Category Archives: Genealogies of the famous

Are You Related to William Wilberforce?

Posted on July 1, 2020 by Ros

With racism being very much in the news recently, I decided to take a look at the man who was the driving force behind the end of the slavery trade in Britain in the early 19th century.  I found a … Continue reading →

Posted in Genealogies of the famous | 18 Comments

Are you in the Family of Lancelot “Capability” Brown?

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Ros

This year is the 300th anniversary of the birth of Lancelot Brown, who went on to create some of the greatest landscaped gardens of England. Continue reading →

Posted in Genealogies of the famous | 41 Comments

Are You in Lord Nelson’s Family Tree?

Posted on May 26, 2015 by Ros

I have attempted to find as many descendants as possible of Nelson, his parents and grandparents. Continue reading →

Posted in Genealogies of the famous | 246 Comments

Who was Richard III?

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Ros

Historians and genealogists have been much excited in the last couple of weeks by the confirmation that the skeleton found underneath a car park in Leicester is that of King Richard III. But who was Richard III, why was he under a car park and what can this find tell us about this much maligned king? Continue reading →

Posted in Genealogies of the famous, History | Leave a comment

Could you be a part of the Bronte Family History?

Posted on November 28, 2012 by Ros

Could you be part of the Bronte Family History?  The surnames BRONTE or BRUNTY, MCCLORY, BRANWELL, and CARNE, may all have links to the Bronte family of Yorkshire, particularly if you can trace ancestry back to Ireland or Cornwall. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Genealogies of the famous | 16 Comments

Are You in the Florence Nightingale Family Tree?

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Ros

The heroine of the Crimean War, Florence Nightingale never married, and had no children. However, the Nightingale family has links with several illustrious families which are fairly well documented, so if you have any of the following surnames, it should be fairly easy to find out whether you are connected with The Lady with the Lamp. Continue reading →

Posted in Genealogies of the famous | Tagged | 183 Comments

Isambard Kingdom Brunel: Family History

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Ros

Next in my series of “Genealogies of the Famous” is Isambard Kingdom Brunel.  In 2002 a British poll put him as the 2nd greatest Briton (the first was Winston Churchill).  It is not that surprising, as his achievements as a … Continue reading →

Posted in Genealogies of the famous | 51 Comments

Charles Dickens’ Genealogy: Are You Connected?

Posted on October 25, 2011 by Ros

Much of Charles Dickens’ genealogy is fairly well documented, but I’ve also investigated a few of the ‘side lines’ in case you find a link to your own tree. Continue reading →

Posted in Genealogies of the famous | Tagged , | 183 Comments

Do You Have Shakespeare Genealogy?

Posted on September 12, 2011 by Ros

It is a sad fact that there are no direct living descendants of the great bard, William Shakespeare.  The direct line ended with his grandchildren, but of course there is always the possibility that anyone with the surname SHAKESPEARE (with … Continue reading →

Posted in Genealogies of the famous, History, Surnames | Tagged , , | 236 Comments