Elizabeth Fry, the face on the back of a fiver, is my nan.
See this woman. I've just found out that she is my great great great great grandmother.
Earlier this week, as part of a feature I was writing for The Birmingham Post, I went with family historian Paul Wilkins to Birmingham Central Library to trace my family tree and discovered, amongst other great worthiness, that I am a direct descendant of Elizabeth Fry, the woman who reformed prisons in the nineteenth century and is commemorated on the back of a fiver.
Now I'm trying to work out how it makes me feel.
To be honest, it wasn't a total revelation. I was told this as a child but I had completely forgotten it as it hadn't been mentioned since. This is the first time I have seriously tried to take it in.
The news broke on same day that Trinity Mirror announced it was looking to axe between 60 and 80 posts in the Midlands, which means that my job, along with those of my fellow journalists, is seriously under threat.
But did I care? No, not that day because my great great great great grandmother was Elizabeth Fry and if she could reform the prison service, then I was damn sure I could work out how to support my family even if I didn't have a job in the depth of a recession. You can't touch me Trinity Mirror, I'm made of noble, worthy, heroic, pioneering, life-transforming stuff!
And then the next day I felt stumped because it was raining and I couldn't work out how to dry the washing...
At a practical level, knowing I have descended from a long line of do-gooders (we will be revealing more in the Post over the next few weeks) makes no difference at all. The difference is at the level of imagination and identity.
But even there, my relationship to the news is complex.
On the one hand, I am glowing - radiating the light from the halos of my ancestors. On the other, I know that I am who I am, regardless of who has gone before me. When I meet people, I want to know them for who they are, not for who their families might or might not be - and that includes myself.
I am very glad to be getting to know my ancestors but I am also very glad I lived for 45 years before I did. I'm glad I was established as a professional feminist before I knew my great great great great grandmother founded the first national women's organisation. I'm glad I had inquired about working as a writer in residence in prisons before I was aware I am a direct descendant of a prison reformer.
My first reaction to the news is to tell people - have a good old brag. But once it is integrated into my understanding of myself, I think it is something I will want to keep quiet. I will get photographs of the amazing women who have gone before me. I will keep them at home and when life is challenging, I will sit in their presence and silently draw from their strength.
The two Post articles:
The emotion and importance of tracing your family history
Genealogy and finding the hidden treasures of your family tree
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Hi Jo
Congratulations. Wonderful story, really well told (and in the Post).
hi jo wow what a coinsidence i too have been doing my tree and as a child i was told elizabeth fry was my relation i still have to verify it and im struck
but reading your story its amazing as a loyt of my grandparents ect where preists in winwick
they go on genorations and up to today when my brothere was an elder and many of us go t church stil
i was woundering how you verifeid your conection
are you from the gurney side
as i am
hope to here from you soon ruth
Thanks Sylvia,
I think my colleagues did a really good job of designing the pages for the story in The Post. It looked great.
Ruth,
If you want to know how to verify your connection why not email our family historian Paul Wilkins? His email is pwilkins@familyhistorydetectives.co.uk. He'd be very happy to explain how you do that.
My line goes like this: Jo Ind, daughter of Ronald Ind, son of Doris Cavell, daughter of Alice Pelly, daughter of Raymond Pelly,
son of Louisa Fry, daughter of Elizabeth Fry.
Good luck, cousin, let me know how you get on.
Jo
Jo
Do you wish to see the details of the earlier generations of you Gurney / Fry tree looked?
Richard
Hello Richard Gurney. Are you a cousin too?
I'll be getting round to tracing the earlier generations in due course, but are you telling me that you've already done it? Have we descended from the founders of Barclays Bank?
I'd be interested in anything you know.
My email is jo.ind@birminghampost.net.
Look forward to hearing from you.
I have in my possession an original painting of Elizabeth Fry as a young woman........or as it originally stated on the back of the painting, "a likeness". I now wish to sell this and would be interested to hear from anyone who wishes to know more.
Hi there
My grandmothers, grandmother was Elizabeth Fry.
Grew up knowing who she was, which was exciting at School when we studied her. Recently found out we are also related to Fry's Chocolate.. same family. I think we should be able to get a few free samples (chocolates and £5 notes).
Ill write to Paul WIlkins also. I know we have a family tree my uncle and aunt have been compiling which goes back to Elizabeth a few generations before.
Abigail
Hi Cousin. Thanks for getting in touch. Yes, free chocolate bars and £5 would be nice - though it would probably be very un-Quakerly to ask for them. Enjoy your family tree
I was told a few years back that Elizabeth Fry was also my ancestor from my Grandmother's side of our family. I don't know for certain whether this is fact, but i'd love to find out whether it is or not. So i would love for you to contact me or help me find Elizabeth's family tree.
I was similarly told that my mother's family (name of Lovering) might be connected to Elizabeth Fry and the Fry's Chocolate Company. I would therefore be delighted to have a copy of any related family trees! I can be contacted at rachel_vigneron@hotmail.com
Apart from my twin daughters and their grandmother, Nancy, being descendents of Elizabeth Fry, I beleive that Nancy still has a sampler sewn by Elizabeth. I would also love to have a copy of the family tree to try and trace my daughters on it.Thankj you