Since the early 2000’s, I have studied many genealogies that trace to European Royalty. Many of them were unreliable, at best. However, the reliable ones always seem to trace to several families or individuals. When you see – as a researcher – certain families that are well documented, then you can pay close attention.

Once such family is that of Ralph Neville and Joan Beaufort. They were instrumental in building and living at Raby Castle in Durham, England. Ralph first married Margaret Stafford and had 8 children by her. After her death, he married Joan Beaufort, the widow of Sir Robert Ferrers, by whom she had 2 children. Together, Ralph and Joan had 14 more children.

Joan Beaufort was the mother of 16 children, at least. Ralph Neville was the father of 22 children, at least. Together, they raised 24 children in total (at least). This explains why so many royal lines have ties to this couple. More details below. Wes descends from Ralph through children from both of his wives.

Over the years researching families – both of my parents, both of my wife’s parents, my former wife’s parents, my sister-in-law, and others – I have found lines where all of them can trace back to this Sir Ralph Neville. For more details, see my page about this man and our lineages back to him. Sir Ralph Neville’s page.