UPSIDE DOWNTON ABBEY: CAST MEMBERS’ LINEAGE THROWS UP SOME SURPRISES

UPSIDE DOWNTOWN ABBEY

Fascinating insights from Ancestry reveal the family history of the cast of Downton Abbey, discovering upstairs-downstairs role reversals and life imitating art

  Friday September 13^th – To celebrate the release of the Downton Abbey film on 13^th September, Ancestry® – the global leader in family history and consumer genomics – has shared new insights into the family trees of some of the show’s most notable characters. The research shows how for some of the stars, their ancestors lives imitated art while for others their fortunes were very different.

Michelle Dockery aka Lady Mary Crawley

The records show that Michelle Dockery, who plays Lady Mary Crawley – is much more “downstairs” than “upstairs”. While Lady Crawley had many servants waiting on her, Michelle’s ancestors waited on others. According to the 1851 Census, her fourth great-grandfather, William James Osborn Purkis, worked as a waiter for one of the hotels or restaurants in London. The findings also reveal her fourth great-aunt, Mary Ann Eagle, was engaged in house service in Bromley St Leonard, Middlesex.

Jim Carter aka butler Charles Carson

Meanwhile, the opposite is true of Jim Carter – who plays butler Charles Carson. His ancestors were considerably more “upstairs” than “downstairs”. His grandfather, John Thomas Carter, was a cattle dealer by trade and appears to have been a successful businessman; his entry in the National Probate Calendar indicates he left his widow, Charlotte Carter, £29,845 4s [shillings] and 6d [pence]. This equates to over £1,513,782 in today’s money.

His great-grandfather, Thomas Miller, was a publican and inn-keeper and his daughter described her father as a ‘Gentleman’ on her marriage record in 1905. The 1911 Census recorded Thomas and his family living at Laverton Grange, near Ripon in Yorkshire. While not as large as Downton Abbey itself, the impressive house was constructed in 1835 and still stands today.

Lesley Nicol aka cook Beryl Patmore

Lesley Nicol, who plays Beryl Patmore – the Crawley family cook – also has ancestors who may have risen into the higher class. Her third great-grandfather, James MacMillan, was a wine merchant and William Glasgow, her second great-grandfather, was a spirit merchant.

Allen Leech aka estate manager Tom Branson

What’s more, the findings reveal the ancestors of Allen Leech, who plays Tom Branson – the former chauffeur and the current estate manager for Downton Abbey – held powerful and influential positions in Ireland. His maternal great-grandfather, Patrick J Power, was a national health insurance inspector, while his second great-grandfather, Thomas B Killeen, was the master of a workhouse in Knockanimma, County Galway, and was listed as ‘Gentleman’ in his daughter’s marriage record.

 In some instances, however, Ancestry.co.uk found art imitating life.

Sophie McShera aka assistant cook Daisy Mason

The great-grandmother of Sophie McShera, who Daisy Mason – the loveable assistant cook – was also listed as a cook on her marriage certificate. In the series, Sophie marries WWI soldier and hero, William Mason – and a hero of the Great War was found in her family tree. Francis Henry Corsbie, Sophie’s second great-grandfather, served during WWI in the Durham Light Infantry, Military Foot Police and was awarded three campaign medals: the 1915 Star, British, and Victory, also known as ‘Pip, Squeak, and Wilfred’.

Phyllis Logan aka housekeeper Mrs Hughes

Finally, Phyllis Logan, who plays hard-working Mrs Hughes – the dedicated housekeeper of Downton Abbey – has several hardworking women in her family tree. Phyllis’s grandmother, Isabella Fraser Pattison, and her great-grandmother, Agnes Fairlie, were employed as thread-mill workers, devoting themselves to the manufacture of thread in Paisley, Scotland.

Russell James, DNA and Family History expert at Ancestry®, commented: “It’s fascinating to delve into the family history of the nation’s favourite period drama to not only discover who is more ‘downstairs’ than ‘upstairs’, but whose storylines mirror the real-life experiences of their ancestors.

 “As the film of Downton Abbey hits the big screen, we hope people across the country are inspired to start their own family history search and discover the fortunes of their ancestors.”

 You can learn more about your family history and discover your own ‘Downton Abbey backstory’ by visiting ancestry.co.uk and signing up for a 14 day free trial.