I first began searching my family tree in the 8th grade for a school project.  I traced my family back to my grandparents’ grandparents.  At the time, I learned of two family “legends”….

The first Reilly supposedly came over to the United States in the 1800s because he had to flee Ireland.  According to story, he was about to be hung as a horse thief.

The second family legend its that my mother’s side of the family is part Native American, a Cherokee princess no less.  The Native American name its supposedly Rainwater.

Since the 8th grade, I’ve continued to research the family history, and have not been able to substantiate either story, though I’m pretty sure there is Native Ancestry.  I just don’t think it was either Cherokee or a princess.

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