branch

A portion of the descendants of a person, who trace their descent to some common ancestor, who is himself a descendant of such person. The whole of a genealogy is often called the "genealogical tree," and sometimes it is made to take the form of a tree, which is in the first place divided into as many branches as there are children, afterwards into as ample, it be desired to form the genealbg^ical tree of Peter's family, Peter will be made the trunk of the tree; if he has had two children, John and James, their names will be written on the first two branches, which will themselves shoot out into as many smaller branches as John and James have children; from these others proceed, till the whole family is represented on the tree. Thus the origin, the application, and the use of the word "branch" in genealogy will be at once perceived. See "Line."

A portion of the descendants of a person, who trace their descent to some common ancestor, who is himself a descendant of such person. The whole of a genealogy is often called the genealogical tree; and sometimes it is made to take the form of a tree, which is in the first place divided into as many branches as there are children, afterwards into as many branches as there are grandchildren, then great-grandchildren, etc. If, for example, it be desired to form the genealogical tree of Peter's family, Peter will be made the trunk of the tree; if he has had two children, John and James, their names will be written on the first two branches, which will themselves shoot out into as many smaller branches as John and James have children; from these others proceed, till the whole family is represented on the tree. Thus the origin, the application, and the use of the word branch in genealogy will be at once perceived.

An offshoot, lateral extension or subdivision. A branch of a family stock is a group of persons, related among themselves by descent from a common ancestor, and related to the main stock by the fact that that common ancestor descends from the original founder or progenitor.

— Branch of the sea. This term, as used at common law, included rivers in which the tide ebbed and flowed. Arnold v. Mundy, 6 N. J. Law, 86, 10 Am. Dec. 356.

— Branch pilot. One possessing a license, commission, or certificate of competency issued by the proper authority and usually after an examination. U. S. v. Forbes, 25 Fed. Cas. 1141; Petterson v. State (Tex. Cr. App.) 58 S. W. 100; Dean v. Healy, 66 Ga. 503; State v. Follett, 33 La. Ann. 228.

— Branch railroad. A lateral extension of a main line ; a road connected with or issuing from a main line, but not a mere incident of it and not a mere spur or side-track, not one constructed simply to facilitate the business of the chief railway, but designed to have a business of its own in, the transportation of persons and property to and from places not reached by the principal line. Akers v. Canal Co., 43 N. J. Law, 110; Biles v. Rnilroad Co., 5 Wash. 509. 32 Pac. 211; Grennan v. McGregor, 78 Cal. 258, 20 Pac. 559; Newhall v. Railroad Co.., 14 111. 274; Blanton v. Railroad Co., 86 Va. 618, 10 S. E. 925.

See Railroad. BBAIfD. To burn; to mark, stamp. In common parlance, to mark. What was formerly done by a hot iron in the way of marking packages is now done by the stencil plate. In referring to marks upon packages of merchandise, the use of stencil plates is denominated " branding " quite as often as otherwise. "To brand" has become an equivalent expression with to stamp and to mark.' See Burn.

This is a metaphorical expression, which designates, in the genealogy of a numerous family, @ portion of that family, which has sp from the same root or stock; these latter expressions, like the first are also metaphorical. The whole of a is often called the pouenoey genealogical tree, and sometimes it ig made to take the form of a trce, which is in the first place divided into as many branches as there are children, afterwards into as many branches as there are grand children, then of great grand children, &c. If, for example, it be desired to form the genealogical tree of Peter’s family, Peter will be made the trunk of the tree, if he has had two children, John and James, their names will be written on the first two branches, which will themselves shoot out as many twigs as John and James have children; these will produce others till the whole family shall be represented on the tree; thus the origin, the application and use of the word branch in genealogy will be at once perceived.