Every human has 2 parents, 4 grandparents, 8 great-grandparents, 16 great-great-grandparents, and so on, doubling with each generation. Generally speaking, one generation is considered to be about 25 to 30 years in length. This is based on the average age of a parent when they have a child and the average age of that child when they have a child of their own. However, it can vary in different cultures and family structures.
If we count with a generation length of 25 years we are in the year 1800 already nine generations back! This means a total of (2+4+8+16+32+64+128+256+512) thousand twenty two ancestors!
We can name our ancestors based on their relation to us. For example, our parents are our first-degree relatives, our grandparents are our second-degree relatives, our great-grandparents are our third-degree relatives, and so on.
In the Netherlands we name our ancestors differently. Maybe you called your Dutch grandfather or grandmother Opa or Oma? Opa and Oma is another word for Grandfather and Grandmother.
Here a short list about how we name the first ten generations starting with Father and Mother:
1. vader / moeder
2. grootvader / - moeder
3. overgrootvader / -moeder
4. betovergrootvader / -moeder
5. oud vader / -moeder
6. oud grootvader / -moeder
7. oud overgrootvader / -moeder
8. oud betovergrootvader / -moeder
9. stam vader / moeder
10. stam grootvader / -moeder
“Walking. I am listening to a deeper way. Suddenly all my ancestors are behind me. Be still, they say. Watch and listen. You are the result of the love of thousands.”
― Linda Hogan
Would you like to know more about your ancestors?
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