Christ Will Be There

J. Christ will be attending the Mass held by Pope Benedict at Yankee Stadium today.

A "regular Catholic," [John] Christ, a former sanitation director for the Fashion Center Business Improvement District, was born 62 years ago to an Italian mother and Greek father who Americanized his name from Christopoulos. He pronounces his surname "Chris."

Through school, his name was never an issue - until he enlisted in the Army in 1966. "They teased me," he recalled. "They asked me if I walked on water and made me do more pushups and run a little longer than the other guys." [Link]

That's His Cross to Bare

Samuel Tippit's website features both his pedigree and a photograph of his lower back.

At SamBloodRoyal.com one gets an opportunity to see the family tree of Samuel Tippit, an individual with Merovingian roots, (which refers to a prominent French royal family). The Merovingians are a historically-proven group of people who have been theorized to be the ‘lost’ descendants of Christ. The proof of their linkage to Christ is through complex historical associations and a special birthmark that is in the shape of a red cross. Samuel Tippit possesses such a birthmark.

Sam could use his birthmark to claim all the privileges of a Messiah, but chooses not to.

While he has a strong spiritual side, he is not interested in being the next ‘Christ.’ His focus is mainly presenting the facts, so people can have a chance to decide for themselves what is true. [Link]

Director: Good Odds It's the Son of God

Those caskets found in Israel contained the bones of their occupants, and mitochondrial DNA was reportedly extracted from the boxes labeled "Yeshua" and "Mariamne" (better known as Jesus and Mary Magdalene). Critics argue that the names on the ossuaries were common among Jews of the era, to which Lost Tomb of Jesus director Simcha Jacobovici responds, Consider the odds.

"There are really only two possibilities," says director Jacobovici. "Either this cluster of names represents the tomb of Jesus of Nazareth and his family. Or some other family, with this very same constellation of names, existed at precisely the same time in history in Jerusalem."

To calculate the odds, Mr. Jacobovici took the data to University of Toronto mathematician Dr. Andrey Feuerverger. Factoring in the commonality of these names in first-Century Israel, Dr. Feuerverger puts the odds of this tomb not belonging to Jesus and his family at one in 600. [Link]

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!

A team of filmmakers that includes Titanic director James Cameron will present evidence on Monday that Jesus' burial site has been found.

The story starts in 1980 in Jerusalem’s Talpiyot neighborhood, with the discovery of a 2,000 year old cave containing ten coffins. Six of the ten coffins were carved with inscriptions reading the names: Jesua son of Joseph, Mary, Mary, Matthew, Jofa (Joseph, identified as Jesus’ brother), Judah son of Jesua (Jesus’ son - the filmmakers claim).

Although the cave was discovered nearly 30 years ago and the casket inscriptions decoded ten years ago, the filmmakers are the first to establish that the cave was in fact the burial site of Jesus and his family. [Link]

A film about the discovery will be broadcast on the international Discovery Channel, Britain's Channel 4, Canada’s Vision and Israel's Channel 8. I hope the film is better than the website.

Publication Prior to Proof

Vern G. Swanson has written a Da Vinci Code of his own, arguing in Dynasty of the Holy Grail: Mormonism's Sacred Bloodline that LDS founder Joseph Smith was a descendant of Jesus. And yet, he doesn't sound very confident in his thesis.

Swanson admits he can't prove the LDS Church's first president was descended from Christ. He also concedes that if Jesus indeed fathered children, millions of his descendants could be alive today. Swanson says he came to his conclusion by weaving together circumstantial threads from history and hopes to correct errors in a future edition.

"I'm inching towards the truth. I haven't found the truth. I have no hard evidence," says the art historian and scholar. "I wish I could say I had some secret evidence that no one else has." [Link]

What Was the Name Again?

A Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article tells how people with difficult-to-pronounce names cope with those whose tongues are easily twisted. Sayeh Tavangar, a native of Iran, uses the name "Lola" when ordering at Starbucks, because "It's just so much easier."

"Every time I tell people I'm Persian, they say, 'Oh, Peru,'" she says, laughing even harder. "And I think, if this person thinks I'm from Peru, is it worth correcting them? Do I even want to talk to them?" [Link]

Tavangar plans to give her children Persian names that are "very hard to pronounce," so that someday they too can order overpriced coffee under the name "Lola."

Incidentally, the article quotes a deputy clerk for the U.S. District Court as saying, "You can change your name to anything but Jesus Christ." This is not true. Just ask Jesus Christ of Manhattan or, for that matter, any of the five people of that name whose numbers are listed.

A Divine Comedy

Will Ferrell's production company has successfully pitched a pilot to FOX called "Church of Steve," in which a blue-collar New Jersey man discovers he's a descendant of Jesus.

[Writer Chris] Henchy said his "Steve" won't have any religious superpowers, nor will the pilot script confirm that Steve is, in fact, actually a blood relative of Jesus.

Instead, the pilot sets up a scenario in which a biblical scholar from Italy comes to the conclusion that Steve is a descendant of Christ. Except for a few of his close friends and relatives, Steve -- who'll be unmarried and without children -- keeps the news of his lineage a secret. [Link]

Definitive Proof is Overrated

Kathleen McGowan, author of The Expected One and purported descendant of Jesus, explains how her conclusions were jumped to.

In terms of my own family connection, what I did discover--and I had no idea until I was deeply immersed in this, because I came from a very strong Irish traditional family and I didn’t pay a lot of attention to the fact that I have French blood on one side--but, I discovered that my grandmother’s maiden name, Pascal, which is also the name that I use for my character, has a very fascinating family connection to the bloodline.

[I]t’s not a question of, "Oh, I have a genealogy that dates back to Jesus." Such a thing never exists. It’s impossible to do that because those kinds of records weren’t kept in the early part of our history.

Anyone who says that they can definitively prove their genealogy back to this lineage is lying. It can’t be done. But, what we can do is we can say, we know that these family names have had associations for hundreds or even more years and that’s a starting point. [Link]

Unfortunately, she wasn't able to turn up Jesus' last name, which would have made things much easier. (In case you're wondering, "Christ" doesn't count.)

The Genealogy of Jesus

Have you been looking for a video of Jesus Christ's genealogy set to a bouncy tune? Your search is over.

Mel Gibson Isn't Moronic, He's Pharaonic

A new book purports to prove that those people we call "Scottish" are in truth Egyptian. Ralph Ellis—author of Cleopatra to Christ: Jesus Was the Great Grandson of Cleopatra—claims to present in Scota, Egyptian Queen of the Scots new proof for the old theory that a pharaoh's daughter and her husband, a Greek king, emigrated to Scotland circa way back when.

According to tradition, this royal family was expelled from Egypt during a time of great uprising. They sailed west, settling initially in Spain before travelling to Ireland and then on to the west coast of Scotland. This same race of people eventually battled and triumphed over the Picts to become the Scots – the people who united this country.

Few historians have taken the story to be anything more than a verbose bit of Middle Ages origin story-spinning, created by a nation who needed to prove that they were of ancient stock.

"Most political entities [in medieval times] try and trace the origin of their race back into biblical times," says Steve Boardman, lecturer in Scottish history at Edinburgh University. "It was a way of asserting the natural existence of the kingdom of the Scots." [Link]

Da Vinci Code Blue! This Theory's Still Alive!

Was Dan Brown right? One respected genealogist has evidence that the Priory of Sion so important to The Da Vinci Code wasn't dreamed up in the 1950s as critics allege, but quite a bit earlier.

I, Arlene Eakle, professional genealogist and PhD in English History, know that the Antiquaries believed Sion was established as early as 1099, and connected to the Knights Templars with the same grandmaster serving both. Then in 1188, the two were restructured with separate leadership and treasuries. These early genealogists, for that is what the Antiquaries were, also knew that Sion supported the Merovingian royal lineage, still working closely with and in some enterprises, still connected to the Knights Templars. I know because I researched and documented not only their vision but also their achievement.

One idea that intrigues me is the real possibility that Prince Michael Stewart of Albany could be a direct lineal, and living descendant from Mary Magdalene. [Link, via Genealogy Blog]

Prince Michael Stewart of Albany is Belgium-born Michael Lafosse, who claims descent from "Bonnie Prince Charlie." Is he also a descendant of Jesus? You be the judge.

Writer Shows Off Her Holy Genes

Kathleen McGowan is convinced that she's a descendant of Jesus and Mary Magdalene—so convinced that she's written an "autobiographical religious thriller" to prove it. Her publisher believes her, but isn't disclosing the results of her Jesus DNA Test.

"It's an interesting back story, but we're marketing this fabulous novel," says Trish Todd, editor in chief at Touchstone, a division of Simon & Schuster.

Todd says she has no problem believing McGowan's claim that she descends from a marriage between Jesus and Mary Magdalene. "Yes, I believe her. Her passion and her mission are so strong, how can she not be?" [Link]

The Expected One is due out July 25. No word on when the rest of us get our book deals.

Da Vinci Code Sequel Causes Uproar

A Genealogue Exclusive [What's That?]

Dan Brown's much-anticipated follow-up to The Da Vinci Code will again feature Harvard professor Robert Langdon, this time trying to prove that 19th-century El Paso resident Jesus Delgado has descendants now living. This contradicts a Delgado family history published in 1956, which states that Jesus "died without issue."

Maria Delgado Montes, whose late father compiled the genealogy, is outraged that Brown would cast doubt on the book's veracity.

"If you'll pardon the expression, this is the 'Bible' of Delgado genealogy," she says, holding up a well-worn copy. "Everybody thinks so ... except that godless heathen at The American Genealogist who said it needed more footnotes. What gives Dan Brown the right to attack my father's book—especially the story of Jesus?"

Her outrage is shared throughout the El Paso area, where Jesus is something of a legend, remembered for his remarkable compassion. On one occasion, Jesus was climbing Mount Cristo Rey outside the city when he came upon a European immigrant giving birth. People still talk about his delivering the German on the Mount.

Brown alleges in his forthcoming book that Jesus secretly married a woman of doubtful reputation and produced a son whose descendants have controlled El Paso politics for generations. Shortly before his son's birth, Jesus was arrested for washing the feet of Jewish strangers against their will. He was executed soon after by a Texas governor eager to prove that he was tough on crime.

"He couldn't have married her," insists Maria—a great-great-grandniece of Jesus. "And if he did, it was only to redeem her reputation. And if he fathered a son, it was only to prove that she was worthy of carrying his child. Is there anything nobler?"

Despite this hypothesizing, Maria is confident that her father will be vindicated in the end.

"His research has been proven correct every time it's been challenged," she says. "Some say he was infallible, but that's going too far. After all, he did leave off a comma on page 327."

Searching for God at RootsWeb.com

With all the controversy over The Da Vinci Code and its premise that Jesus married Mary Magdalene, it's easy to forget that, according to Catholicism, Christ has had many brides.

The proof is as close as the WorldConnect Project, where several genealogists have listed "Jesus Christ" or "God" as the spouse of their convent-dwelling relatives. Relatives like Gertrude Griffin (Sister Mary Margaret), and Elizabeth Eugenia Vannucci (Sister Betty).

Searching for God references at WorldConnect shows how creative family historians can be when recording nonstandard information. His birth and death dates are given as "Alpha" and "Omega," and as "Always Was Always Is Always Will Be" and "Never." Ian Thomas reveals that God is "Deceased," but omits the date. The GEDCOM format allows for no easy explanation of God's begetting children centuries apart—in some cases leading to confusion over Adam's relationship to the Virgin Mary and to Jesus.

And then there is this entry, which lists God only as an uncooperative witness.

[tagged: genealogy, family tree, ancestry]

The Da Vinci Co-Opt

The predicament in which Da Vinci Code author Dan Brown finds himself should be familiar to many genealogists. He based his work on the work of his predecessors—in Brown's case, the authors of The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail—and now those predecessors want credit.

And several million dollars.

The outcome of the court case in London could hinge on whether the content borrowed—including the genealogy of Jesus Christ's descendants—was factual or fictional. Here's the problem for the plaintiffs: If their book was factual, they may not have a leg to stand on. As all Internet-educated lawyers know, "You can't copyright facts," although the arrangement of those facts may be protected. If, on the other hand, they argue that the Jesus genealogy sprang from their own feverish minds, they'd better stop touting Holy Blood, Holy Grail as an "extraordinarily provocative, meticulously researched book."

The lesson for genealogists is clear: Steal only from people who didn't make stuff up.

[tagged: genealogy, family tree, ancestry]

Jesus is Just All Right With the Germans

From The Arizona Republic:

German 'name police' active

Authorities ban kookie, complex names for kids

Mary Jacoby
Wall Street Journal
Oct. 15, 2005 12:00 AM

LUXEMBOURG - Young Leonhard Matthias Grunkin-Paul has a problem: His name is illegal.

The German boy's divorced parents want Leonhard to be known by their combined last names, an increasingly common practice elsewhere. But authorities in Germany, citing a law against hyphens, have refused to allow it. So Leonhard, born in 1998, officially has no last name at all.

[snip]

A Dusseldorf court in 1998 rejected the name Chenekwahow Migiskau Nikapi-Hun-Nizeo Alessandro Majim Chayara Inti Ernesto Prithibi Kioma Pathar Henriko, on the grounds that the mother's wish to honor multiculturalism shouldn't result in an awkwardly long name for the child. A Frankfurt court upheld the name Jesus the same year, in part because it's widely known that Christ was male, leaving little room for gender confusion.

[snip]

[Read the whole story]

Da Vinci Code Fans Need Not Apply

From icWales:

Can anyone crack Wales' Da Vinci Code?

Oct 5 2005

Sam Burson, Western Mail

WALES' version of The Da Vinci Code remains cloaked in history amid fears there may be no experts learned enough to reveal more about the religious manuscript.

The Genealogy of Jesus Christ has triggered a sensation since being discovered at the National Library of Wales earlier this year.

The 17th-century tome lists huge amounts of information on the bloodlines of biblical characters, including Jesus himself. It also contains intriguingly crossed- out passages about Mary Magdalene, a figure also central to Dan Brown's phenomenal best seller The Da Vinci Code.

[snip]

Llandovery College Dean Peter Hogan, who discovered the manuscript among papers belonging to the public school at the Aberystwyth library, is now having to play a waiting game.

He said yesterday, "If anybody can help us find out more about this, we would be more than glad to hear from them."

[snip]

[Read the whole story]

You have a friend (an ancestor?) in Jesus: Part 2

Standard DNA tests to establish common ancestry can cost several hundreds of dollars, depending on how many markers are checked. A group called The True Jesus Organization has included a DNA test on their website which is absolutely free.

"We, the Actual Descendants of Jesus and Mary Magdalene’s Children Welcome You," says the intro page. Scroll down and listen to the mp3 file to see if you can claim the couple as ancestors. You will hear a man speaking in a calm voice of memories "recorded at the DNA-level" nearly 2,000 years ago. "Anyone who properly repeats the name of a Christ-level ancestor," he says, "activates Christ-level energies recorded in their DNA, and receives Christ-level spiritual energy." By the end of the 10-minute recording, you will have taken the test (I believe I failed) and been invited to a seminar.

The website also gives us "Electro-Magnetic Reasons Why Rapture is Only for Those with Open Minds." If true, I will undoubtedly be left behind.

You have a friend (an ancestor?) in Jesus

It's not surprising that 101 individuals have posted the ancestry of Jesus to the WorldConnect Project. After all, the authors of the Gospels themselves showed interest in his genealogy. Matthew traced Christ's lineage (through his step-father Joseph) from Abraham; and Luke traced it all the way back to Adam.

What is surprising is how many individuals have posted information on the progeny of Jesus. Entering the names of "Jesus Christ" and spouse "Mary" into the search engine, and checking the box next to "Has Descendants," brings up 18 databases, some of which claim to show living descendants of the couple.

The common source seems to be Bloodline of the Holy Grail: The Hidden Lineage of Jesus Revealed, by Laurence Gardner. Disclaimer: I've never read it, or The Da Vinci Code (nor do I intend to). The apparent gist: All/most/some of Europe's royal families descend from Jesus and Mary Magdalene, so anyone who can prove his descent from these royals can extend his family tree back to Adam.

It has always baffled me why so many genealogists are anxious to prove their descent from royalty—so anxious that they'll accept any specious theory as true. Gustave Anjou didn't say "There's a sucker born every minute," but he should have.

(For more Biblical fun, try searching for "Adam," wife "Eve," father "God.")