This is the classic version of the Menard family crest. The inscription that goes with it is:
“D’or a une main sen., tentant un arc. de gu, bande de sa., pose en pal”
Or for the Latin challenged:
“Gold, A left hand holding a red bow, stringed black, posed vertically.”
Family lore says that Pierre Menard is either my great-great-great-great grandfather or my great*5 grandfather. Either way, my Dad’s extensive work to connect us genealogically has not proven this out. Pierre Menard was a fur trader in his youth and a contemporary of Lewis and Clark. He later became active in Illinios state politics and was the state’s first Lieutenant Governer.
As far as we know, we’re no kin to the Menard’s hardware stores in the midwest (or, by association, the Menard’s racing team). At least, they haven’t been sending us any checks.
“Idealism increases in direct proportion to one’s distance from the problem.” — John Galsworthy
