Even if a distant tree is more wishful thinking than anything else, the contemporary aspects can shine lights in dark corners, and the Victorian genealogist had access to a lot of material we would find difficult to research.
I have found the trees really useful, while the antiquarian's knowledge of heraldry has helped with aspects I have missed.
Conversely, of course, there are now sources previously unavailable which disprove a solid looking connection, but on the whole the research is far more carefully considered than that undertaken today.
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The chestnuts cast their flambeaux
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