As my Shakespeare genealogy post was so popular, I thought I’d do a similar thing with a few more famous people – and as Charles Dickens is my favourite author it wasn’t difficult to choose one! 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.
(By the way – if you want to learn how to trace your ancestors, have a look at my Step-by-Step Beginner’s Course)
I am not going to go too much into the direct descendants of Dickens. It’s likely that if you are a direct descendant then you are going to know about it already, and many of his descendants are well known, particularly within the theatrical and publishing professions. A full tree of his descendants can be seen at www.charlesdickenspage/dickens_family_tree.pdf
His direct descendants include:
- Monica Dickens (writer 1915-1992). Author of One Pair of Feet and many other great novels.
- Brian Forster (actor b.1960 Los Angeles, USA). He was in The Partridge Family in the 1970s.
- Gerald Charles Dickens (actor b. 1963) Performs one man shows based on the novels of Charles Dickens.
- Lucinda Anne Dickens Hawksley (biographer, author & lecturer b. 1970)
- Harry Lloyd (actor b.1983 in London) Played Will Scarlett in the BBC production of Robin Hood.
Charles Dickens (1812-1870) had ten children and they are:
- Charles Culliford Boz (1837-1896). Editor & writer. Married Elisabeth Matilda Moule EVANS. They had 8 children.
- Mary Angela (1838-1896)
- Catherine Elizabeth Macready (1839-1929)
- Walter Savage Landor (1841-1863) Officer in the Indian Army. Died in Calcultta, India.
- FrancisJeffrey (1844-1886) Member of the Canadian Mounted Police. Fought in the Battle of Fort Pitt 1885. Died during a lecture tour in Illinois, USA.
- Alfred D’Orsay Tennyson (1845-1912). Emigrated to Australia & made lecture tours on his father’s life. Married Augusta Jessie DEVLIN in Victoria Australia & they had 2 daughters. Later married Emily RILEY. Died in New York during a lecture tour.
- Sidney Smith Haldiman (1847-1872) Royal Naval Officer. Died at sea & buried in the Indian Ocean.
- Henry Fielding (1849-1933) Kings Counsel & Barrister. Marred Marie ROCHE & they had 5 children.
- Dora Annie (1850-1851) Died in infancy.
- Edward Bulwer Lytton (1852-1902) Australian politician. Married Constance DESAILLY. Died in Moree, New South Wales, Australia.
There is some scope for Australian and American family historians here!
Charles Dickens’ ancestors can only be taken back with any confidence to his grandfather, William Dickens (1719-1785) who married an Elizabeth BALL (1745-1824). Given that their son, John was born in Marylebone, London in 1785, the BALL family may be of London. There is an Elizabeth BALL baptized in Finsbury on 16th October, the daughter of Francis and Elizabeth, but there could be hundreds with this name born in that year, so finding a definite link to this line would be very difficult.
Much more is known about Charles’s father, John Dickens (1785-1851). He married Elizabeth Culliford BARROW on 30th June 1809 in London. Elizabeth was the daughter of Charles BARROW (1759-1826) and Mary CULLIFORD (1771-1851). Charles, like John Dickens, worked at the Navy Pay Office, and was convicted of embezzling. He married Mary Culliford on 27th January 1788 in Lambeth, Surrey.
According to a published tree on Ancestry, Charles Barrow was born in Bristol, the son of William Barrow and Anne CASTEELS. Obviously, this needs confirming, but it may be of interest if you have Bristol or Somerset Barrows or Casteels in your family, and worth looking into.
According to the same tree, Mary Culliford was the daughter of a Thomas Culliford and Mary GOLDSWORTH, who married in Westminster. Again, this may be worth checking if you have these names in your family. In fact, Mary’s baptism can be found on Ancestry and took place in Camden, Middlesex.
Elizabeth Barrow had several siblings, who may have living descendants, so these would be worth looking into.
John and Elizabeth DICKENS had seven other children apart from Charles. I do know that there are living descendants, as one of my closest friends is one!
- Frances Elizabeth (1810-1848). Did not marry.
- Alfred Allen (1814-1814) Died in infancy.
- Letitia Mary (1816-1874) Did not marry (as far as I know).
- Harriet Ellen (1819-1822) Died in childhood.
- Frederick William (1820-1868). Married Anna WELLER, but they separated in 1858. Died an alcoholic.
- Alfred Lamerte (1822-1860) Railway Engineer. Married Helen DOBSON in 1836 & they had 5 children:
- Alfred E Dickens
- Edmund (or Edward) Henry Dickens
- Florence Helen Dickens
- Katherine L. Dickens
- Augusta Maud Dickens
- Augustus (1827-1866) Married Harriet LOVELL but he left her and emigrated to Chicago, USA, where he had 3 children by Bertha PHILLIPS, the daughter of an English solicitor. The children (all born in the US) are:
- Bertram Dickens
- Adrian Dickens
- Amy Bertha Dickens
For a connection to Charles by marriage, we can look at Dickens’ wife’s family. If you have Scottish HOGARTHs in your family tree you might be interested in this.
Charles Dickens’ wife was Catherine Thompson HOGARTH. She was born in Edinburgh, the daughter of George Hogarth (1780-1870) a newspaper editor and music critic. He was born in the Scottish borders and was married to Georgina THOMPSON in 1814 in Edinburgh. Catherine was their first child, and the other children were:
- Robert Hogarth (1816-?)
- Mary Hogarth (1819-1837). She lived with Charles and Catherine in the early years of their marriage until her early death.
- George Thomson Hogarth (1821-?)
- William Thomson Hogarth (1823-?)
- Georgina Hogarth (1827-1917) Became Charles Dickens’ housekeeper. Later published the letters of Charles Dickens.
George HOGARTH senior was the son of Robert HOGARTH and Mary SCOTT, and according to my own searches he had several siblings all born in Channelkirk: Robert (1785), John (1786), Mellicent (1788), Christian (1790), Mary (1791), Jane (1792) and Mary (1794). These details need confirming.
It is not surprising that many of Charles Dickens’ descendants are theatrical. He was a great lover of the theatre and produced and performed in several plays himself. He was a great character – but hampered all his life by the financial problems of his father and several of his siblings. His marriage was not a happy one, and he had at least one mistress – the actress Ellen Ternan. He seems to have had good relationships with his daughters, two of whom can be seen in this picture.
He is first on my fantasy dinner party list. I think he probably was great fun to have at parties – especially in his younger days. My own historical fiction writing is often influenced by his style and he tends to pop up now and then as a kind of guest character! Next year will be the 200th anniversary of his birth – cause for much celebration!
More information on Charles Dickens’ genealogy can be seen at MyHeritage.com. I would like to hear from anyone who has Charles Dickens in their family tree, or would like any help in finding a connection.
Recommended Books:
The Complete Works of Charles Dickens (Annotated)
Hi Kim. I have sent you an email.
Ros
Hi,
I was speaking with my mother last night regarding some information for my little boys school project and my nan was Frank Huline Dickens cousin (cartoonist) and was wondering how she was related to Charles Dickens
Many thanks
Jamie
Hi Jamie
I remember Frank Dickens’ ‘Bristow’ cartoon in the Evening Standard very well – I always used to enjoy them! I was not aware that he had any connection with Charles Dickens, however, but it would be interesting to find out. If you would like me to have a look at any connection, then please email me at info@tracingancestors-uk.com.
Many thanks
Ros
Did John Dickens (Charles’ father) have any siblings? I cannot find any information about it.
Hi Cherene
I don’t think it’s known whether John had any siblings. It’s generally thought that his father William married his mother late in life, and died the year he was born, so possibly not. However, it could be that William had an earlier marriage and there may have been half siblings – but nothing much is known about William. If I find out anything I will let you know.
Ros
Is there any more information about the family of Charles Barrow? Thanks.
Hi Marilyn
I don’t have any further information to hand. This would take further research – please let me know if I can help you – info@tracingancestors-uk.com.
Many thanks
Ros
Hello, I’m a relative, but not a direct descendent of Charles Dickens, but am a descendent of either his father or grandfather (sorry but doing this in early hours and need to consult my records for the exact details).
I am more intrigued with a comment you have from Roberta Sharples regarding Frederick Warner as Frederick and his descendants have left me stumped for years trying to trace (Frederick is my Grandad’s brother & I have more details and photos I could send Roberta), weirdly the Dickens are from my dad’s side and the Warners from my mum’s & both my grandads met in WW1 became + remained friends (despite one living in Midlands & one in Middlesex/Surrey), each had a child who married + had me
Hi Alison – thanks for this. Amazing that both parents had that connection! If Roberta doesn’t see this post you could try emailing her – the address is under her name. Let us know how you get on.
Cheers
Ros
Hi rosbot, Apparently it isn’t amazing as I first thought, but it is a complete co-incidence that I found Roberta through your site. I ‘googled’ ‘ Joseph Warner married Louisa Tuley ‘ and this site came up in a hit with Charles Dickens mentioned. After speaking to my Dad today regarding what I ‘discovered’ he informed me that Roberta Sharples is in fact known to my dad, as she is a cousin of one of my cousins (we are related through his mum and Roberta through his father), and it was my cousin after speaking to my dad mentioned that his cousin (Roberta) may be able to help our search of my mum’s ‘missing’ relatives in Canada. Apparently Roberta has even visited my Mum and Dad’s house (which is almost next door) with our ‘shared cousin’ Tim. – What a small world isn’t it.
I have found some other distant relatives via your website though on this article as noticed there are descendents of the Dickens family that have commented, so have ‘gained’ some relatives via your site, so thank you. In all the excitement of thinking that I had found a ancestrial link between my family I had forgotten to ask my Dad about the Charles Dickens connection with us, so will have to get back to you with that.
I have also found this site and mentions another Dickens family member who has his own website, and thought you’d be interested.
http://www.geralddickens.com/biography.htm
Thanks Alison – wow, this post is turning into quite a little community! So glad it has been of use to you.
Ros
I’ve just posted this page onto my facebook wall too, so you may have a few of my cousins and yet more of Charles Dickens relations commenting yet.
Thanks very much Alison 🙂
RE:: My family links are to Charles and Sarah Dickens from Spitalfields UK.
Down the line to William Low and Mary Prior Dickens nee Cook.
Weinburg, Burling,
William Stratford and Elzabeth Dickens nee Burling.
Hodder/ Waterson/ Francis
Also interested in Wiliam Low. my mum – Diane Francis is 85 and highly involved in DRAMA!!! love to hear more
Krishna (MRS)
Thanks Krishna. Can I help in any way? Email me if you need any professional help – info@tracingancestors-uk.com.
Cheers
Ros
I am interested to know if I have any genealogical link to Charles Dickens. My Mum was a Dickens from Rushden ,Northamptonshire .We were told that we were distant cousins by one family member many years ago ,but never looked it up.
Grateful if you can help.My great grandparents were Mr and Mrs Harry Dickens of Rushden.
I am having some difficulty adding Writer Charles Dickens to my family tree. Thomas Dickens (b.1558) and his wife Alice Dickens (married 1585 Chesham, England) are my 13th great grandparents. I would like to find the linage that produced this great writer.
1. Thomas Dickens
2. Thomas Dickens
3. Nathaniel Dickens
4. Thomas Dickens
5. Sarah B. Dickens (John Ball)
6. Edward Ball
7. Elizabeth Ball (John Hall)
8. Thomas Hall Sr. (My 7th great grandfather)
I think Charles Dickens came from one of the above lines, where, I don’t really know.
Thanks,
Kay
8.
Hi Kay
Thanks for your post.
I’m afraid that finding a link to Charles Dickens from lines above him may be extremely difficult and not easy to prove. The problem lies in the difficulties around the origins of his grandfather – we just do not know where he was born. He worked in Derbyshire for a while, but whether he was born there or not is an other matter – though I have found a large cluster of the surname in that county. Proving the necessary link, therefore, between your family and William Dickens is probably only ever going to be speculation, and will need a lot of painstaking research. You will need to research the siblings of each generation – look for wills in particular, as they may mention other siblings, cousins, nieces and nephews that can suggest a family link.
If you would like any help with this please let me know – though I cannot guarantee any definitive results. My charges are given on my home page (hourly rates are going up in September – so get in before then if you can!)
Best wishes and good luck!
Ros
Hi Debbie
Charles Dickens certainly used to visit Northamptonshire as he put on plays at Rockingham Castle – though whether he had family there is not known. One has to wonder, though, why would he be putting on plays there rather than anywhere else, so I have thought it may be that he did have family in the area.
It would be interesting to look into, though there is no guarantee that searches would prove anything. Do you know where Harry was born?
I have sent you an email as well.
Ros
Alfred Lamert Dickens, born 1822, was Married on the 16 May 1846 and not in 1836 (he would have been 14) as you say. Keep up the good work
Thank you Wyndham. Glad to see someone spotted the deliberate mistake…. ahem 😉
I am the direct decedent of Augustus, Charles’ brother. He was my great-great grandfather….if anyone cares or has questions as to that lineage.
Hi Daniell – thanks so much for posting!
Hi, my great nan had a signed photo of Charles Dickens and was supposed to be a cousin of his. Her name was Annie Sinfield née Cockley. Haven’t been able to find out any more.
Hi Penny
Thanks for your post. It can be quite tricky to trace cousins – particularly if she was something like a 2nd cousin once removed, for example. It means looking at every ancestor’s sibling and tracing downwards.
Let me know if you would like some help.
Ros
Tracing back and trying to find out how Samuel Browne Dickens Sr, born August 15, 1891 and died December 10, 1951 is related to the Dickens family tree, eg Charles Dickens
Email me if you need any professional help Stephanie. info@tracingancestors-uk.com
Hello, came across this site and it got me curious…..was wondering if u an help me look into this?
Hi Sheri
I am sending you an email.
Ros
Hi,
I think my Dicken’s line may be too complicated but my great grandmother was Ann (Annie) Dickens bn 1866 in Newton Longville, Bucks. Her father being Joseph Dickens (1833 – 1891), grandfather Robert 1813 – 1881. Family theory has it they we are cousins to Charles. I have tried several lost leads…so just wondered if anyone had any connections. Thanks! Beverley
Thank you for posting this! I haven’t seen it brofee and since I had posted a birthday posting for Dickens, I was drawn to yours. It is so good that I just had to share it on Twitter and Facebook, using your icons at the end of your post, thus giving you credit for posting.
I know this is an old post, but I know for a fact that I am a descendant of Charles Dickens, we still have the Dickens surname in our family!
I am from Northampton and there have been 3-4 generations of Dickens living here that I’m aware of. Feel free to email me if you’d like to add more to your research.
Aloha from Kaua’i! We are educators from Detroit who moved to Kaua’i eight years ago. Our first neighbor’s was the late Melvin Dickens. His father, Alfred Dickens, is also buried in Kaua’i. He was in the U.S. Navy. The late Melvin suffered a closed head injury when he was young before Hawaii was a U.S. State, so he never learned to read. Literature meant nothing to him, consequently, he never passed on much family history on to his grandchildren. Melvin did tell me the Dickens name came from England. They got to Hawaii before the U.S. did. The young blonde third grade Hawaiian, Maile Dickens Mendonka, is showing some writing aptitude. She got the highest scores on the writing test! I am on FB, and we are interested in connecting these children with their literary legacy. Best wishes from Hawaii. Aloha!
I’ve seen in an old newspaper article that my Great grandfather Edmund Stratford whose mother was Mary Dickens , was a relation to Charles Dickens the novelist , I think her parents were John and Charlotte Dickens. Im wondering if you’ve come across those names to know what the link would be or maybe the newspaper article didn’t have its facts straight ?
Hi Marie
No, I haven’t come across those names, but I would be interested to know whereabouts they lived and their dates? I see there was a Mary Dickens born in Northamptonshire with those parents names – perhaps a bit too early for your Mary, though – 1795. Dickens did have some links with Northamptonshire, though I’ve never been able to find out whether he had family there.
Of course, not everything written in print is solid fact – but it is always worth following up to see if there’s any truth in it. It would take some research though. Let me know if you want any professional help.
Ros
I know I’m delayed with this, but just noticed Kay’s comments regarding the Northamptonshire link. Charles Dicken’s cousin (George Adams Dickens) lived in Braunston in Northamptonshire and owned the Admiral Nelson pub there too. This is a bit of information on Charles Dickens and Northamptonshire that I found. http://nurser.co.uk/the-nurser-family/the-dickens—nurser-connec.html
Hi Alison – That’s really interesting – thank you for this. I always thought that Dickens had family in Northamptonshire, as he stayed there quite often and put on plays at Rockingham Castle. I also used to live very close to Braunston, and I don’t think I’ve come across this information before.
Ros
I just saw a message from an Anne McVicar from New Zealand who I would like to get in touch with if anyone can help please, I also live in NZ. I’m a direct descendant of Charles Dickens through my grandfather Harold Wilson, I believe his father or grandfather changed his name in Australia then moved here. Out of respect to family who I am still getting to know I won’t say too much on here but would appreciate any help. I’m also intending to write an email to Charle’s great-great-great grand-daughter soon. I’d love to learn more.
My grandfather was named Angus dickens jones born 1890 d 1952.
My grandmother Thelma Constance bates b 1900
He was one of five brothers
I have the all his second edition called gnarlesuiehens edition ( very hard to understand the writing..his first edition was lost in a fire of one of his brothers.we were always told he was a relation.an you help me
Hi Meagan
Do you know where your grandfather was born?
Ros
Yes Angus dickens jones was born wales
He was one of 5 brothers Habby,Gordon,Jim,Oscar and Agnus,
They all emigrated to New Zealand
His father was a slate merchant
Hi Meagan. I don’t know of any of Dickens’ family in Wales – so in order to find any link you would have to trace your family back from Angus. You could start by ordering his birth certificate. It is indexed on Ancestry for the registration district of Carmarthen, registration quarter Jan-March. Volume 11a Page 1010. With this information you could order it from the General Register Office. It would give you both parents’ names, and the mother’s maiden name. It may be that the surnames comes via the mother, so this would certainly be the next step if you want to investigate this further.
Best wishes
Ros
My great great grandmother was Bettie Ann Dickens (b 1821), a niece of Charles Dickens. She married John Curtis Nunnally in 1840. I’d like to show the line between Bettie Ann and Charles Dickens in my family tree.
Hi Alliene
Who were Bettie’s parents?
Ros
Am I related to Eilzabeth Barrow Dickens?
Hi Hannah. The only way of answering that question is by meticulous research starting with you and tracing back each generation using original sources – birth, marriage & death certificates, census records etc.
Let me know if you want any professional help.
Ros
Although I am not in the direct line of Charles Dickens, my late grandfather Robert Lang (1901-69) was told as a child that he shared kinship to Charles Dickens by his grandmother Louisa Dickens, who married Robert Lang.. Recently, I met with Gerald Charles Dickens (born 1963), and we determined we must be distant cousins. My hunch is that William Dickens (1783-1826) may be the connection to my side of the family from Charles Dickens’ family tree. Perhaps William Dickens was the grandfather of Louisa Dickens Lang.
Hi Jay
Thanks for this. The only way of establishing this is to trace back to Louisa, and then back again, to try and find the common ancestor. If you need any professional help, please let me know – or if anyone on this thread has any informatino that could help, please reply.
Ros
I know some yes,
Judy Dickens died in 2000 she was in Staines Middlesex, in England, she moved to Montréal, Canada and had some of Charles Dickens things, I’ve seen them. Her father was Charles William Henry Dickens married Ernest Willaim Pither Publisher daughter Kathleen May Pither now Dickens and his father was Harry Dickens