Your Ancestors

My grandma's cousin married a woman whose stage name was Edna Knollys. They appeared together at the Shakespeare Theatre, Liverpool in 1906 in a production called 'The Gayest of the Gay.'

My great uncle wrote a story that was turned into a very famous film

My Great Grandmother was a suffragette and was friends with Annie Kenney who was a leading figure in the Women's Social and Political Unionshe, also met Christabel Pankhurst.
Her husband and one son was killed in WW1, so she brought up her 4 daughters, (the eldest of which is my Grandmother), single handed.
She opened her own business and was quite a figure in the local community.
From her photos, she looks a formidable woman, she was tall as were all her daughter, all over 5ft 7 inches which was unusual in those days.
I would love to have met her.
I have one relative remaining who knew her, the daughter of her youngest daughter. She is a formidable, no nonsense ex headteacher and scares me a little bit
I'm going to make a point of giving her a call and going over to see her for the day.

@Barnet might I be able to request your grandfather's book from the library? if so could you message me
the detatils please. My Saltmarshes were way back in the 17th century but the name was kept on for a daughter, which is a bit unusual as usually surnames were given as first names to sons, but before I knew it was a family name I just thought it was a lovely name. I've not gone further back on that line, it's on my to do one day list. My grandmother's family came from the area round Snaith and Swinfleet with wives and family connections from many villages round about. Maybe I should investigate the Saltmarshes sooner rather than later. Going back to Gentleman Jack, I no doubt have connections albeit way back or rather we both have connections way back, I think most Priestleys go back to Priestley Green not far away, it is a very local name, albeit a famous one.

Gt grandfather was doctor to the king of Burma. Another was a master mariner who disappeared in storms at sea.
The sailor's widow, gt g mother claimed she was related to William Blake, artist, poet and mystic.
I have tried to find a connection but since he had no descendants, I have not succeeded.
I wish I was a celebrity so the team on who do you think you are could find that elusive link.

What an interesting thread!

I was apparently named after a famous German opera singer called Madame Patti and was also told that we were related to Captain Morgan the famous pirate

I once asked my Dad if we had any famous ancestors and he said yes, a few years ago one was hung drawn and quartered.
So Iaked my oldest maternal aunt and she said that on their side a ?GGGrandfather worked for the Manchester Guardian as a correspondent in Russia.
I thought that was interesting because I've always had a special interest in Russia.

My grandad’s family came from Poland, but not sure when. He was a boot and shoemaker, and allegedly made ballet shoes for Anna Pavlova. My grandmother was an invalid for many years and every time she was well enough to be up and about, he would make her a pair of shoes, for her tiny feet, size 3. She died when my mum was 8, but grandad lived with us for a few years while I was growing up.

one of my ancestors was William Killick who infamously tried to kill Dylan Thomas with a rifle. This was made into a film starring Keira Knightly called 'Edge of Love'.

No one famous but did find out that several of my ancestors were publicans the most notable owning the Captain Digby at Broadstairs for over 60 years in the 1800s, which is still going today. He, along with my GGG grandmother, were charged with smuggling. He served 6 months in prison she was excused but fined by a very lenient judge - plus she had 4 children to look after. That was a surprise I can tell you, especially because it was recorded in the local press!

And my mum had no idea that her grandparents (and her own mum) had owned and lived in one of the local pubs where we used to live in Gravesend!

Also one of my great grandfathers (German by descent) was a musical director for the Rajah of Puddakottai. He was also an artist and ran a studio, which my uncle (now 98 years old) still remembers. Its believed GG also has a painting in the Vatican. Unfortunately I've never been able to get that bit verified.

Its fascinating finding out about your roots. Even after 20+ years of research there's always new information to be found.

What fab and interesting ancestors you have, do keep them coming.

1690's.Owned a Brewery and Hostelry. One brance of the family were listed as Disenters - we haven't changed much!

My grandad was born Gervase Valentine Lincoln,he was baptised and brought up to Nottingham and was adopted and called Henry Moseley.He drove one of the first buses in Lincolnshire,the Enterprise and Silver Dawn Company. His only child,my mother,became the first, long distance, lady lorry driver in Britain.
My father was a WW2 Battle of Britain Spitfire pilot.He was eventually shot down and was sent to Stalag Luft 3.He survived the war.

According to ancestry website my nearly 90 year old Mother’s ancestor is Lady Godiva! She was very amused when I told her yesterday

My posh ancestors seem to have been given a chunk of N Lancashire by William the conqueror and one of their descendants was a cavalier officer who had to escape to the continent. All downhill after that as I’m mostly descended from yeoman farmers, landlords and glass blowers.

My great uncle was skipper of a Victorian Clyde paddle boat.

Not strictly an ancestor but my mother's great friend emigrated to America . She and her husband celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in the states and they sent me a photocopy of the telegram they got signed by Nancy and Ronald Regan . Having recently rediscovered this I researched thier daughter who was a realter selling houses in the states and she did lots of work for Liberace and got many nice gifts from him. I mentioned this to my DD and she remembered the lady's business card which her DGM had and it featured Liberace's piano .

Family history points to an ancestor who was piked on Dublin bridge.

One of my ggggggg-grandfathers was a French Count who came to England in 1066 as a supporter/soldier for William the Conqueror.

He survived the Battle of Hastings and the family went on to become government officials, both in England and Ireland, but sadly had no noticeable wealth or standing by the 19th century. Although one ancestor became a famous author.

I found all this out just before my lovely Aunt, also his ancestor died. She said, jokingly, ‘I always knew I was a Lady.’

My ggg grandfather received part of a stolen sheep.
Unfortunately, he did not get transported to Australia, he only got six months in prison.

I share an ancestor with a famous British film star who is still working.

I share an ancestor with a subject off Who Do You Think You Are. He came from Poland.

What a fascinating thread! Thank you, one and all. (Fraid I've got nothing to contribute...)

An ancestor of mine was a signatory on Charles the first death warrant!

I can trace family connections back to Elizabeth Fry. Unfortunately I don't have similar ideas about dealing with prisoners, especially murderers and those offending against children.