My DNA Test

Last year, I decided to take a DNA test to help with my family history research. There are several companies that offer DNA testing, but Ancestry has by far the biggest database of DNA results (from more than 15 million people), so I chose them. I bought the test on Black Friday (23 November 2018), when the normal price of £79 was reduced to £49. There was also a £10 charge for shipping. More information about the test is at https://www.ancestrydna.co.uk/kits?&&pgrid=49763045925&ptaid=kwd-297622641345&s_kwcid=ancestry%20dna&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3s7Jgb-b4gIV65ztCh03cA_yEAAYASABEgLY__D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I received the test kit in the post soon after ordering it, but didn’t send off my sample (saliva) until January 2019. I was sent my results online about 6 weeks later. Ancestry provide a list of the names of DNA matches and the amount of DNA you share, under headings indicating how close the relationship is. I had one match under the second cousin heading, 4 third cousins and 190 fourth cousins (this category actually covers fourth to sixth cousins). Second cousins share a set of great grandparents, third cousins share a set of great, great grandparents, fourth cousins share a set of great, great, great grandparents. The list of matches is added to as more people are tested – I now have 2 second cousins, 7 third cousins and 235 fourth cousins.

In order to get the most benefit from a DNA test, you should enter the names and dates of your ancestors and link this information to your name on the Ancestry DNA site. If a DNA match has attached their family tree, the site will highlight surnames that are in your tree and their’s. It is then often apparent who the shared ancestor is. The system also lists the names of shared matches. If you know how a name on this list is related to you, then others on it are probably related via the same line. The system also allows you to send a message to your DNA matches.

The results from my DNA test were not as useful as I hoped. I had previously made contact with 8 of my DNA matches before I got the results. Only 36% of other DNA matches that I contacted replied to my message to them. Only 15 of my closest 50 matches had attached a family tree that I could view. Consequently, I wasn’t able to establish how a lot of my DNA matches are related to me. However, I made some good contacts who have supplied me with information and pictures that I have added to my family history blogs.

There is a useful article on how to make the most of your DNA results at  https://www.lostcousins.com/newsletters2/wedding18.htm#Masterclass

There were 11 DNA matches where I was able to establish a definite link to my father’s family. Two of them were second cousins descended from great grandparents George and Margaret Taylor. One was descended from my grandfather’s brother Samuel Taylor and the other from my grandfather’s sister Margaret Ellen Smith nee Taylor. There were also two third cousins who were descended from my great, great grandparents George and Elizabeth Cornwell. One was descended from their son George Cornwell and the other from their daughter Elizabeth Harling nee Cornwell.

The test also provides an ethnicity estimate, by comparing DNA results with those of people in various regions throughout the world. These estimates are of dubious value and accuracy. In my case, my ethnicity was estimated as 88% from England, Wales and Northwestern Europe, with most from the East of England, 5% from Norway, 5% from Ireland or Scotland and 2% from Germanic Europe. All of the ancestors that I have found from my research were born in England, with quite a few born in Essex. I am not aware of any ancestors born in Norway, Ireland, Scotland or Germanic Europe.

George Taylor (1877-1953)

George Taylor was my great uncle. He was the eldest brother of my grandfather William Taylor (1890-1972). Their parents were George and Margaret Taylor, who had 12 children, 8 boys and 4 girls. Their son George was born on 16th July 1877 in Newcastle, whilst his father was serving in the Royal Artillery there. It seems that George senior took his wife and family with him to his various postings (including India in 1881) so George junior would have had a rather unsettled childhood.

George senior left the army in 1886 and the family moved to Charlton. The 1891 census shows George Taylor (aged 41, a labourer) and Margaret (36) living at 9 West Street, Charlton with their children George (14), Ernest (12), Harriet (9), Charles (6), Margaret (4) and Thomas (2) and William (10 months). Thomas died in 1898 aged 9.

By 1901 the family were living at 7 West Street, Charlton and consisted of George (aged 50, a labourer local board), Margaret (47), George (24, a covering machinist), Jane (19, a covering machinist), Charles (16, a covering machinist), Margaret (14, a daily servant), William (10), Samuel (9) and May (6).

George married Kate Elizabeth Lambert on 30^th March 1902 at West Green Baptist Chapel, Tottenham. The marriage certificate shows him to be aged 25, a wood machinist. She was also 25, a daughter of Leonard Lambert who was a gas fitter. The witnesses were Charles Taylor (a brother of George) and Ada Lambert.

Marriage certificate of George Taylor

George and Kate had a son, George Edward Taylor who was born on 23^rd August 1904 in Woolwich. He was baptised on 7^th March 1905 at Holy Trinity Church, Charlton. The baptism record shows the family’s address as 18 James Street, Woolwich and George’s occupation as insurance agent. Sadly, the boy died later that year, before his first birthday.

The 1911 census shows George (33) and Kate (33, born in Dalston) living in three rooms at 6 Inverine Road, Charlton (near Charlton station). By then George was an insurance superintendent. Considering that George came from a poor background, this sounds like good career progress. They had three children, William Leonard (3), Kate Margaret Annie (2) and George Charles (1), all born in Marylebone. George Charles Taylor died in Q2 1911. Another child, Ernest Walter, was born later in 1911. He died aged 3 in 1915 and is buried in Charlton Cemetery.

6 Inverine Road, Charlton (in 2012)

The 1928 to 1939 electoral registers show George, Kate and William living at 31a Inverine Road in Charlton. In 1931 and 1932 Kate Margaret Taylor (their daughter) was living at 31 Inverine Road. She died in 1933 aged 25. The 1939 Register shows George (a builder's watchman), Kate and William at 31a Inverine Road.

William died in 1943 in Greenwich aged 35. This meant that all five of George and Kate’s children died before they did.

31 and 31a Inverine Road, Charlton (in 2012)

George and Kate lived at 31 Inverine Road from 1945 to 1950, when Kate died aged 72. She is buried in grave R / 241 in Charlton Cemetery with her children Kate and William. The kerbstones round the plot are engraved

In loving memory of our dear daughter KATE MARGARET ANNIE TAYLOR ….. ….. ….. /

Also our dear son WILLIAM LEONARD TAYLOR who died 24^th March 1943 aged 35 years / KATE E TAYLOR, a beloved wife and mother, died 5^th March 1950 aged 72.

George continued to live at 31 Inverine Road until he died in 1953 aged 75. He was buried on 7th March 1953 at Charlton Cemetery, not in the same grave as his wife and children (perhaps because it was full) but in grave Y / 735. I cannot find a probate record for him.

Ellen Smiles (1852-1929)

Ellen Smiles was the twin sister of my great grandmother Margaret Taylor nee Smiles (1852-1917). Ellen and Margaret were born on September 5^th 1852 in Newcastle upon Tyne. Their parents were Jane Smiles and Alexander Maddison, who were not married.

The 1861 census shows William Smiles (aged 78, a cowkeeper), his unmarried daughters Jane (38, a housekeeper) and Mary (28) plus Jane’s daughters Margaret (7) and Ellen (7) living at 3 Liverpool Court, Newcastle.

Ellen married Joseph Scragg on December 20^th 1875 at St Andrew’s, Newcastle. She was aged 23. He was aged 31, a soldier in the Royal Artillery. He originated from Prestbury in Cheshire. They went on to have five children, namely William Joseph (born 1876 in Newcastle), Samuel (born 1878 in Weedon, Northants), Thomas (born 1880 in Aldershot), Jemima (born 1882 in Trowbridge) and May (born 1884 in Macclesfield). The birth places of the first four children probably reflect the location of army barracks where Joseph was sent to. The 1881 census shows Ellen and her family living at the Royal Artillery Barracks, Aldershot.

Ellen Scragg nee Smiles, one of her children (William Joseph?) and her husband Joseph c1879 (photo supplied by Rosslyn Hughes).

Joseph Scragg was an Army pensioner and general labourer in 1885 when he died in Macclesfield aged 41, as a result of a thoracic aneurism. Ellen married John James Williams, another soldier, in 1886. She was 33, he was about 32 and came from Manchester. They had three children, John James (born 1887 in Colchester), Albert Edward (born 1890 in Whittingdon, Staffordshire) and Ellen (born 1896 in Newcastle).

The 1891 census shows Ellen, her husband John (a Private in the Infantry) and seven children living at Whittingdon Barracks, Staffordshire. By 1901, the family were living at 6 Douglas Terrace, Westgate, Newcastle. John had left the Army and was a builder’s labourer. In 1911, Ellen was living at 3 Neville Court, Newcastle (in 3 rooms) with her husband John (a labourer) her son William Joseph Scraggs (34, an insurance agent), daughter Ellen Williams (14) and grandchildren Lily Pretoria (11) and Margaret Scraggs (8), who were William’s children, their mother Hannah having died in 1908.

Ellen died in 1929 aged 76 in Newcastle.

Samuel Taylor (1892-1952)

Samuel Taylor was a younger brother of my grandfather William Taylor (1890-1972). This profile of Samuel’s life was written with the help of Amanda Butler, who is a great grand-daughter of Samuel and is one of the matches from my Ancestry DNA test.

Samuel was born on April 24^th 1892 in Charlton, Greenwich. He was one of 12 children (8 boys and 4 girls) born to George Taylor (1849-1903) and his wife Margaret nee Smiles (1852-1917). George had left the British Army (he was a Bombardier in the Royal Artillery) in 1886 and the family set up home in West Street, Charlton, a road with poor quality housing.

The 1901 census shows Samuel living at 7 West Street, Charlton. The household consisted of George (aged 50, a labourer local board), Margaret (47), George (24, a covering machinist), Jane (19, a covering machinist), Charles (16, a covering machinist), Margaret (14, a daily servant), William (10), Samuel (9) and May (6). The house that Samuel and his family lived in no longer exists, but I have a map which indicates that it was fairly small. As 8 people lived there in 1901, it must have been crowded !

Samuel’s father George died in 1903. In 1909, Samuel, aged 17, joined the Territorial Army. His attestation form (on the website Findmypast) gives his address as 7 West Street, Charlton and his occupation as a labourer at Royal Arsenal (which was nearby in Woolwich). His height was 5 foot 2 inches, chest (expanded) 32.5 inches. He was passed fit to join the army and was assigned to the 8^th London (Howitzer) Brigade. As a territorial soldier, Samuel received some initial training and 2 weeks of training each year. He was not in the army full time. He was discharged in 1913, having served the 4 years he signed on for. His discharge papers say that he was not wounded and did not take part in any campaigns during his service. They give his next of kin as his mother Margaret, 7 West Street, Charlton. She married Morris Samuels in 1911.

The 1911 census shows the inhabitants of 7 West Street to be Morris Samuels (62, a ships storekeeper’s labourer), Margaret Samuels (56), Charles (26), William (20) and Samuel (18) Taylor, all ammunition labourers (Charles at Vickers and Maxim, William and Samuel at Woolwich Arsenal).

Samuel (like other men of his age) fought in the 1914-18 World War. If he didn’t volunteer to join, he would have been conscripted into the armed forces (conscription was introduced in 1916). I can’t find a WW1 service record for him, but it may well be one of many that were destroyed by fire during the blitz in WW2.

Samuel’s mother Margaret died in 1917. That year, Samuel, aged 24, married Elizabeth Alice Taylor in Greenwich. She was born in Greenwich, aged 25, a daughter of Robert Taylor (a gas works labourer) and his wife Caroline. Samuel and Elizabeth had a son, Ronald Samuel Joseph in 1923 and another son, Edward Robert in 1926, both born in Greenwich.

The 1921 census shows Samuel, aged 29, a moulder working for Siemens Brothers in Woolwich and Elizabeth, aged 29, occupation "home duties", living at 22 Combedale Road, London SE10. The house (in Greenwich, near Westcombe Park train station) still exists, it is a mid terrace property on three floors. Samuel and Elizabeth occupied 3 rooms and presumably occupied one floor of the house.

Samuel Taylor c 1923, from a wedding photo

(the woman next to him is probably his wife Elizabeth).

The birth certificate of Ronald shows that Samuel and his wife were living at 5 Weetman Street in 1923. Samuel’s occupation is given as “engineer fitter and turner”. Electoral registers from 1924 to 1933 show Samuel and Elizabeth living at 5 Weetman Street, Greenwich. This road no longer exists but was on the western side of the Greenwich Peninsula, near the Blackwall Tunnel approach road.

By 1939, Samuel and his family were living in Croydon. The 1939 Register shows them living at 27 Croydon Grove, about 1 mile NW of central Croydon. The family consisted of Samuel (an ebonite moulder) and Elizabeth with their sons Ronald (a poster writer) and Edward (at school). Ebonite is a type of hard rubber.

Elizabeth died in 1946 aged 54 at The General Hospital, Croydon. Probate records give her address as 28 Croydon Grove. Administration (indicating that she did not leave a will) of her estate was granted to her husband Samuel, a painter, and her son Ronald, a private in the army. She left £5,030 12s 8d, which is equivalent to about £520,000 now, when calculated in relation to average wages.

Samuel died on July 17th 1952 aged 60 at Purley Cottage Hospital, Croydon. His death certificate says that he died from bronchopneumonia, but that the underlying cause was tuberculosis (a bacterial infection) in his left hip joint. It gives his address as 28 Croydon Grove and his occupation as “builder and decorator on own account.”

Samuel's will (made in 1946) appointed his sons Ronald and Edward as his executors. It left his gold dress ring to his son Edward. The two sons were left equal shares of the rest of his estate. Probate was granted to Ronald, a storekeeper and Edward, a fitter. The value of his estate was £1,519 18s 9d (equivalent to about £160,000 now).

Margaret Ellen Smith nee Taylor (1886-1970)

Margaret was a sister of my grandfather William Taylor (1890-1972). Most of the information in this item came from Sarah, a great grand-daughter of Margaret. I made contact with Sarah as a result of a match from my Ancestry DNA test.

Margaret Ellen Taylor was born on 28 December 1886 at 4 West Street, Charlton in SE London. She was the fifth of twelve children born to George Taylor (1849-1903) and his wife Margaret nee Smiles (1852-1917). George had been a Bombardier in the Royal Artillery, but left the Army in 1886. Margaret’s birth certificate describes his occupation as “sawyer”. Later records describe him as a labourer. West Street was an area of poor housing. The road is now called Westmore Street.

The 1901 census lists George Taylor (aged 50, a labourer local board), his wife Margaret (47), and children George (24, a covering machinist), Jane (19, a covering machinist), Charles (16, a covering machinist), Margaret (14, a daily servant), William (10), Samuel (9) and May (6) living at 7 West Street, Charlton. Margaret’s father George died in 1903, when she was 16.

On 16 August 1910 Margaret married Alfred Charles Smith at Holy Trinity, Charlton, a church on Woolwich Road, near the junction with West Street. Margaret was aged 23, Alfred was 20, a milkman. His father was Edward Smith, a foreman joiner.

The 1911 census shows Alfred and Margaret living at 20, Alfred Street, Bermondsey. His occupation is milkman and his birth place is recorded as Staines (a town on the West side of London). They are living in just 1 room. Sometime later in 1911 they moved to Staines. Their first child, Charles Alfred Smith, was born there on 10 October 1911. They later had three more children namely Vera May Margaret (born 5 June 1913), Edith Rose (born 19 October 1915) and Edward Douglas (born 22 March 1918).

Alfred volunteered to join the army on 25 January 1915 at Kingston Upon Thames, aged 23. His occupation is recorded on the Attestation Form as engine driver and his address with Margaret was 23 Ruskin Road, Staines, Middlesex. He initially joined the Army Service Corps (source Surrey Recruitment Registers 1908-1933 and Army Record). He was based in England from 25 January to 2 September 1915 and was then sent with the Expeditionary Force to France on 3 September 1915. He had been promoted to Corporal by the time he left the Army in April 1919. His address at the time of leaving was 41 Hummer Road, Egham, Surrey.

A newspaper report shows that Alfred and Margaret attended the funeral of my grandmother Gertrude Taylor nee Wilkins, who died in 1919 of influenza.

The 1921 census shows Alfred (aged 29) and Margaret Smith (33) living in 5 rooms at 41 Hummer Road, Egham with their children Charles (9), May (8), Edith (5) and Douglas (3) plus a boarder. Alfred's occupation was pipe fitter and he worked for Austin Palmer in Egham.

In 1927/28 on the Electoral Register, Alfred and Margaret Ellen are recorded against 93 Thames Street, Staines but their actual abode was 48 Hummer Road, Egham.

Family recollection appears to indicate that Margaret Ellen was a formidable lady and could be quite a dominant figure in her household even to her husband. She was strict with her children, commanded respect and was always ready to voice her opinion on what they did, even as adults.

Electoral Registers for 1938 and 1939 and the 1939 Register show Margaret living at 32 Hurstdene Avenue, Staines with her daughter Edith. In the 1939 Register Margaret is recorded as undertaking ‘unpaid domestic duties’. Edith is a sewing machinist with a cotton clothing manufacturer. Alfred is not listed at the address. It seems likely (although I am not sure of this) that Alfred and Margaret had separated by 1938 as they were not living together.

 Margaret Ellen Smith at her daughter Edith’s marriage to Victor Offord in 1945

Margaret continued to live in the family home at 32 Hurstdene Avenue, Staines. Her daughter Edith and Edith's husband, Victor Offord also lived with her there. Google Streetview shows the house to be semi-detached, probably built in the 1920s or 1930s, in a quiet residential road.

Alfred died in 1964 aged 73 in Windsor registration district. Probate records give his address as The Bungalow, Mushroom Castle, Winkfield, Berkshire. He left no will and administration of his estate (£700) was granted to his daughter Edith.

Margaret died on 17 March 1970 at Ashford Hospital, Stanwell (near Staines) aged 83. Her death certificate gives her address as 32 Hurstdene Avenue. She is described as the widow of Alfred Charles Smith, a Clerk of Works (retired). The informant was her daughter Edith Offord, who had the same address. The main cause of death was pulmonary embolus (a blocked blood vessel in the lungs).

Probate records show that Margaret’s estate was valued at £6,000. This is equivalent to about £150,000 now, when assessed relative to the wage of the average worker. Administration was approved, indicating that Margaret left no will.