Family History

I can trace the history of your family back as far as is possible in various English counties.

Using sources such as parish registers and probate documents, I can attempt to trace your lineage back to the 16th century.

I can also use sources such as manorial records and taxation records to search for your ancestors or occurrences of your surname before the 16th century.

Please contact me, if you would like me to research your ancestry or the origins of your surname.

Shakespeare family of Warwickshire

I searched indictments of the Court of King's Bench (KB 9) at The National Archives for references to the surname Shakespeare in Warwickshire.

I found one possible reference to John Shakespeare, father of William Shakespeare, as well as two to Richard Shakespeare, William's alleged grandfather.

I also found three references to Richard Hathaway, William's father in law.

Stephen Hopkins of the Mayflower

I searched parish registers and manorial records for Hursley, Hants, for references to the family of Stephen Hopkins, one of the passengers on the Mayflower, before he and his family came to America on the Mayflower.

I found the baptisms of some of his children by his first wife, as well as other references, and established that his first wife may have been a member of the Kent alias Back family of Hursley.

Scandrett family of Herefordshire

I searched various records at The National Archives, such as Chancery suits, taxation records and manorial documents, for references to the surname Scandrett in the 15th to 17th centuries.

I established that the family originated from the Kington and Huntington areas in Herefordshire.