Question from Mary Ann - Living descendants of Thomas More
Does anyone know if there are any living descendants of St. Thomas More? I know the male line died out (I believe in the 1700s), but I know that his daughters married and had children.
Not a descendant, but I have a cute story about a little boy that was part of a field trip tour I was giving at work several years ago... The kids were lining up and the teacher said: "Everyone get behind Thomas More" and when I got to the front I asked "So, you're name is Thomas More?" He looked up at me and smiled and said "I'm named after a guy that got his head chopped off!"
So, it totally doesn't answer your question, but it always makes me smile. But I will look through some books tonight and see if I can find a real answer for you, if no one else beats me to it!
Well, it's not an answer, but I did find a reference to a book (published this year) titled "The Family and Descendants of St. Thomas More" by Martin Wood. Sounds like that might have some good information if you can get ahold of it.
I am the author of the book "The Family and Descendants of St Thomas More" mentioned in a reply to Mary Anne about living descendants. Thomas More is my 14 x great-grandfather. The book is available from the publisher 'Gracewing' and from Amazon.co.uk. Each chapter of the book deals with a different generation of the family down to the mid 1800s. I will help anyone who contacts me.
I am a decendant of the George Moore family of Moore Hall in County Mayo, Ireland. Family lore has said that they (and therefore I) are descended from Sir Thomas More, bUt I have never been able to find the direct connection. I would appreciate if you know. ginnynewkirk@gmail.com
Hola! Me podrías pasar el árbol de los Roper? En mi familia aparece una Mary Anne Fernandez Ropero, casada con Manuel del Castillo Negrete y según nuestras abuelas somos descendientes de Santo Tomas Moro. Mi mail es paucdiaz@hotmail.com
I am a direct descendant of Thomas More. He is my 17th great grandfather. My line comes into Virginia, West Virginia, and now in Ohio. Surnames associated are: Foster, Terrill, Burns, and Burch.
I am a direct descendant via the Roper and Winn line. My great grandmother was Lucy Strickland-Constable who was the great-great-great-great granddaughter of Elizabeth Henshaw, nee Roper.
I had just the direct linage of my husbgand done by a geneologist 2 years ago. It showed my husband was a direct descendant of Sir Thomas More. Unfortunately, I had my computer compromised and lost all my information. I have been able to work Out all lines of his family except the More one. Could somebody set me right , as far as the first generation to be born in America.
I descend from Sir Thomas More, starting with his paternal grandfather, as follows:
William More Esquire (died 1467) is my 16th great grandfather Sir John More (1451 - 1530) son of William More Esquire ▽Sir Thomas More (1478 - 1535) son of Sir John More ▽John More II (1509 - 1547) son of Sir Thomas More ▽Thomas "The Younger" More III (1538 - 1606) son of John More II ▽Thomas More (1568 - 1616) son of Thomas "The Younger" More III ▽Alice More (1593 - 1628) daughter of Thomas More ▽Thomas Vail (1620 - 1687) son of Alice More ▽Samuel Vail (1654 - 1695) son of Thomas Vail ▽Rev. John J. Vail (1685 - 1774) son of Samuel Vail ▽Joseph Vail (1717 - 1804) son of Rev. John J. Vail ▽Joseph "John" Vail (1741 - 1818) son of Joseph Vail ▽James Vail (1796 - 1825) son of Joseph "John" Vail ▽Solomon Vail (1825 - 1906) son of James Vail ▽Merida Marlow Vail (1854 - 1925) son of Solomon Vail ▽Byron Solomon Vail (1878 - 1949) son of Merida Marlow Vail ▽Courtney Ballard "Bill" Vail (1911 - 1978) son of Byron Solomon Vail ▽Dennis Michael "Mike" Vail (1940 - 1998) son of Courtney Ballard "Bill" Vail ▽Douglas Micah Vail (born 1970) the son of Dennis Michael "Mike" Vail
My father always told me that we were descendants of Sir Thomas Moore and I am linked by DNA to the names More and Vail, our family are Roman Catholic and my father was brought up in a monastery .
Unfortunately Ancestry has mistakes which lead some (especially in America)to believe that they are descended from Sir/St Thomas More when they are not. If you make such a claim, I can help. Contact me at mar-ter.wd@ntlworld.com [Martin Wood: Author "The Family and Descendants of St. Thomas More". Published in the UK. April 2008.
I thought I was a descendent of Sir Thomas More as well until Martin showed me I was incorrect. I never got an answer from Martin about DNA testing though. Have you had your DNA tested? If so I have done 23andme& AncestryDNA and would love to compae! Thanks.
Many comments from people claiming to be direct descendents of Thomas More, yet online genealogical charts say that there have been no direct descendents from the male OR female line since the late 18th century.
Some of the most used internet genealogy sites have led a number of people to believe that they are descended from Sir/St Thomas ore, when they are not. There are no early descendants who went to America. The Vail line, fro0m which some claim descent is far from proved and has involved a good deal or name and place changes to make it look authentic. Some claim descent from a John Moore who went to Virginia in 1620, but his English ancestry is unknown. He was most certainly not the son of Mary More (b.1553) and her husband Edward Moore/More who (beside five daughters)only had two sons, Henry and Thomas, both of whom became Jesuit priests. The claim that a Thomas More married a Martha Brookes is a pure fabrication. Martin Wood [Author: "The Family and Descendants of St Thomas More". Published in the UK. April 2008.]
Attention of Mr martin Wood, author of the book related to the descendants of st Thomas More. My Granbd grand mother, born Marie-Antoinette-Jeanne Onffroy de Verez used to relate the fact that we are descendants from Thomas More by claire Pike de Barbuth who married Pierre-Rolland Onffroy de Verez. can you tell me if any of these names is appearing in your research before I purchase youir book ?
My mother told me when I was young that sir Thomas more is my 5th great uncle or so and I have been trying to find others but I'm not sure if all of these people here are actually related since ansetery is not a good resource.
After researching myself, the late Martin Wood of England was correct on clear proof needed to connect the Vail line with Sir Thomas More. Martin Wood's prevailing book is well researched and countervails travails. Possibly an archive will surface, but to no avail so far. The Vail family did marry into the More and Moore families in England and America in the 16th and 17th centuries, but evidence is still vital for exact descent from any of the family of Sir Thomas More.
My second cousin researched the Roper family tree. When tracing his father's family tree (Edward Roper) he discovered that the Roper's from Reading in Berkshire were decendents of William Roper and Margaret Moore (Sir Thomas's daughter). Does anyone have any info on the Moore-Roper anvestry ?
Hi! Thomas More is my 14th-Great-Grandfather. I'm 16, and my grandfather, who is British (TM's 12th-great-grandson), found an old family tree in his childhood home when he was cleaning it out following his mother's death about 20 years ago and made this discovery. I don't have the full line right now, but I'll try to find it.
Thank you for your post. I am new to tracing my ancestors so I can only go on snippets of info. I did contact my cousin but he didn't respond. The last piece of information I can find was that William and Margaret had 2 son's Thomas and Anthony. They both married and Thomas had 2 daughters who married so that was the last of the Roper name. Anthony married Lucy Cotton but I don't know if they had any children. There is a huge gap overy the centuries until you get to my Gt Grandfather Edward Roper who died in 1966.
My family genealogy shows that we too are from the More/Moore line. But I tend to be a bit skeptical, therefore will continue to research the lineage. Things that I do know is that a side of the family were very much into ministry of the Christian Faith in England and in America. Late 1500's (Eng) thru 1800's (USA)......so, anything is possible. Member of the Champion Family
I am James More, and my family thinks that we have relations with Sir Thomas More. I am also a male. What do you think? You think the descendants are still alive my last name is spelled More also, which is a peculiar thing. Tell me what you think. Thanks
I am also 17th great granddaughter of St. Thomas Moore. Would love to connect with other descendants! We have a lot to live up to! Crandy4711@gmail.com
I have been researching my maternal line and was given this list of grandparents which leadds back to Sir Thomas More. I have similar facial features to the paintings I have seen of him. Here is the list I was given. Thomas is the 15th great grandfather of Kathleen 1. Kathleen is the daughter of Lillian (Cauldwell) Rogan [unknown confidence] 2. Lillian is the daughter of Vesta Elizabeth Ann Kinnear [unknown confidence] 3. Vesta is the daughter of Millicent Alberta (Noble) Kinnear [unknown confidence] 4. Millie is the daughter of Thomas Henry Noble [unknown confidence] 5. Thomas is the son of Hezekiah Noble [unknown confidence] 6. Hezekiah is the son of Thomas Smith Noble [unknown confidence] 7. Thomas is the son of Stephen Noble [unknown confidence] 8. Stephen is the son of Ruth (Church) Noble [confident] 9. Ruth is the daughter of Ruth Hitchcock [confident] 10. Ruth is the daughter of Elizabeth (Walker) Hitchcock [unknown confidence] 11. Elizabeth is the daughter of Elizabeth (Wheeler) Walker [unknown confidence] 12. Elizabeth is the daughter of Miriam (Hawley) Wheeler [unknown confidence] 13. Miriam is the daughter of Katherine (Booth) Hawley [unknown confidence] 14. Katherine is the daughter of Ann (Revel) Booth [confident] 15. Ann is the daughter of Ann More [unknown confidence] 16. Ann is the daughter of John More II [unknown confidence] 17. John is the son of Thomas More [unknown confidence] This makes Thomas the 15th great grandfather of Kathleen. kfnubbins1@gmail.com
This family tree from the 19th century shows descent from Thomas Moore, through Anthony Roper's daughter Isabel to Isabella Wiseman, wife of Sir Henry Bosville (d 1638), so (if true) all descendants of Sir Henry are descended from Thomas More
Not a descendant, but I have a cute story about a little boy that was part of a field trip tour I was giving at work several years ago... The kids were lining up and the teacher said: "Everyone get behind Thomas More" and when I got to the front I asked "So, you're name is Thomas More?" He looked up at me and smiled and said "I'm named after a guy that got his head chopped off!"
ReplyDeleteSo, it totally doesn't answer your question, but it always makes me smile. But I will look through some books tonight and see if I can find a real answer for you, if no one else beats me to it!
Well, it's not an answer, but I did find a reference to a book (published this year) titled "The Family and Descendants of St. Thomas More" by Martin Wood. Sounds like that might have some good information if you can get ahold of it.
ReplyDeleteI recently discovered that I am a direct descendant of Thomas More as he is my 10th Great grandfather.
ReplyDeletePost a reply or email directly through my webpage if you'd like to see the descendancy. www.loganisle.com
I’m a direct descendant of Sir Richard Rich, sooo, my apologies
DeleteI am the author of the book "The Family and Descendants of St Thomas More" mentioned in a reply to Mary Anne about living descendants. Thomas More is my 14 x great-grandfather.
ReplyDeleteThe book is available from the publisher 'Gracewing' and from Amazon.co.uk.
Each chapter of the book deals with a different generation of the family down to the mid 1800s.
I will help anyone who contacts me.
I am a decendant of the George Moore family of Moore Hall in County Mayo, Ireland. Family lore has said that they (and therefore I) are descended from Sir Thomas More, bUt I have never been able to find the direct connection. I would appreciate if you know. ginnynewkirk@gmail.com
DeleteHola! Me podrías pasar el árbol de los Roper? En mi familia aparece una Mary Anne Fernandez Ropero, casada con Manuel del Castillo Negrete y según nuestras abuelas somos descendientes de Santo Tomas Moro. Mi mail es paucdiaz@hotmail.com
DeleteGracias
Paulina
Thank you for your answers. I've ordered Mr. Wood's book and look forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteFor all you fans of “The Tudors” and more. Here is a fascinating view of the descendants in the audience..I might be one of them and so could you!
ReplyDeleteTudors Descendants in the audience. Are you one of them?
http://familyforest.wordpress.com/2009/12/14/tudors-descendants-in-the-audience-are-you-one-of-them/
See the fan charts for the characters in The Tudors:
http://www.familyforest.com
I am a directed descendant. I forget how many greats are in there, but he is my great-grandfather to some degree.
ReplyDeleteI am a direct descendant of Thomas More. He is my 17th great grandfather. My line comes into Virginia, West Virginia, and now in Ohio. Surnames associated are: Foster, Terrill, Burns, and Burch.
ReplyDeleteHe is my 14th Great grandfather. I went my dad his dad his dad and soon. Also my family lived in Virginia and West Virginia.
DeleteSaint Thoomas More is my 14th times great grandfather. I went my dad his dad his dad and back. Also they lived in Virginua and West Virginia.
DeleteI am a direct descendant via the Roper and Winn line. My great grandmother was Lucy Strickland-Constable who was the great-great-great-great granddaughter of Elizabeth Henshaw, nee Roper.
ReplyDeleteI had just the direct linage of my husbgand done by a geneologist 2 years ago. It showed my husband was a direct descendant of Sir Thomas More.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I had my computer compromised and lost all my information. I have been able to work Out all lines of his family except the More one.
Could somebody set me right , as far as the first generation to be born in America.
I also discovered through Ancestry.com, that Sir Thomas More was my 12th great grandfather, through my father's line.
ReplyDeleteI'm so amazed!
I'm a direct descendant through my father's line. Sir Thomas More is my 12th great-grandfather and Captain Myles Standish is my 9th great grandfather.
ReplyDeleteFrom Ancestry.com I found out that Sir. Thomas More is my 17th great-grandfather on my father's mother side.
ReplyDeletehe is my 13th great grandfather from my mother's line
ReplyDeleteThomas More is my 14th great grandfather according to Ancestry.com This is on my fathers side. . .from the US
ReplyDeleteSame here, Ancestry.com says he's my 16th Great Grandfather. kinda cool. I never did like that Henry Tudor anyway....
ReplyDeleteHe Is My 19Th Great Grandfather On My Father's Mother's Side. Ancestry.Com
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI descend from Sir Thomas More, starting with his paternal grandfather, as follows:
William More Esquire (died 1467)
is my 16th great grandfather
Sir John More (1451 - 1530)
son of William More Esquire
▽Sir Thomas More (1478 - 1535)
son of Sir John More
▽John More II (1509 - 1547)
son of Sir Thomas More
▽Thomas "The Younger" More III (1538 - 1606)
son of John More II
▽Thomas More (1568 - 1616)
son of Thomas "The Younger" More III
▽Alice More (1593 - 1628)
daughter of Thomas More
▽Thomas Vail (1620 - 1687)
son of Alice More
▽Samuel Vail (1654 - 1695)
son of Thomas Vail
▽Rev. John J. Vail (1685 - 1774)
son of Samuel Vail
▽Joseph Vail (1717 - 1804)
son of Rev. John J. Vail
▽Joseph "John" Vail (1741 - 1818)
son of Joseph Vail
▽James Vail (1796 - 1825)
son of Joseph "John" Vail
▽Solomon Vail (1825 - 1906)
son of James Vail
▽Merida Marlow Vail (1854 - 1925)
son of Solomon Vail
▽Byron Solomon Vail (1878 - 1949)
son of Merida Marlow Vail
▽Courtney Ballard "Bill" Vail (1911 - 1978)
son of Byron Solomon Vail
▽Dennis Michael "Mike" Vail (1940 - 1998)
son of Courtney Ballard "Bill" Vail
▽Douglas Micah Vail (born 1970)
the son of Dennis Michael "Mike" Vail
My father always told me that we were descendants of Sir Thomas Moore and I am linked by DNA to the names More and Vail, our family are Roman Catholic and my father was brought up in a monastery .
DeleteUnfortunately Ancestry has mistakes which lead some (especially in America)to believe that they are descended from Sir/St Thomas More when they are not. If you make such a claim, I can help. Contact me at mar-ter.wd@ntlworld.com
ReplyDelete[Martin Wood: Author "The Family and Descendants of St. Thomas More". Published in the UK. April 2008.
I thought I was a descendent of Sir Thomas More as well until Martin showed me I was incorrect. I never got an answer from Martin about DNA testing though. Have you had your DNA tested? If so I have done 23andme& AncestryDNA and would love to compae! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteMany comments from people claiming to be direct descendents of Thomas More, yet online genealogical charts say that there have been no direct descendents from the male OR female line since the late 18th century.
ReplyDeleteSome of the most used internet genealogy sites have led a number of people to believe that they are descended from Sir/St Thomas ore, when they are not.
ReplyDeleteThere are no early descendants who went to America.
The Vail line, fro0m which some claim descent is far from proved and has involved a good deal or name and place changes to make it look authentic.
Some claim descent from a John Moore who went to Virginia in 1620, but his English ancestry is unknown. He was most certainly not the son of Mary More (b.1553) and her husband Edward Moore/More who (beside five daughters)only had two sons, Henry and Thomas, both of whom became Jesuit priests. The claim that a Thomas More married a Martha Brookes is a pure fabrication.
Martin Wood
[Author: "The Family and Descendants of St Thomas More". Published in the UK. April 2008.]
Attention of Mr martin Wood, author of the book related to the descendants of st Thomas More.
ReplyDeleteMy Granbd grand mother, born Marie-Antoinette-Jeanne Onffroy de Verez used to relate the fact that we are descendants from Thomas More by claire Pike de Barbuth who married Pierre-Rolland Onffroy de Verez. can you tell me if any of these names is appearing in your research before I purchase youir book ?
My mother told me when I was young that sir Thomas more is my 5th great uncle or so and I have been trying to find others but I'm not sure if all of these people here are actually related since ansetery is not a good resource.
ReplyDeleteAfter researching myself, the late Martin Wood of England was correct on clear proof needed to connect the Vail line with Sir Thomas More. Martin Wood's prevailing book is well researched and countervails travails. Possibly an archive will surface, but to no avail so far. The Vail family did marry into the More and Moore families in England and America in the 16th and 17th centuries, but evidence is still vital for exact descent from any of the family of Sir Thomas More.
ReplyDeleteHe is a well missed author.
RIP
Douglas Micah Vail
My second cousin researched the Roper family tree. When tracing his father's family tree (Edward Roper) he discovered that the Roper's from Reading in Berkshire were decendents of William Roper and Margaret Moore (Sir Thomas's daughter). Does anyone have any info on the Moore-Roper anvestry ?
ReplyDeleteHi! Thomas More is my 14th-Great-Grandfather. I'm 16, and my grandfather, who is British (TM's 12th-great-grandson), found an old family tree in his childhood home when he was cleaning it out following his mother's death about 20 years ago and made this discovery. I don't have the full line right now, but I'll try to find it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post. I am new to tracing my ancestors so I can only go on snippets of info. I did contact my cousin but he didn't respond. The last piece of information I can find was that William and Margaret had 2 son's Thomas and Anthony. They both married and Thomas had 2 daughters who married so that was the last of the Roper name. Anthony married Lucy Cotton but I don't know if they had any children. There is a huge gap overy the centuries until you get to my Gt Grandfather Edward Roper who died in 1966.
ReplyDeleteI've been researching my family history and Sir Thomas More is my 16th great grandfather. I'm related to him by his son John More.
ReplyDeleteI've been researching my family history and Sir Thomas More is my 16th great grandfather. I'm related to him thru his son John More.
ReplyDeleteMy family genealogy shows that we too are from the More/Moore line. But I tend to be a bit skeptical, therefore will continue to research the lineage. Things that I do know is that a side of the family were very much into ministry of the Christian Faith in England and in America. Late 1500's (Eng) thru 1800's (USA)......so, anything is possible. Member of the Champion Family
ReplyDeleteI am James More, and my family thinks that we have relations with Sir Thomas More. I am also a male. What do you think? You think the descendants are still alive my last name is spelled More also, which is a peculiar thing. Tell me what you think. Thanks
ReplyDeleteJames More
I am also 17th great granddaughter of St. Thomas Moore. Would love to connect with other descendants! We have a lot to live up to! Crandy4711@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI am a 12th descendant to Christopher Cresacredit Moore, he was Sir Thomas Moores Grandson. :-)
ReplyDeleteI have been researching my maternal line and was given this list of grandparents which leadds back to Sir Thomas More. I have similar facial features to the paintings I have seen of him. Here is the list I was given. Thomas is the 15th great grandfather of Kathleen
ReplyDelete1. Kathleen is the daughter of Lillian (Cauldwell) Rogan [unknown confidence]
2. Lillian is the daughter of Vesta Elizabeth Ann Kinnear [unknown confidence]
3. Vesta is the daughter of Millicent Alberta (Noble) Kinnear [unknown confidence]
4. Millie is the daughter of Thomas Henry Noble [unknown confidence]
5. Thomas is the son of Hezekiah Noble [unknown confidence]
6. Hezekiah is the son of Thomas Smith Noble [unknown confidence]
7. Thomas is the son of Stephen Noble [unknown confidence]
8. Stephen is the son of Ruth (Church) Noble [confident]
9. Ruth is the daughter of Ruth Hitchcock [confident]
10. Ruth is the daughter of Elizabeth (Walker) Hitchcock [unknown confidence]
11. Elizabeth is the daughter of Elizabeth (Wheeler) Walker [unknown confidence]
12. Elizabeth is the daughter of Miriam (Hawley) Wheeler [unknown confidence]
13. Miriam is the daughter of Katherine (Booth) Hawley [unknown confidence]
14. Katherine is the daughter of Ann (Revel) Booth [confident]
15. Ann is the daughter of Ann More [unknown confidence]
16. Ann is the daughter of John More II [unknown confidence]
17. John is the son of Thomas More [unknown confidence]
This makes Thomas the 15th great grandfather of Kathleen.
kfnubbins1@gmail.com
I am not a descendent, just an admirer of this Catholic Saint and Martyr. And if his portrait is trustful, he was very cute too.
ReplyDeleteThis family tree from the 19th century shows descent from Thomas Moore, through Anthony Roper's daughter Isabel to Isabella Wiseman, wife of Sir Henry Bosville (d 1638), so (if true) all descendants of Sir Henry are descended from Thomas More
ReplyDeletehttps://books.google.ca/books?id=xqFfAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA15&lpg=PA15&dq=Sir+Thomas+Bosville+of+Little+Mote&source=bl&ots=zmYFkGCr-7&sig=ACfU3U2cKWri5VLAkJIWQVHMgNm2O3WcSw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjxkNGyoIziAhUIJDQIHbJMDA8Q6AEwAnoECAkQAQ#v=onepage&q=Sir%20Thomas%20Bosville%20of%20Little%20Mote&f=false
The brewer James Hinton Baverstock (my great^4 grandfather) commissioned the genealogy, and many of his descendants took the name Bosville.
My 15th great grandpa was Sir Richard Rich...mea culpa.
ReplyDelete