See my comments #212 and #213. Perhaps something of interest there. Regarding your Spanish bit, a number of Spanish sailors from the Spanish Armada against Queen Elizabeth were shipwrecked on Irish shores and perhaps Welsh shores. The Irish and Spanish were Catholic and the Welsh weren’t too happy with the British either. Many a liaison probably took place. Have you ever heard the term “black Irish?” That refers to the coloring of those Irish with some Spanish ancestry. If you read #212 you will see that my husbands mother from Iowa hid the fact of his Indian ancestry for many years. In the early and even mid 1900s Indians were often refused service of alcohol in Iowa.
I’m also directly related to John & Priscilla (Mullins) Alden of ‘Mayflower’ fame, (10th or 11th gr-grandparents) so it’s nice to meet you, cousin! :)
My Spanish connection on my mom’s side is probably later than the Armada-most likely a Spanish/Portuguese/Mediterranean sailor that married my New England WASP 7th or 8th gr-grandmother.
I’ve read the ‘Black Irish’ weren’t necessarily Spanish, but more genetically related to the original Celts, who differed genetically from the Viking invaders, who gave many modern Irish their blue/green eyes and red/blonde hair. I’m not 100% sure about that; I think it’s just a theory for now.
It would be great for FR to have a genealogy corner, to discuss various family theories. Lots of fun!