Jewish family in rural Suffolk?

[XPhile2868]

Hi,
    I've been sent an email from a distant relative who has a story in his family that one of his great grandmothers was Jewish, one of which is a Warner. Although we both think it is unlikely, is it possible that a family of Ag Labourers in the middle of rural Suffolk could be Jewish? There isn't any Jewish names or anything, just names like Robert, Eliza and George.


Stephen

[Rick]

Hi Stephen

Try

http://www.simonknott.co.uk/jewish/jewish1.htm

It might be worth contacting Simon directly.

Rick

[Eppingjewish]

Hello Stephen,

I just came across your post. Interestingly I am trying to trace my own Rural Suffolk ancestry in the Hoxne area which also seems to be Jewish. My direct ancestor is a Solomon Rayner and the family were working as cordwainers and shoemakers, there is also information that the family of the mother Harriet Harvey may also be Jewish.

I believe that in part of rural Suffolk there seems to be some Jewish connection which could either trace back to pre-1290 with the Jewish expulsion or from the 1650s with the return.

It's also possible immigrants from elsewhere could be crypto-Jews and immigrated in the intermediate period etc.

Regards,

Nicky

[islasgranny]

My father's family has a story, which I've had from 2 sources who don't know of each other's existence, of Jewish forbears in rural Suffolk. My gggg grandfather was Thomas King, labourer, 1775-1830, d. Freckenham. One family source has him as the son of Abraham and Mary of Sudbury, saying that Abraham married the gentile Mary and was disowned by his family. I do have Ashkenazi DNA but also have Sephardic and possibly Ashkenazi DNA from my mother's family, so it's difficult to tell.

[Eppingjewish]

Dear Islasgranny,

That is very interesting. Do you know what time period that dates to as I know the period I'm currently upto is the late 18th century/early 19th century. My Rayner/Harvey family is primarily in the area around Hoxne, Wilby, Stradbroke, Debenham.

Regards,

Nicky

[islasgranny]

Hi Nicky,
As Thomas was born in 1775, working back from his burial record, his parents were probably married a  bit before that. I found a surprising number of marriages for Abraham Kings and Marys in that period and guessed that most of the Abrahams were nonconformists.

[Suffolkmole]

Hi, newbee here, I am interested in this thread as my ancestors are Smith's which I have traced back to the mid-1600s in the Layham area of Suffolk. My paternal DNA, which are the Smith's, suggests that I have Jewish DNA, however, the rest of the DNA is all central Suffolk. Any information about the Smith family in this area would be gratefully received.

[Lola5]

Rick,
That link does not work.

[JenB]

Rick,
That link does not work.

It was posted in 2006 !
The person who posted it hasn't logged in for 10 years.