A Strange Story of the Armentrout Sisters
with Alan Kaylor Cline
Friday, October 10, 2025, 10:30 am
Alan Kaylor Cline took a fascinating dive into illegitimacy and the search for clues to explain his family tree. Cline’s research explores a puzzling chapter in his Civil War–era family: why did four sisters have six children over eight years outside of marriage? One of these daughters is Cline’s great-great-grandmother, and one of the children is his great-grandfather.
For more than twenty years, Cline wrestled with this genealogical mystery, only to discover there was no “great-great-grandfather Cline”—a family secret long suppressed. Through his research, he hopes to gather facts, clarify misunderstandings, and spark conversation that might shed light on the circumstances.
This event appealed to anyone interested in history, genealogy, or the surprising stories that families hold. Come explore history through personal discovery and bring your own insights and questions. Perhaps, the discussion will solve this challenging genealogical puzzle!
Alan Kaylor Cline is a Harrisonburg native but has lived nearly his entire life elsewhere. Since 1975 he has been in Austin, Texas where he was a professor of Mathematics and Computer Science at The University of Texas. As is true with many local families, his ancestors came to the county in the pre-Revolutionary times. He has been inspired to spend years discovering family stories.
