Can anyone tell me what the motto on the Byrnes coat of arms means? Certavi et vici.
Unfortunately, I did not study Latin, so I am at a loss. We're having a Byrnes family reunion in the State of Washington in September, and I know someone is going to ask me.
Help!

The Motto translates "I HAVEE FOUGHT AND CONQUERED"
I hope this answers you question.

Write any time, I am in the process of searching out three of
our Grandpartent, what a fun time.

Bob Byrnes

Thank you for the information, Bob!

When did your family come from Ireland, and where did they settle?

My Byrnes family came over before 1800, we think our ancestor was an M. Byrn found on the manifest of a ship that landed in Boston from Ireland in 1762 or 4 (can't remember right now, and don't have the info in front of me). The family was known to have been in Grafton, N.H. before 1800, then migrated westward through Ohio and Michigan into Kankakee County, Illinois where they put down roots. Much of the family still remains there, but my branch migrated after 1865 to Kansas and around 1900 to the Pacific Northwest.

WHEN IS THE BYRNES REUNION IN WASHINGTON IN SEPTEMBER??
I WOULD LIKE TO GO
BB

Unfortunately, Bill, the reunion had already passed when you posted your reply. We had contacted all the family members that we knew of, and I did post a notice of it in the reunion message board.
Who were your parents and grandparents? Do you live in Oregon or Washington? The reunion was basically for people descended from James Bryan Byrnes and his wife Lucy Lura Hammond Byrnes who were both born in Kankakee County, Illinois, were married there, then moved to Kansas and later to the Pacific Northwest (arriving in Washington in 1899). But we would have welcomed any other Byrnes to the reunion. James Bryan Byrnes' parents were George W. Byrnes and Sabra Anna Hawkins Byrnes. They had 2 other sons: Joel B. Byrnes and George W. Byrnes, Jr., and I know next to nothing about what became of those branches of the family. I have a hint that maybe descendents of George W. Byrns (or Byrnes), Jr. may have also settled in the Northwest, but I haven't had a chance to track them down yet. There are still members of the family in Kankakee County, but they spell their name Byrns, and it now appears that our ancestors originally spelled the name that way, and then later added an e to it.
Let me know if you might be related to OUR branch of the Byrnes family!

looking for Robert Byrnes, Father of Barbara, any help ?

Marsha: I am a descendent of the GW & Sabra Hawkins Byrnes
family and just beginning my family search. GWB II and
many of his family are still in the Kankakee Co. area.
This was my first visit to roots.web and am excited
to find your message.

Hello to Marsha and I too am a decendendt of George W. Byrnes and Sabra Anna Hawkins. My Great Great Grandfather was James Bryan Byrnes, my Great Grandfather was Alfred Adelphus Byrnes, my Grandfather was James Raymond Byrnes, and my mother is Billee Celile (Byrnes) Schrieber.
I wish I could have been at the reunion but did not hear about it untill it was over. Uncle Gene Raymond Byrnes gave me a copy of your Byrnes Family Reunion book and it is highly treasured.
Respectfully,
Gene Alan Schrieber

Hi, LSwartz!
Was very glad to hear from you! Do I understand you correctly that you are a descendant of George W. Byrnes (or Byrns), Jr and his wife? I have not been in any contact with any of that branch of the family previously.

Are you one of the ones who still live in the Kankakee County area?
If so, have you been in contact with Bill Byrns? He is descended from George W. Byrnes, Sr.'s brother, James Byrns. He has a lot of information about the Byrns/Byrnes family. If you haven't been in contact with him, here is his email address: billbyrns@earthlink.net
As soon as I know for sure how you fit into the family I'll be glad to send you more information and share some old photos with you. I'll contact you directly by email.
Marsha

I was sorry you couldn't be at the Reunion, too, Gene. Maybe the next time I get up to the Northwest I'll be able to meet you and your mother.
Marsha