It’s not like the Brady Bunch or even a stairway banister decorated with bunches of flowers. It’s a group of people sharing a last name, whether it’s spelled with one “n” or two. It’s not a family I grew up in, nor do I attend family reunions. I’ve only recently come to learn that I was apparently born of two Banisters, but I’m mostly known as a Johnston. It’s no wonder that I have a curiosity about the “Ban(n)ister Bunch,” and it’s why I’ve created the Jerry Banister Family Tree on Ancestry.com. My wife, who knows the whole story, kids me about my obsession with what she calls, “Ban(n)ister World.”

The Jerry Banister Family Tree is now officially Ban(n)ister World, since the name now exceeds all others on its branches. With over 11,500 total names, nearly 550 have the last name of Ban(n)ister or were born one. It now surpasses Legg, Hall, Greathouse, Foist, Taylor, and Emly, or their surname variations throughout the years. Each is now a member of the 100 Club, having at least a hundred leaves on the tree. It’s been a lot of work trying to find the connections to this “Ban(n)ister Bunch” that are mostly strangers.

I’m using my DNA test results to determine how I fit in. At this point, I’ve easily found over 100, but new ones pop-up every day. For example, debv8 showed up today on my Ancestry.com match list as #16 (2nd to 3rd cousin). She is a Banister that I’ve already met because we also tested through 23andMe. We share 209 Centimorgans over 9 segments. (See Posts #719 and Post #786), and both take an interest in Ban(n)ister family genealogy. I also sent her a note regarding a Burrel Banister that shows up on the constructed family trees of some of my other DNA matches. He’s shown as Laborn Banister’s father, who I originally thought was the “end” of the family branch. It could be wishful thinking on someone’s part in trying to extend the lineage, but there’s a curious DNA link to this theory.

Speculation like this is what makes genealogy interesting. You can add anything you want to your tree until someone proves you incorrect. As a result, there are many inaccuracies! I’m first to admit that my rookie efforts to determine family connections are often confused. However, it does inspire conversations with others that are interested in protecting the family interests. Plus, I know all about keeping family secrets and skeletons in the closet! Consequently, I always refer to those that have been doing this for many years, so they can show me the errs of my ways. In the meantime, the “Ban(n)ister Bunch” continues to flourish, as I continue to suffer from “Ban(n)ister Butt,” the result of sitting at the computer too long. It’s time to run some errands and walk the dogs.