History of my Name:

When I say "G-Granddad" I mean Poppa Doc's father, Gilbert Randolph Stephens

Mary Evleyn Gilbert married Nathan Bryan (making them G-Granddad's maternal grandparents). Mr. Nathan Bryan is the one with the note Poppa Doc and Oma have on their wall, for passage to join the Civil War fighting for Confederates.

Their daughter, Magil Bell Bryan married John Abram Stephens and they gave birth to G-Granddad, who was named Gilbert Randolph Stephens.

The Randolph comes up as G-Granddad's paternal grandma , Caroline Randolph. So G-Granddad was named for his two grandmothers, Ms. Gilbert and Ms. Randolph. (Interestingly, when G-Granddad's parents married it made his mom Magil Bell Bryan-Stephens).

Poppa Doc says he thinks it will be so strange for their to be another Gil Stephens, but then Oma reminds him I have a second cousin named Melitta, after Oma's mother.

Thanks Oma, for helping Daddy with this family history!

Daddy Notes:

Gilbert is a Germanic word, meaning Trusted, or Pledge. In the past, great Princes would send one of their sons (often the oldest) to live with a rival prince. With each other's sons, peace was ensured.

Nathan is derived from the Hebrew, and means Gift from God. He certainly is.