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 or without the first or last ‘E’) could have links higher up the tree. Unfortunately, while there are some possible trees that have been researched going back to the 13th century, there is no definitive Shakespeare genealogy before Will’s grandfather, so proving a connection with 100% conviction would be probably impossible.
However, there are other names on the Shakespeare family tree, the descendants of whom could still exist today. While some of these would have to be linked higher up the tree (therefore not having a blood link to Shakespeare), these families would still be of great interest as many of them have been well documented.
(By the way, if you’d like to learn how to trace your ancestors, have a look at my Step-by-step beginner’s course at Udemy here).
The most likely surname to have blood ties with William Shakespeare is the name HART. William’s sister Joan (and the only sibling to outlive him) married a William HART, and two of their sons survived into adulthood, one of them, William becoming an actor like his uncle, and the other, Thomas, married and had three children whose descendants live today. William never married, but is believed to have had an illegitimate son, Charles, a Restoration actor, who may also have living descendants.
Shakespeare’s other siblings either died in childhood, or never had any children.
Shakespeare’s mother, Mary ARDEN, came from an aristocratic, land-owning family who could trace their roots back to England before the Conquest, but it would be difficult to take any ARDEN name back to Mary’s immediate family as all of her siblings were sisters. Five of them married (two of them twice), and the names they married into were ETKYNS, SCARLET, STRINGER, HEWINS, LAMBERT, CORNWELL and WEBBE. I know that the LAMBERTs and WEBBEs had at least one child – but whether or not any of these lines have descendants living today I do not know.
As for tracing any families that may be connected to Shakespeare through marriage (but not through blood), the following information may be of interest:
Not much is known about the family of Shakespeare’s wife, Ann HATHAWAY, other than that her father, Richard, was a yeoman farmer. We know that the name still exists today (at least in one famous actress), but whether this line can be traced back to the Hathaways of Warwickshire is uncertain without there being much information about this family.
William’s first daughter Susanna married Dr. John HALL, a respected physician, in 1607 and their only daughter Elizabeth married Thomas NASH, and when he died she married John BERNARD and living in Abington Hall in Northamptonshire. Elizabeth did not have any children, and so the direct line ends here, but the NASH and BERNARD families were wealthy and well known families with good documentation, so finding connections with these families further up the line could be possible. I do not know whether Dr. John HALL’s ancestry is known, but he is mentioned in some academic medical texts where there may be more details about his family.
Shakespeare’s only son, Hamnet, died at the age of 11 in a small outbreak of bubonic plague.
Shakespeare’s third child, Judith, married Thomas QUINEY, a local winemerchant who was the son of a good friend of Shakespeare’s. Thomas had ten siblings, some of whom married and had children, so it is possible that there are living descendants who could potentially trace their line back to this family (in fact, one of my clients has an ancestor named QUINEY, and it would be very exciting to take this line back further).
Thomas and Judith had three children, the first of whom, named Shakespeare after his famous grandfather, died at the age of six months. The other two died at the ages of 19 and 21 without marrying or having any issue.
The surname SHAKESPEARE still exists, although it is fairly rare. In fact, I actually knew a Mr. Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-Avon back in the 1970s! He was the owner of Ferry House and let out rooms to RSC actors, including my father, mother and me, and where I spent a very pleasant summer at the age of 13. He was very old even then, and died soon afterwards I believe, but we often wondered whether he had any family links to the great man himself.
As I have said, Shakespeare genealogy links are tenuous and difficult to prove, but if any of the above names are in your ancestry and come from Warwickshire, it could be worth trying to find out whether you have either a blood or marriage link to our greatest playwright. I would be delighted to help too – even though I would be green with envy!
Recommended Books:
Shakespeare’s Country Familes by John Taplin
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Wordsworth Special Editions)
one of my ancestors married a rachel shakespeare, going back in her line to 15oo’s there was a richard shakespeare that was the parent of a parent of william shakespeare the bard
Wow – I am envious! Shakespeare’s grandfather was indeed Richard Shakespeare. You’ve done really well to get back this far anyway – I assume you have checked all original sources?
I have a great grandfather Alfred Shakespeare b.1867 whose father was George I think b.1835. I have traced the family back to Thomas b 1717 married Elisabeth Smith but am stuck to go further. I wonder if you have any information for me. I think Thomas’s father was William b 1696 d.1728. I would love to learn more of my descendents. Thank you Kathy.
Hi Kathy
What a great name to have in your ancestry! I will reply to you more fully by email.
Ros
Hi Ros, My great great grandmother was Rosaline Louisa Shakespear. I have managed to trace her family back to a Mathew Shakespear who married an Isabell Peelle. He was born in 1543. I’m not able to go further back. If you have any information for me I would really appreciate it!
Hi Tanzy
Do you know where they were living? It is usually pretty impossible for most families to take a line further back than this date unless they were very wealthy or of royal lineage. You have done very well to get back this far.
I’m afraid I can’t help with enquiries like this without carrying out research, which I need to charge for. My service charges are on my home page, or you can email me at info@tracingancestors-uk.com.
Best wishes
Ros
There may be some clues here for you guys:
https://sites.google.com/site/fivegateways/alphabetical-index-s/shakspeare
KR
/ Matt
Thanks Matt – that’s great information.
Ros
Have been reading with interest other peoples connection to Shakespeare family links. My great grandma was Emma Shakespeare born 1850 coventry, descended from Thomas Shakespeare of Keresley.Again as Kathy has found there is difficulty establishing the line from there. I feel that a poss could be Thomas Shakespeare 1677 Arley married Ann Robinson St Michaels Coventry 1712
I would really appreciate any help or info to get back a little further
Hi Margaret
Thanks for your information – I have sent you an email.
Ros
Hello,
I decend from Christopher Hart born1543. Christopher’s was the grandfather of William hart b June 21 1590!in kiddington,England. In my research it shows William marrying a Joan Shakespeare sister of William Shakespeare. If you have any information I would truly appreciate your input.
Please forgive me. The correct information for William Hart is he was born 1569 and was son of Christopher Hart. Sorry for the wrong info.I was looking at the wrong William, as there are many in my line.
That’s very interesting – thanks for this.
I do not have any further information other than what is here – but would be happy to carry out any research on the Hart family if you wished.
You might also want to get in touch with the person who posted this: http://genforum.genealogy.com/shakespeare/messages/193.html
I will send you an email.
Cheers
Ros
Dear Ros,
I have traced William hart son of Christopher Hart as being married to Joan Shakespeare. Christopher was my 9th greatgrandfather. William being my great uncle does that make me related by marriage to William Shakespeare? Thank you for your input. I will be in England in May , plan to have you do some research before I arrive.
Debra
Hi Debra
Yes – if you have absolutely traced this correctly using original sources at all times, then it makes you related by marriage!
I have access to local archives, so if you need any help with your research before you come to England, then please let me know. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust archive holds documents on local families as well as Shakespearean and theatre documents: http://www.shakespeare.org.uk/explore-shakespeare/collections/library-and-archive.html
There is also the Warwickshire Record Office which holds the main Warwickshire collection of documents, including wills and land documents.
Best wishes
Ros
Hello Ros,
I went to a family reunion and saw a chart that traced my family back to Joan Shakespeare Hart. My great grandfather’s name was Jesse Petre and his grandmother was Martha Linville. Martha is traced back to Richard Linville and Mary Hart. It looks like Mary Hart is a descendant of William Henry Hart. I am not sure how all of this works. The funny thing is my grandmother on my maternal side if from Malvern, England which is very close to Stratford Upon Avon. I will be in England in September. I appreciate any feedback about this family line. Thank you, Michelle
Hi Michelle
Thanks for this – and for your email. I have now replied. Let me know if you need any help.
Ros
My mom as well along with her 5 sisters have the last oname Shakespeare, there were no boys to carry the name on but my mom still uses it. Their father sadly had his life taken from him in long beach, ca.
Hello Ros,
My great great grandmother was Sarah Shakespeare and her married name was Steele My great grandmother married Richard Harvey.I was told that we have connections to William Shakespeare,
Hi Patricia
It’s a great name to have in your tree – but you would need to do a lot of research to find out if there is a connection. Let me know if you would like any help!
Best wishes
Ros
Thank you Ros for your email and information. I dont know if i am on the wrong track but I have gone back to Adam of Oldeditch 1340-1389, son Adam Shakespeare 1365-1414, married Alice b 1380, son John b1410 maried Alice, sons Richard, Thomas and Ralph. Richard b. 1430 d.1496married Margery b 1440. Sons Thomas 1455, Jhn and William. Thomas married Christina b1446-1509 son John b1480-1525 married eleanor b1485-1534 had son Richard b1500-1561 who married Abigail Webb b1515-1595 had Henry(Harry) Shakespeare b1529, John b1520 who married Mary Arden and thus had William . I have also traced an American connection in Allegheny Pennsylvania which I am trying to confirm and maybe travel over there to find out more. I hope that is the right lineage and would appreciate your comments on this. Thank you again for your help. Regards Kathy.
Hi Kathy
It would take a long time for me to check all this and see if it’s correct – but I would say that the only way you can be sure you have this absolutely right is if you have used original sources at every point. To verify these families, I would suggest that you visit the Shakespeare Birthplace Centre in Stratford on Avon and get a reader’s ticket so you can access their archives.
If you need any help, just send me an email.
Best wishes
Ros
Hi Ros, I am a descendant of Joan Shakespeare through her son Thomas, from there it gets a bit sketchy because he had two sons Thomas and George. From there all I know was there was a child Mary Hart who married James Field and they had a child, Eliza Field who married Alfred Miles. I have the the family tree from there onwards. So I would like to find out who Mary Hart descended from, Thomas or George.
Thanking You
Moya James
Hi Ros, I just read above that you said Joan Shakespeares son Thomas had three children, Thomas George and ?. Anyway would still like to know who Mary Ann Hart descended from.
Thanks
Hi Moya
I don’t have any information to hand about this – and I think to answer this question would involve some thorough research – at Warwickshire Record Office and/or at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. It may be worth contacting the Birthplace Trust archives to see what information they have the Hart family.
I believe Thomas’s third child was actually named Shakespeare Hart – so it’s possible there are descendants from this line.
Best wishes
Ros
If you would like me to carry out any research for you at my usual fees, then please don’t hesitate to contact me at info@tracingancestors-uk.com.
Hi Ros,
Thanks anyway for your help, but I got it sorted. I went on Ancestory.com and the information was all there. Thomas, son of Joan Shakespeare actually had 5 children to two different wives, and George who carries on my line, Thomas’s son, had 9 children, Shakespeare was one of them, but one of his other son’s George carries on my line. As I said I had most of the information but there was a few sketchy years. So have all the proof now that we descend from Joan Shakespeare. I went a bit further on from William and Joan as well and we all descend from “Adam of Oldediche” 1355. So for anyone who would like to know, the HART name descendants, have a branch in Australia, New Zealand, America and Canada. So exiting to be related, and if it wasn’t for Dear Thomas, Joan’s son, none of my family would be here. He was the only one to carry on the line legitimately.
Thanking You
Hi Moya
That’s excellent – well done! You must be thrilled.
Just one word of warning – if you have found the information from a published tree on Ancestry – just make sure that they have published their sources and have done the research properly – there are a lot of unverified trees there!
However, it does sound as though you have found the link, which must be really exciting. Do you have any literary leanings in your family I wonder?
Cheers
Ros
I just traced my Webb ancestry back to the grandparent to William Shakespeare – still checking it but both Grandmothers we’re Webb’s since it was fine for first cousins to marry. Webb family by the Bard’s time had dropped the “E”. They are ancestors to all American Webb’s per
skinnerwebb.com
snip –
The Family of Sir John Alexander Webb
Sir John had four children: Henry, Abigail, Mary, and William. Not much is known about William, but the other three children are very significant. Henry is a direct ancestor to the American Webbs. Abigail and Mary have some very complicated marriages and relationships, all due to the decree from Henry VIII that first cousins could marry. Abigail marries into the Shakespeare family and an eventual product of that marriage is William Shakespeare. Mary married into the prominent Arden family. The Arden’s were wealthy landowners in Warwickshire. The interconnections between the Webb, Arden and Shakespeare families are too complicated for words, so the diagram below explains it all…
John Alexander Webb was born Jan 11, 1484 in Stratford, Warwickshire, England, and died 1516 in England. He married John Alexander Wevv.
Henry Alexander Webb (son of John Alexander Webb and John Alexander Wevv) was born May 11, 1510 in Stratford, Warwickshire, England2, and died 1544 in Stratford, Warwick, England He married (1) Grace Arden, daughter of Thomas Arden and Mrs Thomas Arden.
Alexander Webb (son of Henry Alexander Webb and Grace Arden) was born Dec 24, 1534 in Stratford, Warwickshire, England, and died 1573 in Stratford, Warwickshire, England. He married (1) Margaret Arden.
Alexander Webb (son of Alexander Webb and Margaret Arden) was born Aug 20, 1559 in Stratford, Warwickshire, England, and died 1629 in Boston, Suffolk, MA, USA. He married Mary Wilson.
William Webb (son of Alexander Webb and Mary Wilson) was born Jan 07, 1588 in Stratford, Warwickshire, England, and died Jul 1656 in Norfolk, VA, USA. He married (1) Agnes Tocker, daughter of Christopher Toker. He married (2) Jane Maye on Sep 13, 1607 in Saint Andrew, Plymouth, Devon, England.
Richard Webb (son of William Webb and Agnes Tocker) was born 1603 in Gloucestershire, England, and died 1625 in Richmond, Richmond, VA, USA. He married (1) Jane Of Gloucestershire.
Giles Webb (son of Richard Webb and Jane Of Gloucestershire) was born 1623 in Gloucestershire, New Kent, VA, USA, and died 1692 in Richmond, VA, USA. He married (1) Judith Bland.
John William Webb (son of Giles Webb and Judith Bland) was born 1644 in Richmond, Richmond, VA, USA/Richmond Co., VA, and died 1694 in Essex, Essex, VA, USA. He married (1) Mary Samford, daughter of James Samford and Mary Of England.
John Webb (son of John William Webb and Mary Samford) was born 1674 in Richmond, Richmond, VA, USA/Richmond Co., VA, and died 1721 in Northampton, VA, USA. He married (1) Elizabeth Webb. He married (2) Hannah Sims. He married (3) Hannah Ukn. He married (4) Mary. He married (5) Elizabeth. He married (6) Webb. He married (7) Hannah on 1695253. He married (8) Anne Smith on Jan 01, 1695 in Essex, VA, USA253. He married (9) Hannah Webb on 1699 in Northampton, VA, USA253, daughter of John William Webb. He married (10) Jane Martin on 1692 in VA, USA.
Merry Webb (son of John Webb and Elizabeth Webb) was born 1697 in Martinsville, Henry, VA, USA/Martinsville, VA, and died Feb 06, 1774 in Henry, VA, USA. He married (1) Elizabeth Mary Martin, daughter of Martin Martin and Sarah Hix.
John Webb (son of Merry Webb and Elizabeth Mary Martin) was born 1735 in Martinville, Henry, VA, USA/Henry Co., VA, and died Feb 08, 1785 in Wilkes, NC, USA. He married (1) Ustley. He married (3) Stacy Young. He married (4) Ursla.
Cuthbert Webb (son of John Webb and Ustley) was born 1760 in Wilkes, NC, USA, and died 1830 in Roane, TN, USA. He married (1) Elizabeth.
Mitchell Webb (son of Cuthbert Webb and Elizabeth) was born 1787 in Wilkes, NC, USA, and died Feb 1869 in Tunnel Hill, IL, USA. He married (1) Rhoda Elmore. He married (3) Caldwell.
Allen Webb (son of Mitchell Webb and Rhoda Elmore)221 was born 1815 in Morgan, TN, USA221, and died Feb 29, 1872 in Johnson, IL, USA221. He married Mary Coones.
William Riley Webb (Grandson of Mitchell Webb)
family info
Husband: William Riley WEBB Birthdate: 20 December 1848
Birthplace: Tunnel Hill, Johnson, Illinois Death date: 18 June 1905 Place of death: Father: Allen WEBB Mother: Mary KOONCE Marriage date: 18 August 1871 Marriage place: Tunnel Hill, Johnson, Illinois Wife: Nancy Jane CASEY Birthdate: 20 February 1854 Birthplace: Williamson Co., Illinois Death date: Place of death: Father: Levi B. CASEY Mother: Angeline NORMAN
Child No. 12: Charlie WEBB Sex: M Birthdate: 25 May 1900 Birthplace: Tunnel Hill, Johnson, Illinois Death date: September 1965 Place of death: Marriage date: Marriage place:
Charles Walker Webb (Grandpa)
Ruth Smithson (Grandma)
Children
William Webb (Father)
Doris (Aunt)
Betty (Aunt)
William Webb
Waunita Stephens
Children
Randall
Diana
Kathleen
John Webb (me)
DNA Kit # 107372 [37]
Mitchell Webb [b. 1787 Wilkes Co. NC – d. 1869 Johnson Co. IL]
Allen Webb [b. 1825 Morgan Co. TN – d.1870 Johnson Co. IL]
William Riley Webb [b. 1848 Johnson Co. IL – d. 1905 MO]
R C Webb [b. 1880 Johnson Co. IL – d. 1949 Scott Co. MO]
Can anyone tell me how I might confirm this line? and or go back further in the Webb line in England – thanks for letting me post – please delete entries as desired.
Hi John
Thanks for all this information – the info you have supplied could help someone else with their searches, so I have posted it in full.
Have you tried doing any searches at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust archives? They have a lot of documents on the prominent families in the area, and it might be worth checking to see if they have any Webb family papers. The website is at http://www.shakespeare.org.uk/explore-shakespeare/collections/catalogues.html and they do not just deal with Shakespeare, but families and documents in the Stratford on Avon area.
If you are in the US and can’t visit yourself, then I would be able to help you at my usual rates if you find there is anything there that would be of interest.
Ros
Thanks Rosbot, saw this on here and totally curious, I could be barking up the wrong tree but I followed “fathers” back and this is where it led me. Thanks for info as we’ll I will check the resources you mention, thanks for letting me post!
John Webb / Portland, Oregon
Hi John – no problem. By the way, if you are at all unsure about any of your research, it can be a good idea to get a professional genealogist to have a look at what you have done and verify that you are on the right path. However, this can be quite costly as they obviously need to follow up all the original resources, so it’s not as simple as it sounds. Just a thought – but it might be worth it if you are unsure.
Ros
I have traced my wife’s mothers line back to William’s grand mother her. Her name was Alice Webb D.O.B 8 Oct 1913 Bentley Hampshire descendant of Abigail Shakespeare nee Webb 6 Jun 1515. It is still a work in progress back to Sir Henry Thomas Webb 13 May 1350 of Stratford
Well done – that’s a brilliant achievement! Have you tried searching records at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust?
My family name is Hart, and we know our ancestors came to America from England. There is a family legend that Shakespeare is a great uncle, and I would love to know if this is true or not. We know that John Hart joined Penn’s foray to the New World in 1682, and was the son of Christian Hart and Mary Bleckley, but nothing beyond preceding that. I also understand that Christian and Mary lived and died in Oxfordshire, which is immediately adjacent to Warwickshire. Any chance you could do some digging and find out if my Harts are connected to Joan’s husband? I appreciate any assistance you can offer. Thanks!
Sorry. Addendum. The John Hart I mentioned as coming over to America with William Penn is a direct ancestor, so we know that that is our family line. I wasn’t clear about that in my last post. Thanks. 🙂
Hi Cara
Many thanks for your post.
I can carry out research for you at my usual rates. I will send you an email.
Ros
Apparently, I am a direct descendant of Joan, William Shakespeare’s sister. My grandmother was a Hart and we have traced the line back to a Thomas Hart.
Hi Gail
Thanks for this – that is amazing. I would be interested in seen this – is your tree published anywhere?
Cheers
Ros
According to my family tree…William Shakespeare is my is my 13th great grand uncle….his mother Mary Arden was my 14th great grandmother.I could use help with Webb,Arden and Shakespeare family genealogy if possible! They are really difficult family connections to navigate! Are there any books I could find to help with these issues?Any suggestions would help! Thanks,Bobby Woodman
Hi Bobby
Well done for having got that far!
I am not sure I know of any books that will help with further Shakespeare genealogy. Most good biographies (Peter Ackroyd, Peter Levi are ones I know of and would recommend) give some information about the Shakepeare and Arden families at least – but it may be information you already know – and much of the genealogical information given is in my post.
If you haven’t already done so, I would suggest you get in touch with the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust archives in Stratford-upon-Avon. They have a lot of old documents regarding Stratford families and Shakespeare himself. The website and catalogue is at http://calm.shakespeare.org.uk/dserve/.
If you need anyone to go to the archives and actually look at any relevant documents, I can do that for you at my usual charges. If you need my help, or any other local research at Warwickshire archives or around Stratford, let me know – email me at info@tracingancestors-uk.com.
Cheers
Ros
I am a direct descendant of Ann Bagley Brinton, whose brother Edward Bagley was the executor of Elizabeth Bernard’s will. Elizabeth refers to him as a kinsman in her will, and to date I have not discovered the precise relationship.
Hi William. That’s very interesting – but must be kind of frustrating at the same time! The relationship could of course be through marriage. Good luck with finding this – and let me know if you need any help.
Ros
I am a direct descendant of John Shakespeare through Joan Shakespeare & William Hart. I have the fully specified family tree of the Shakespeare Genealogy through the 1800s. I also have it beyond that but mainly just filled in the bit related to my great-granddad.
There is a lot of desperate searching going on here but fortunately through the power of the Internet, we can quickly cut to the chase and help finally show you your relation or not. Sorry for those with last name “Shakespeare”, you are not related even really indirectly related to William. Hart (really good chance here), Ashley (good chance), Smith, Whitehead, Grubb, Powell, Pool, Bradley, Hallen (good chance too), Watkins all have a chance (plus some others).
Here are 3 very useful sources (both books are reputable and draw on many sources – not like ancestry.com) to help you find your way. The last can help trace the lineage of many lines to the late 1800s (so you have a good change to find your great- or just granddad on there if you have a real link).
1) Site. This can get you started and fills in some gaps a few generations down from William and Joan. https://sites.google.com/site/fivegateways/alphabetical-index-s/shakspeare
(2) “Shakespeareana Genealogica” French (1869). Very thorough account. Can be purchased for cheap today. Has the family tree through the early 1800s. You can search it online at “http://books.google.com/books/about/Shakespeareana_genealogica.html?id=fS8PAAAAYAAJ”. Full text is available here (not in nice tables though) http://archive.org/stream/cu31924079621094/cu31924079621094_djvu.txt
(3) “Our Shakespearean Heritage” Matheson (1980). Few copies around. Can access copies from a few libraries or request to be sent to your library. Traces from John Shakespeare (William’s dad) through to my great-granddad (and others born late 1800s). Most complete family tree available that traces the closest to today. I may post copy online sometime of the tree. You can search for names to see part of the book online. E.g. type “Hallen” in the search box here – http://books.google.com/books/about/Our_Shakespearean_heritage.html?id=Pa5RAAAAMAAJ
Hope this helps either confirm it for you or settle it once and for all that it’s not in the cards.
Is there any datum about Shakespeare’s family alive descendant to use in a Congress concerning his 450 anniversary?
I’m looking forward to having direct your contact.
Thanks.
Hi there
You might want to look at the post below from Matt Harris, which has some useful websites. Obviously there are no direct descendants – but the Hart line is the best bet.
Cheers
Ros
I have been researching my Shakespeare family line since 1992. I have accumulated numerous documentation on the “Warwickshire” Shakespeare line and the descendents which backs up my research. I started a Shakespeare family tree on Ancestry starting with Benjamin Shakespeare born in 1806 in Staffordshire England. I have not yet published my resources completely on that yet but if someone wanted a copy of the resources I will gladly email it to them. I also have a ton of photos in my personal collection as well I would be happy to share. http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/6724845/family?cfpid=-1238311371
Hi Michelle
Thanks very much for that – very generous of you. I may be in touch myself in future if I need any resources!
Cheers
Ros
I have to very respectively dispute the claim that “anyone with the surname Shakespeare isn’t even remotely related to the bard.” There has been extensive research in England with documentation to back up the facts that show otherwise. According to this research, the first known “Shakespeare” was actually Adam of Oldeditch in Balsall, and changed his surname to Shakespeare in 1389. He is the great grandfather to Richard Shakespeare, the poet’s grandfather, and one of my ancestors as well. A good synopsis would be to read the “Dictionary of National Biography, Vol 1-20, 22.” Further reading would be on http://heartengland.blogspot.com/2011_08_01_archive.html which outlines Michael Wood’s book “In Search of Shakespeare”. If anyone would like to review my personal documented Shakespeare line, I would be happy to accommodate! Our line resides in Illinois, Maine, Kansas, England and Australia.