Preamble

William Holder

This Family Genealogy was researched to establish the ancestors and descendants of John Henry Holder and Dora Belle Stewart. This Family Genealogy is based on information taken from papers and documents received from family members. It also based on information from other researchers of these families, some of a separate lineage with information to share as well as information discovered by the researcher. Most of the information in this research is documented and is factually true. Some of the information is not documented but it is the opinion of this researcher as well as other researchers, that based on the discovered information is in fact true. Where the statements are used, "it is believed" is a case of that condition. Where the statements are used, "no other information is available" in some cases this person was not of this particular lineage and it was the decision of this writer not to research them further at this time. In other cases the information was truly not available. However, the family genealogy is a continuing research and will be updated if and when factual information is discovered.

This Family Genealogy is formatted in four (4) separate books.

1. Book 1 is titled "The Ancestors of John Henry Holder"


2. Book 2 is titled "The Ancestors of Dora Belle Stewart" (Includes direct, lateral and 1st co-lateral lineages)


3. Book 3 is titled " The Ancestors of Dora Belle Stewart" (Includes 2nd co-lateral and beyond)


4. Book 4 is titled "The Descendents of John Henry Holder and Dora Belle Stewart"

The Holder Family lineage begins with John Holder and Mary Padgett. At this time there is no available information prior to the year 1815 when John Holder was born, however, research continues and this family genealogy will be updated as the information permits. Ancestors of the John Henry Holder that are of this genealogy only are shown with number prefixed with the letter H.

The Stewart Family lineage begins with Hamin De Dinam and Raentlina De Cad, (of The Ruling House of Brittany) where the origin of the Stewarts (Stuarts) and FitzAlan began. Ancestors of Dora Belle Stewart that are of this genealogy only are shown with a number prefixed with the letter S.

The Descendents of John Henry Holder and Dora Belle Stewart are shown with a number prefixed with the letters HS and will re-start with the 1st Generation.

What's in a name ??
The following was taken from "The Historical Research Center"
Family names are infinitely more varied than personel names, having been culled from more diverse sources, having undergone more changes of form, and having come from many more different languages.

Of surnames in Germany, it has been said that family names did not come into employ until late in the Middle ages. First of all, the nobility in the twelfth century called themselves after their ancestral seats. Such surnames were usually prefixed by "Von". Then, among the citizens they were adopted in the fourteenth century, but did not become general until the sixteenth century .

The Holder surname:
There are two explanations for the origin of the German surname Holder and it's varients, Hoelder and Holderer. Firstly, the name is of local origin that is derived from the geographical feature, either man made or natural, near which the original bearer once lived or held land. In this instance, the name is derived from the Old High German word "holuntar, holantar" which means "elder tree", Thus the name indicates "one who dwelled at or near an elder tree". Occasionally the name is also oftoponymic origin, denoting, "one who came from Holder, (elder-tree)" the name of several places, twenty of which are in the province of Wurtemburg. Alternatively, the name is of patronymic origin, belonging to the category of surnames derived from the first name of the father of the initial bearer. In this case the name denotes, "son of Holder"a varient of Holdear, which is derived from the Old High German word "huldi, hulda" meaning "gracious, grace". The earliest record of this surname or a variant dates back to the fourteenth century when one Burkhart der Holder was recorded as a citizen of Esslingen in the year 1319.

The Stewart surname:
Stewart (Stuart), the royal family of England and Scotland. This line originated with a Breton emigrant, Alan Seneschal Fitz- Flaad, a follower of the Norman conqueror who became the English king William I. Alan Seneschal Fitz-Flaad's grandson, Walter Seneschal Flaad Fitz-Alan, was appointed the 1st High Steward of the Royal House of Scotland to the Scottish King David I.

From the 12th to the 14th century the stewardship descended from father to son; the hereditary title became a surname that was later modified to Stewart or Stuart.

The Stewart family name was established in this lineage in the 13th century. The name changed consistantly for eight generations until Alexander Fitz-Walter "The 4th Great Steward of Scotland" assumed the surname of Stewart.

From 1371 to 1714,14 Stewarts, (Stuarts) in succession ruled Scotland, the last six of these ruled also in England.

Family names in General
Prior to the middle ages, family names were usually derived by using a prefix to the name of the place they were from or held land or titles, or a prefix or suffix to the given name of their father. Because of this method of selection, the surname changed with every generation. In some cases the surnames were just chosen for no apparent reason.

Listed below are some of the orefix's and suffix's used and their meaning.

The Prefix's, De, de, D', d' are of French origin and means of or from. These were used consistently by the French, and were used in many cases by other nationalities The English, Scotch and Spanish also frequently used this prefix.

The prefix's, Fitz, Mc and Mac, are of Scotish origin and means child of.

The prefix's, Mc and 0', are of Irish Origin and means child of.

The prefix, Von is of German origin and means ofor from.

The prefix, Van is of Dutch origin and means of or from.

The suffix, "son" is of Nordic origin and used by the Swedes, the Danes, and Norwegians, (the Vikings) in conjunction with the father's given name to establish the son's surname. If the child was a girl then the suffix's "datter" or "dottir" was used.

This Family Genealogy was researched, formatted, written and exhibited by William D. Holder and is dedicated to all of the descendants and relatives of John Henry Holder and Dora Belle Stewart.

At the time of this writing, August 24, 2000, there are four (4) surviving children of John and Dora. They are: Mrs. Mattie Lou Holder Brown (widow) of Montgomery, Alabama, Mrs. Sallie Mae Holder Baxter Mauldin (widow) of Las Vegas, Nevada, Mrs. Johnnie Elizabeth Holder Clemens of Hobbs, New Mexico and William D. Holder of Katy, Texas.