Was Paul proud of his Jewish genealogy and could he trace his ancestry?

Les explains that Saul was proud of his genealogy and probably was even able to trace it clear back into the Old Testament economy. He notes that Saul's father must have been some kind of man of influence, because he was already a Roman citizen. When Paul was brought under arrest by the Romans, he claimed Roman citizenship and said he was free born, not one who had bought it. Les connects these details to the man's religious fanaticism and zeal for the Traditions, noting that religion always banks on Tradition rather than doctrine.