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From:
Subject: Re: GENEALOGY-DNA-D Digest V04 #280
Date: Tue, 27 Apr 2004 16:38:17 EDT


In a message dated 4/27/2004 10:25:23 AM Eastern Standard Time,
, Pamela Burger writes:

> As I recall the "Celtic feet"
> characteristic was for short toes that followed a gentle rounded arc from
> the large toe, whereas in other areas people's toes were longer, with the
> second one often longer than the large toe, forming more of a pointed shape.
>
I have examples in my wife and her immediate family of what is referred to as
"Royal Irish Toes", a term brought to our attention by a non-relative who had
them in her family. It is found only on her father's side. He was a DALY
from Co. Cork. The only known royal ancestry in that line would be O'BRIEN.

The toes involved are the two next to the big toe. They clearly appear to
grow out of a single knuckle joint in a 'U' shape, though I'm sure there really
are two joints. All of the toes are somewhat short and stubby. It's quite
noticeable if you're looking for it and we always check it out on new babies!

Besides my wife, a grandson (son of a daughter) has it as well as her 1st
cousin (son of a DALY aunt). It seems to skip a generation.

Another child recently was found to have these toes. The father has an Irish
surname (JOYCE - a Galway name).

Whether the "royal" description has any basis in fact I don't know. I have
documented descent from the royal houses of all four Irish provinces, plus a
couple of other royal lines such as O'BRIEN, but lack such toes as does everyone
in my family as far as is known.
Len Keane

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