This book is no boring listing of legal documents of descent, but intended as a good general read. The foreword and introduction show how genealogy, DNA, and published historical quotations can be combined to illuminate the origin and roles of individuals bearing a particular family name . There are statistics of recent World distribution and migration of the Palmers. The investigative value and limitations of the three types of family background sources used in genealogy are discussed. The book begins with the earliest Palmer Viking oral tradition in Wales and Sweden, and moves to the story of a Welsh mediaeval knight, decorated by Richard the Lionhearted, King of England, in the Third Crusade. This and later literary origin versions of the Name in Western Europe are examined. Throughout, the current historical background of the world stage at the time is displayed as a general interest, over and above the tracing of family name. Heraldry and noble titles of Palmer individuals in Europe and the New World, along with many accomplishments in public service, commerce and the arts appear. There are a few who achieved fame in tales of notoriety. Some later racial admixture of bearers of the Palmer name is seen, part of a growing world population trend, and quoted from a notable colored author of genealogy books and films. The book ends with a penetrating question on the role of Homo Sapiens and the future of our species. The Palmer history theme is illustrated by many colored images, and some pieces of original verse on genealogy and the human condition.