d asked permission to use, which Kate and Eva both appreciated) (the caption was very sweet, irrelevant to this story, and was “GCHS cheer fucking sucks but at least I’ve got you, I love you so much”), which was a photo of the two of them after their last cheer competition. In the photo, Eva had her arm around Kate and was kissing her cheek, and it was very obvious that they were a couple.

Kate’s grandmother saw the photo.

Kate’s first reaction when her mom told her was to freeze and think fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck SHIT fuck fuck fuck - which she thought was a very logical first reaction. Her second reaction was freak the fuck out.

One thing had led to another, and now Eva had been invited to join the Dalton family Independence Day celebrations.

She showed up a little bit before everyone else, just because that’s how Eva was, and Kate dragged her down into the basement so she could rant about how scared she was.

“My cousins are just like Lily and they’ll love you and my aunts and uncles are great and Dad’s parents are pretty cool but Mom’s parents are going to hate you,” she ranted, pacing back and forth while Eva watched from the couch. “This might have been a really bad idea.”

“It’ll be fine, Katie,” Eva tried to sooth. “You’ve literally survived a stab wound, they can’t be much worse.”

“My grandparents meeting my girlfriend? Yeah, I think I’d rather get stabbed again.”

“I think you’re overreacting.”

“You won’t think that when they show up.” Kate stopped pacing and hugged herself, trying to calm her anxiety. “Promise you’ll stay?”

“I promise.” Eva stood up and hugged her, and Kate finally managed to breathe. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” Kate wanted Eva to hold her like that for the rest of the day, but the doorbell rang and Jack shouted for them to come upstairs and it was time to face the music.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Her paternal grandparents showed up first and, like Kate predicted, immediately adored Eva. They’d asked her at least four dozen questions before Kate’s aunt showed up a few minutes later, and as her relatives trickled in, Kate began to suspect that this was turning into less of a “family Independence Day!” party and more of a “Kate’s actually gay and has a girlfriend now, wow, time to overwhelm her” party. She’d made a deal with Jack and Derrick beforehand, having predicted what would happen, and invoked it now, leaving them to entertain their relatives while Kate pulled Eva into the backyard and onto the porch swing, where it would take several minutes for questions to reach them and they had an excuse to be as close as possible.

Kate was hoping her mom’s parents might not show up when her grandfather appeared in the doorway and her stomach sank into her beat-up shoes. He zeroed in on Kate and Eva right away and walked toward them, taking up way more space than he needed to like always.

“Kate, it’s been a while,” he boomed, and Kate winced.

“Hey, Grandpa,” she said, trying not to sound too sarcastic. “This is Eva.” Eva awkwardly waved, then put her hand down.

“It’s nice to meet you,” she said, and Kate felt really bad about dragging her into this.

“You must be Kate’s friend,” he nearly yelled (why the fuck did he have to be so loud?) and Kate nearly straight-up attacked him.

I’m basically in her lap right now! What the fuck do you mean, my “friend”?

Jack caught her eye from across the porch and gave her a sympathetic look before looking back at their elderly great-grandmother.

“Girlfriend, actually,” Kate corrected. “We’re dating. We’re a couple. Definitely not friends.”

“Right, of course.” Her grandfather winked at her, and she nearly screamed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The day did not get much better.

When her grandmother came out, she was about as subtle as her husband had been about how she didn’t actually believe Kate and Eva were in love (maybe? In love felt a little bit strong, but it also seemed to be the best term for it and Kate didn’t have time to think of a better way to put it) and thought they were just good friends. Then, when she stood up to go and get her phone so she could show her aunt a picture of their cheer squad and Eva’s hand wasn’t covering her scar anymore, her aunt screamed and brought three people running, pinning all the attention on Kate in a really bad way.

After a few hours, Kate whispered something in Eva’s ear and stepped away, into the garage, trying to catch her breath and calm down. The door opened, and rather than being Eva or one of her brothers like she’d hoped, she opened her eyes to see her grandmother.

“I saw you leave and wanted to make sure you were okay, honey.”

“I’m fine, Grandma. Just needed a moment.” She clenched her teeth and prayed her grandmother would leave. She didn’t.

“Eva seems nice,” she continued.

“She is.” Kate almost started to hope that maybe, maybe, her grandmother would start to take her relationship seriously. “I’m lucky to have her.”

“You seem like really good friends.” Fuck, there it was.

“Okay, you know what? Knock it off!” Kate didn’t mean to blow up, but she couldn’t help it now. “It doesn’t matter how much you deny it, it’s not going to change the fact that I’m not the granddaughter you have in your head! I love Eva, okay? I love someone who’s name is Eva and not Evan. I love her and I’m a lesbian and I’m so tired of you not taking me and my relationships seriously like you do Jack and Derrick!” Then she stormed past her and up to her room, her eyes stinging with tears.

After about twenty minutes, there was a gentle knock on the door.

“Go away,” she mumbled.

“Katie?”

“Oh. You can come in.”

Eva opened the door and then closed it behind herself. “Are you okay? Your grandmother says you totally lost your shit at her.”

“I kinda did.”

“I’m not surprised.” Eva sat next to her, and Kate sat up and crawled into her arms. “They’ve been assholes to us all day.”

“I just really love you, Eva, and I want them to understand that.” Kate’s voice was muffled by Eva’s shirt. “I want them to take you seriously as my girlfriend and stop trying to deny it. I-I want them to accept that I’m not the perfect granddaughter they wanted. I’m not perfect.”

“And thank God. If you were perfect, how would I make fun of you for how atrocious you are at skateboarding? How would I keep you from fighting some people and watch you fight others?” Eva pulled her a little bit tighter and laid down, Kate still curled up in her arms. “I hate your grandparents, but I love you more.”

“Promise you’ll stay?”

“Promise.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Everyone has that one relative who denies your sexuality, right? I’m not out to my family as lesbian, just as ace, and I still think they don’t quite get it. But hey, everyone’s got someone who has their back, right? I hope this was angsty enough!!!!!!

[zunairahstudies]

Mango Languages Modern Standard Arabic Unit One chapter 2 - Vocab and Grammar tips

This is my sister, Zainab -  هذه أختي زينب 

This (f) -  هذه

This (m) -  هذا 

my sister -  أختي 

Do you also have a brother? -  هل عندكَ أخ أيضاً؟ 

You have -  عندكَ 

brother -  أخ 

also -  أيضاً 

Grammar Note -  There are two ways to ask a yes or no question in Arabic.  One is to add the particle هل at the beginning of a sentence.  The other is to keep the statement as it is and raise your voice at the end.  There is no equivalent to "do," "does," "did," etc. in Arabic.  The affirmative answer is نعم and the negative answer is لا.

Yes. He is over there. -  نعم. هو هناك 

yes -  نعم. 

there -  هناك 

He is with my dad and my mum -  هو مع أبي وأمي.

My dad -  أبي 

my mum -  أمي

Does he live here, too? -  هل يعيش هنا أيضاً؟ 

he lives -  يعيش

here -  هنا

Grammar note -  Like the English words "here" and "there," the Arabic place adverb هنا means "towards or with the speaker" and هناك means "away from," or "not with the speaker." 

Our whole family lives here -  عائلتنا كلها تعيش هنا.

Our family -  عائلتنا 

Whole -  كلها 

She lives -  تعيش 

Grammar note -  Notice that تعيش is different from يعيش.  They both mean "lives" but the first is used with feminine subjects whereas the second is used with masculine subjects. 

Father -  أب 

Mother -  أم 

sister -  أخت 

aunt (of paternal side) -  عمة

aunt (of maternal side) -  خالة 

uncle (of paternal side) -  عم 

uncle (of maternal side) -  خال

son -  ابن 

daughter -  ابنة

cousin (referring to the son of a paternal uncle) -  ابن عم 

cousin (referring to the daughter of a paternal uncle) -  ابنة عم

* in order to  talk about the son or daughter of a paternal aunt, you just replace  عم with  عمة

Cousin (referring to the son of a maternal uncle)  -  ابن خال 

Cousin (referring to the daughter of a maternal uncle) - ابنة  خال

* in order to talk about the son or daughter of a maternal aunt, you just replace  خال with  خالة

cousin (referring to the daughter of a maternal 

engagement -  خطبة

Marriage -  زواج 

married -  متزوج 

husband -  زوج 

wife -   زوجة

parents -  والدان

children -  أطفال

grandparents -  أجداد 

grandmother -  جدة 

grandfather -  جد 

grandson -  حفيد

granddaughter -  حفيدة

[sam-not-samantha]

The Blackwoods & the Rheiders

“A train wreck dynasty of cash stacks and funny farms.”

#sltask02

 [Photos embedded, but not all characters have a faceclaim.]

The Blackwoods (Immediate)

Andrew Blackwood | Father | June 21, 1969-April 30, 2017         “Paycheck giver. Businessman. Quiet and kind, yet so apathetic.” Eliza Blackwood (née Rheider) | Mother | October 28, 1971-April 30, 2017         “Whiny bitch. Passive-aggressive. Judgmental. Tasteless. Fucking DEAD.” Samantha “Sam” Blackwood | Self | February 5, 1995         “Best fucking person you’ll ever meet.”

The Extended (And not-so-distant)

Jodi Rheider | Maternal aunt | July 1, 1975         “Anti-vaxer. Vegan. Cunt. Used to get cocktails with Kris Jenner.” Jenna Rheider | Maternal cousin | April 14, 1994         “Brainless twit. And a narc; ratted me out for doing coke only for her mom to do the rest.” Connor Rheider | Maternal cousin | November 2, 1999         “Quirky. Genius. Loves drones. Probably in charge of WikiLeaks.”

Luke Rheider | Maternal uncle | May 4, 1966         “Pretentious. Thinks old money is anything over a year. Football fan. Moron.” Charli Diamond | Maternal aunt-in-law | October 31, 1982         “Second wife. Thinks Luke’s gonna die soon, but she deserves gold. Refused the name.” Bastien Rheider | Maternal cousin | January 28, 1988         “One of the two actually cool people in this family. Sarcastic. Sick. Sweet.” Evie Rheider | Maternal first cousin, once removed | September 12, 2008         “Started sweet, is now fully demonic.”

Paul Blackwood | Paternal uncle | October 6, 1965         “Loudly republican. Loudly terrible. Horrible suits. Still calls me ‘Squirt’.” Charlotte Blackwood (née Gilfrey) | Paternal aunt-in-law | May 10, 1967        “If Ann Coulter was slightly younger and somehow slightly worse.” Kim Blackwood | Paternal cousin | August 1, 1987         “Couture PotteryBarn expert. Insufferable. Screechy. Trend-chaser.” George White | Cousin-in-law-to-be | November 7, 1980         “The manifestation of Kim’s daddy issues. Wedding date is permanently TBD.” Lisa Blackwood | Paternal cousin | April 9, 1989         “Mini-Eliza. Clothing terrorist. Should’ve been aborted.” Salvatore Stracci | Cousin-in-law-to-be | October 22, 1976        “Tall, Italian and scary. Also in a state of perpetual engagement and dissatisfaction.” Alessandro Blackwood | Paternal first cousin, once removed | May 31, 2010         “Had to hold him at a party once. He spat on me.”

Michael Blackwood | Patnernal uncle | May 1, 1967         “I legitimately don’t know if he and Paul are different people.” Natalie Blackwood (née Gainsbourg) | Paternal aunt-in-law | July 1, 1968        “Quiet, but clearly judgmental. Alopecia. Clings to Michael desperately.” Heather Blackwood | Paternal cousin | March 14, 1990         “The only sane woman. Editor at Harper’s Bazaar with Natalie. Goddess. Soul sister.”

Matthew Blackwood | Paternal uncle | Stillborn August 8, 1970

-

Dances– The Blackwoods | A Personal Essay (Written pre-parental death).

It was a dance.

It always was, no matter what. No, there was never any music. No stage. No choreography. But conversations with my mother were always an intricate samba on a tightrope.

It could begin at any moment, about anything. Simple small talk about where I went for brunch yesterday morning could turn into a bitchfest about my weight– as if being 110 was something to be ashamed of. The mere presence of an unopened, monthly bank statement could turn into a lecture about financial responsibility– as if she wasn’t surrounded by new, shiny things and maxed out AMEX cards. And, far more recently, a quick, innocent glance at the alcohol cabinet would have me sat down with some professional life coach while she watched, a vodkatini in hand.

Eliza Blackwood (born Eliza Rheider in 1971) was a bitch. An absolute bitch. A wretched, spoiled, high-strung, narcissistic, classist, borderline-anorexic, Valium-addicted, Shalimar-drenched, Kris Jenner-wannabe bitch. She was lucky she came from money, because if she wasn’t, I don’t think she’d be alive right now. I mean, I’m lucky, too, but I’m grateful for what I have.

Her parents were corporate assholes– her dad worked for Goldman Sachs, and his wife was a vapid, shrill, useless little brat not unlike her daughter. And, of course, that unloveable little bitch went and married someone who could satisfy her financial needs and not embarrass the family name– Andrew Blackwood, a New York politician from a family of Wall Street types (Some of whom also worked at Goldman Sachs, which is how the two met). On paper, they were a match made in heaven. A wealthy politician and his obnoxious jetsetter wife.

But, fortunately for me, even though I hadn’t been born quite yet, Andrew was a good, caring man. While Eliza was (and still is) ruthless, selfish and absolutely disgustingly horrible, Andrew had a heart. He cared about people. And things. Which was why he went into politics. He wanted to make a change. While his family was a bunch of wealthy Republicans, he was entirely Democratic, a fact that nearly alienated from them entirely (if only it had actually managed to keep his family out of my life) which is why I’m still in awe that he wound up with a pathetic Paris Hilton knockoff. A politician with a heart of gold wound up with a blue blood twat who measures her love in karats.

But back to her dances.

I’m not entirely sure where they come from. I mean, no matter how much you analyze someone and their family and upbringing and everything, you can’t pin point their personality traits and their behaviors. That said, I think I have a fair amount of clues as to where Eliza’s horrid personality came from.

While her relationship with her mother is mostly concealed to me, their lifestyle was no secret. Eliza always went on about how well she lived as a kid, how luxurious her house was, how high the thread count in the sheets of her crib was, and how she washed her face with caviar or something. But how she got along with her mother was never fully described. I’ve seen hints here and there– a glare across a table at a gala or whispers on the phone. But I don’t know too much. As far as I know, Eliza’s mother– Mrs. Karen Rheider– didn’t even bother to raise any of her three children. I wouldn’t have been surprised had they all been raised by a nanny while Karen went went on living as a trophy wife. But I assume that the two of them, when they did interact, got along the same way Eliza and I do– and that would make it safe to assume Eliza picked up her bitchy words, malicious intentions and passive-aggressive, condescending demeanor from her mother. The family bitchiness is hereditary.

Passive-aggressiveness is definitely a running trait in my family. I see it to an extent on my dad’s side– his brothers and him bicker endlessly, and they seem to show some slight disapproval for his opposing political stance, as if world views are trivial dinner conversation. But it pales in comparison to the Rheider family’s guilt. Aside from me, and my mother, I see it in the rest of the family.

My aunt Jodi, mother of two, is another disgusting person. Like Jenny McCarthy, she refused to vaccinate her kids because she believed it would make them autistic. Her son, Connor, has caught the flu every single year since he was six. The three (including her daughter Jenna) currently reside together at a nudist resort, where the kids were homeschooled… because they lack their immunizations. But that’s kind of besides the point– any time Jodi decides to dress up and sneak out into the world of normalcy, she misses no opportunity to make slick comments that everyone else in the family is living incorrectly. Thankfully, everyone else has mastered the art of clapback.

Eliza’s brother, Luke, and his wife, Charli (a full 16 years younger than him) are an obnoxiously pretentious couple who are all too proud of their FormDecor relationship and all too ashamed of everyone else’s. Luke has a son, Bastien, who he had with his first wife, that’s only 6 years younger than Charli. However, Bastien’s one of the few people on my mother’s side of the family that I actually enjoy. We share similar morals, and gratefulness for what we’ve been given, and spend every single family function together ripping the family apart. It’s a shame they never hear us.

Even the family elders have the same disapproving, condescending disdain for everything that my mom displays. But they’re far too silent around me to reveal anything noteworthy. The most words I’ve ever heard from my great grandmother Dorothy Cross (my mother’s mother’s mother), was scolding Jodi for her nudist colony being racially integrated, so it’s safe to say not much good was going to come from that generation. Fortunately, most of them are dead– Dorothy passed in 2011 (though her husband is still living off of a diamond-encrusted life support machine), and Eliza’s father’s parent’s are both long gone. Three out of Andrew’s four parents are deceased, his mother’s mother Clarissa Pullock (or something like that) is still alive, though I’ve never met her and probably never will– our first interaction will probably be at her funeral where I’m forced to pretend to mourn.

While Eliza’s family is dominated by a vile matriarchy, Andrew’s family has been dominated by powerful men with miniature dicks who made the Blackwood name known very much for investment banking until bank holding companies began to reign supreme, after which the family figured they would be better off in electoral politics. Andrew’s grandfather, Adam Blackwood, worked up a networth of slightly over $1 billion, and while his successors haven’t exactly been slacking, I don’t think any of them are ever going to do as well as him (but at the end of the day, if Andrew decided to have a bonfire using $100 bills as kindling, we’d recover before the fire even went out). Adam had two sons– Matthew and Bernard, and both received their jobs at Wall Street after him in a clear sign of nepotism. Bernard married a real estate agent named Elaine or Elle or something like that and had a million kids– most of which were boys. I don’t know much about them, and I don’t really care to. Matthew married some Janet something and had four kids– Paul (1965), Michael (1967), Andrew (1969), and Matthew Jr. (stillborn in 1970).

Unfortunately for this generation of men, who, unsurprisingly, continued the trend of nepotism and began work at the same place as their ancestors (save for Andrew who stayed in school, exploring his interests), none of them were able to produce any boys to continue the line. Paul was the first to reproduce– shooting out Kim and Lisa in 1987 and 1989, and as soon as the Kardashian sisters came around, they tried their hardest to be them but soon settled with just being their very close friends (and it’s safe to say I can’t stand any of them). Michael had Heather in 1990, and somehow, amidst a family of putrid, selfish monsters, she wound up a tasteful and snarky angel of hope. Like Bastien, we spend our family events together, an unholy trio of stylish black sheep.

And then finally, February 5, 1995, I came around. Eliza and Andrew had been married for about three years, and finally had me. Adam was still alive at the time and was praying for a great grandson– only to be disappointed for the fourth time. Almost as a sign of flippancy towards him, they named me Sam (well, Samantha, but I’ve grown accustomed to Sam and refuse to be called by my full first name unless I’m being charged with something). My mother made my middle name Elizabeth– because she hoped that I would follow in her footsteps. She once said naming me after her was “the biggest mistake” she ever made, which I don’t think is entirely unfair because taking after her is the last thing I ever want to do. And I’ve spent the last twenty-one years learning all of this.

People always say that blood is thicker than water, or whatever. That we’re supposed to stick with our families (over friends, or, well, anything). There’s been some mindset that family comes before all, that you honor your last name above anything and everything. I don’t believe that for one second. As if who happened to bang should determine everything about you. I despise almost all of that. And I won’t claim any of the ones that I don’t like for one second. I’ll take a tango any day. Fuck blood. And fuck the Blackwoods.

[benscursedkid]

Rebekah’s Extended Family: Maternal Side

Paternal Side / Immediate

Aunt: Adelaide Leá Cordeau (née Leon)

Born: October 31st, 1947

Sign: Scorpio

House: Slytherin

Wand: Laurel Wood, Dragon Heartstring and Demiguise Hair Core, 12 ¾ Inches, Soft Flexibility

Blood Status: Pure-Blood

Occupation: Alchemy Professor at Beauxbatons Academy of Magic

Oldest of the two, Adelaide was very fond and very protective of her sister

Feared her parents, particularly her father, and therefore was more impressionable, more likely to follow orders and obey them mindlessly

Even if it was just to satiate them and keep herself out of trouble

Scared of what would happen if she disagreed with him so she let herself be manipulated

Better to safe than sorry is her motto

She used to try to appeal to her mother when she was younger but soon realized it was useless

Their mother was a numb, empty woman and advised Delphine to leave her be when she started trying to do the same

Though during summer breaks she did try as often as she could to keep her and Delphine out of the house

But at the end of the day, they always had to come back

That stuck with her

Quieter than her sister, more studious, though they shared equal ambition

Immensely skilled in Potions and Alchemy and was a star pupil in the Slug Club as a student

The only one in her family who was skilled in singing– something she loved to tease Delphine about

Her humor was a bit dry and biting, but witty and very sarcastic

You’d really never realize exactly how respectful or polite she was if you didn’t take the chance to look

She was just as kind and caring as her sister, but not as bold or as daring, and a bit tougher around the edges

Where her sister was outgoing at school and trying— whether it worked or not is another matter —to make friends, she was much more introverted and uncomfortable in the presence of people she didn’t know or couldn’t understand

Good at reading people and used that to her advantage

Tried to take as much of the trouble as she could off of Delphine when their parents got angry, but it only deepened her fear of them

Learned to confuse fear with respect because of this

These actions went unbeknownst to her sister and she liked it that way

It’s better for her not to know, she doesn’t like pity

When she graduated she was similarly married off to a French pure-blood wizard, Jacques Cordeau, who worked as an Obliviator for the French Ministry (she moved to France to accommodate his job and was hired by Beauxbatons)

Covered for her sister when she begged to have her own life for a year and was manipulated by her parents into regretting it when she ended up marrying a muggle

Ignored her entirely for a solid year until she found out Delphine was pregnant and then cut ties with her own family to try and patch things up with her little sister (successfully)

Eventually fell genuinely in love with her husband and had two children

Her niece and nephew are very important to her

Uncle (by marriage): Jacques Emile Cordeau

Born: September 16th, 1945

Sign: Virgo

School: Graduated from Beauxbatons

Wand: Vine Wood, Phoenix Feather Core, 13”, Springy Flexibility

Blood Status: Pure-Blood

Occupation: Obliviator

Grew up with a hefty family fortune

Also an only child, and it often times rendered him rather lonely

Both his parents were business people and they always seemed to not have enough time for him

Not necessarily bad parents, just absent, rather hands-off

A lot of the time when he would ask to spend time with them, they threw money at him and told him to do whatever he wants with it…

“cause that’s what you want, right?”

Suffice to say, it became a learned behavior and he grew up doing much the same thing

Turned into a bit of a loner

And very stand-offish

Came to resent his parents’ money, but because he was practically raised off of it alone he doesn’t know what he would do without it

Very used and accustomed to the classy, rich lifestyle

Doesn’t mean to be rude, but he likes compartmentalizing and prioritizing his time so he hates distractions

Graduated top of his class and gained a very respectable job at the Ministry, people were always sucking up to him

He didn’t like it much and he knew they didn’t really like or respect him just his money or his title

So to get them off his back, he did what his parents would do to him

Tried to do that to Adelaide when they got married, as arranged by their parents

She wouldn’t have it though, instead she took to ignoring him

It took a few years of a loveless marriage for them to open up to each other but they eventually got there

She saw past his face value and commended him for wanting to pursue a profession that helps people

Even if obliviator doesn’t seem like much of a “helping hand” job, Jacques takes pride in it and loves meeting new people

Especially when they don’t know who he is

Was able to see all the regrets Adelaide held in regards to her sister and the fear of her parents she kept buried inside

Had two children, after beginning their relationship a bit backwards, who he adores and absolutely coddles

Enjoys spending time with Adelaide’s family

The ‘Fun Uncle’ to which they always tease “You’re our only uncle!”

Devastated to hear about Jacob

Really thought that kid would go places

Cousin: Priscilla Eloise Cordeau

Born: May 9th, 1970

Sign: Taurus

School: Attended Beauxbatons

Wand: Yew Wood, Unicorn Hair Core, 12 ¾ Inches, Reasonably Swishy Flexibility

Blood Status: Pure-Blood

Her name is Priscilla but will cut you if you call her that

Just kidding

No I’m not

Prefers Pris

Her and her brother, at their roots, are very similar

They both love arguing and debating for fun

Thrive off proving people wrong

Have 194739201 different skills that just kinda happened

Will not hesitate to tell it like it is

The difference? Unlike Dominic she has some sense of dignity

A very classy girl

She’s respectful and polite, knows her manners, and when to hold her tongue

But cross her at your own peril

Everything she does is intentional

Every glance, smile, pat on the back, eyebrow arch is calculated

And she is good at math

But girl has a temper if you’ve ever seen one

Where her brother is more laid-back and, for all his own snark, easy-going, she’s impatient remembers things

You could say petty but she picks her battles

She won’t hold a grudge over little things or even big things so long as you aren’t a problem to her and your mistake won’t change or ruin anything in her routine or her ambitions

But she loathes incompetent and ignorant people

If you are either one of those… just stay clear

Tries to be the nice guy but she truly has little tolerance for such nuisances

Really isn’t that bad once you get to know her

But a lot of people don’t try

Most of them either think she’s really smart and hilarious with her sarcasm

Or extremely bitchy and insensitive

But she does have her redeeming qualities of course

For example, though it’s hard earned, she’s loyal to a fault and will never send any of her friends or family away if they need her

Doesn’t like most strangers or people she doesn’t know but also strangely likes giving back

Does some volunteer work just because “this world already sucks but maybe if I help it’ll be more tolerable”

That’s Pris for “I want to help”

Has a sweet tooth and a soft spot for animals of all kinds

Good with kids

Very be either really crude or extremely graceful... it’s really a coin toss as to which one in the moment

Actually loves history and can’t ever be found without a book on hand

Plays the flute and violin

Good at art and her brother hates it

Cousin: Dominic Jules Cordeau

Born: February 28th, 1974

Sign: Pisces

School: Attended Beauxbatons

Wand: Walnut Wood, Unicorn Hair Core, 11 ½ Inches, Brittle Flexibility

Blood Status: Pure-Blood

A smugly sarcastic little shit and he knows it

Can and will call you out, don’t try him

Sets insanely high expectations for himself so don’t be surprised if he exceeds yours

It’s in his nature to thrive, to be the best

I’m not really one for saying “if xyz was in Hogwarts they would be in abc house”

But this boy has Slytherin written all over him good god

Super ambitious and if he’s thinks you’re competition will cut you down

“It’s nothing personal, you’re just in my way”

Really, though, it’s not personal

At all

It actually takes a lot for him to hold a grudge and dislike a person

So it’s likely he just feels threatened if he gets aggressive with you

For all his tough talk this boy is sensitive

Hates insults and back-handed compliments unless you’re oh so clearly just teasing him and he’s 10008337% sure you’re joking

Has this kicked puppy expression but Pris (and his cousins whenever they’re around) are the only ones he’ll show it to without concern

Really athletic too and can absolutely annihilate you in Quidditch

But he just doesn’t most of the time because his grades are what really matter to him

Is either absolutely shameless or…

no that’s it

He’s just shameless

He can sing, he can dance, likely plays like seven instruments (like the cello and guitar) and speaks two languages aside from French and English, good at sports, math and literature (!?), and flirts like he doesn’t even realize he’s doing it

He doesn’t

But Merlin’s beard whatever you do, please do not give this child a pencil

Or literally anything else that leaves a mark

Absolutely terrible at art and drawing of any kind

And he knows this

And does it anyway

You’d think it wouldn’t be much of a problem when he messes around and draws dicks all over everything because really you can’t ever tell what it is

But that’s exactly why he feels the need to explain it

Chaotic Neutral and proud

Also a hardcore feminist, he drinks his respect women juice

Close with his sister and if you think they’re arguing you’re wrong

Bickering is just how they express their love

She’s a lot like him but classier™️

And she loves to remind him

Grandmother: Chanel Vivian Leon (née Sinclair)

Born: October 11th, 1921

Sign: Libra

School: Attended Beauxbatons

Wand: Pine Wood, Unicorn Hair Core, 10”, Slightly Yielding Flexibility

Blood Status: Pure-Blood

Occupation: Retired Ministry Employee

Youngest of four children, has three older brothers

Used to be close with her second brother, but then he began to socialize with muggle-borns and her parents told her he was a disgrace

Didn’t want to believe them at first

Hasn’t spoken to him since he graduated

Used to love nature and even to this day always keeps a white carnation in her room

Lost the taste for it a long time ago but can’t seem to let that habit go

Can’t really tell if she’s evil or just empty

Not much of an evil-doer herself but is definitely not one to put a stop to it

She just wants to be left alone

Altogether a mediocre human being at best

But her parents were able to get her a husband because she’s Pretty

Shouldn’t have been a wife

Definitely shouldn’t have been a mother

She kinda just sits

And wonders were the time went

How she lost her youth

Why she can’t feel anymore

When the world turned into just a million shades of grey

She’s just a little tired

Grandfather: Cado Josicaiah Leon

Born: August 1st, 1918

Sign: Leo

House: Slytherin

Wand: Red Oak Wood, Doxy Wing Core, 12 ½ Inches, Unyielding Flexibility

Blood Status: Pure-Blood

Occupation: Worked as an employee in the Department of Magic Regulation at the Ministry

Was the middle child of three kids, had an older sister and a younger brother

They’re doing well now, he thinks

Wishes he didn’t push them away in adolescence but too proud to admit it

Has a lot of regrets he’s unwilling to own up to

Became a death eater in the first war but didn’t serve a long term because he provided the Ministry with useful information on his colleagues

Didn’t learn his lesson though

The downfall of The Dark Lord only further pushes him to prove his superiority

Was a very controlling, power hungry man

Didn’t have charisma to hide it

But people respected him anyway because of his family fortune

Very classy and strict

A dictator in the house, liked having the say over his wife and children

Never bothered to hide the fact that he wished he’d had a son instead

Manipulated Adelaide consistently through her childhood and was extremely irritated Delphine seemed to not sway to his beliefs

Disowned her when she married a muggle and convinced Adelaide to do the same

Until even she betrayed him and he was left alone in his house with a wife who never loved him

Joined the Dark Lord again in the second war and got a life sentence in Azkaban that he did not get out of this time

Never met Rebekah and Jacob

Still in prison

[maksylmyheart]

Surprise! Olympic Medalist & DWTS Champion Meryl Davis Just Had Another Wedding with Fedor Andreev

"This ceremony was all about quality family time and special meaning, which we loved," Davis tells PEOPLE  By  Adam Carlson August 26, 2019 03:32 PM                                                                                                                                       Meryl Davis and Fedor Andreev just did their “I do”s — again!

After marrying in June, Davis, an Olympic gold medalist in ice dancing and a Dancing with the Stars champion, and skater-turned-entrepreneur Andreev had a second wedding ceremony for close family earlier this month in Detroit, PEOPLE can exclusively reveal.

The Aug. 17 ceremony was much — much — closer to home than their first: This time Davis, 32, and Andreev, 37, wed in the backyard of the home where she was born and raised, with her uncle Cam Davis officiating, in front of 11 other relatives.

The two first married in the South of France on June 22, in a summer-night ceremony on the estate of an 18th-century Provence farmhouse surrounded by nearly 100 friends and family. But Davis’ paternal grandmother, Marian, was unable to make that trip, and the couple had long known they were going to have a second ceremony stateside.

“Once my grandmother decided she couldn’t make the trip all the way to Europe, we knew we’d do something special and intimate at home,” Davis tells PEOPLE. “It was lovely, and I know she and I both really appreciated getting to share that moment together.

Though small, their second wedding did not lack for sweet touches. Davis’ parents handled “all of the preparations,” including the flowers, the decorations and the cake; they used Davis’ great-grandmother’s silverware and her grandmother’s tablecloth for the post-wedding dinner; and they “incorporated lots of other family elements throughout.”

Married before the sun had started to sink below the trees, with Marian watching from a nearby rocking chair, Davis and Andreev read letters to each other in lieu of vows. She wore a Juliette gown by A La Robe with an organza overskirt by Dan Jones; he wore a custom blue suit. (They got ready together in her childhood bedroom.)

Afterward, they had “a lovely meal just a few feet away,” Davis says.

In what Davis calls “probably one of my favorite parts” of the ceremony, her grandmother Marian and Fedor’s maternal grandmother were the witnesses for the signing of their marriage license.

“This ceremony was all about quality family time and special meaning, which we loved,” Davis says.                                                                                      

It’s been a summer of firsts for the newlyweds, who got engaged in 2017, but “we’ve been together for a long time so it doesn’t feel like a lot has changed,” Davis says.

She still gets a thrill from seeing him with his wedding band, and they enjoy their new honorifics: “husband and wife.”

RELATED: Newlywed Skaters Meryl Davis and Fedor Andreev Aren’t Quite Ready to Start a Family — ‘It’s a Ways Away’

“We’re so lucky to have embraced and celebrated our union so thoroughly this summer in the company of family and friends. Certainly a summer we’ll never forget!” Davis says.

“Too often, I think we all get caught up in working and setting our sights on where we want to go,” she says. “I think it’s important we sometimes remember to embrace the beauty of where we are, and this summer has been a wonderful example and reminder of that for us.”

https://people.com/sports/meryl-davis-second-wedding-ceremony-fedor-andreev-photos/