Search for content in message boards

Re : Origin of Kemble name - English acting family and NJ Kembles

Re : Origin of Kemble name - English acting family and NJ Kembles

Posted: 22 Jan 2004 10:05PM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 23 Jan 2004 10:06AM GMT
Surnames: Kemble
I am a descendent of the famous English Kemble acting family. I have traced this family back to the 16th century and have posted my ged on ancestry.com. See: http://awt.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=:27473...
for some information in my tree on the origin of the Kemble name. This Kemble family were staunch catholics. The Hereferdshire Kembles, from whom the founder of the acting clan claimed descent, used a coat of arms with three leopards. Roger Kemble, the founder of the acting clan, obtained permission to use a similar coat of arms, even though he could not supply adequate documentary proof of descent from this family. There was a prominent NJ and Hudson Valley Kemble family descended from Peter Kemble of Mount Kemble NJ (Morris County), which also claimed descent from this Hereferdshire family and used the same Coat of Arms. Gouverneur Kemble, of the famed West Point Foundry, appears to have been a major source of this claim. He was a friend of Fanny Kemble (famous English acting Kemble) and had her convinced that they were distantly related. However, in the book by the NY Historical Society about this family, Gouverneur admits that he can't actually specifically trace the family back earlier than Peter's grandfather, an Assistant Alderman of London. Is there anyone out there who can trace this relationship or knows whether Gouverneur's claims were true? Does anyone know whether this Amercian Kemble family were adherents of the Catholic faith?

Re: Re : Origin of Kemble name - English acting family and NJ Kembles

Posted: 5 Jul 2008 7:05AM GMT
Classification: Query
I have always beleied I was a descendent from the Kemble acting family, but now wonder whether my branch is from one of Roger's siblings. Do you have the names of his siblings? I canot find a trace of George Kemble father of George Kemble born c1827 and thought I might try to work forwards. would appreciate any hellp you can give me
Thanks Rita King (Kemble)

Re: Re : Origin of Kemble name - English acting family and NJ Kembles

Posted: 5 Jul 2008 5:24PM GMT
Classification: Query
I am assuming you mean Roger Kemble (1721-1802). His father's name was, also, Roger. For his siblings see:
http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op...

Ralph Wood

Re: Re : Origin of Kemble name - English acting family and NJ Kembles

Posted: 6 Jul 2008 3:24AM GMT
Classification: Query
Thank you for replying so quickly.
We were brought up on stories of the Kemble acting family and how my father was had the true ‘Kemble likeness’ – nose, lips, stature. Although proud of their acting heritage my grandfather was particularly proud of Fanny Kemble and her social contribution. My aunts insisted we were directly related to Roger Kemble but, my father said he believed we were related, but not directly. How I wish I had listened more to their stories!
I have recently retired and felt now had time to confirm the truth, I am a newbie to genealogy and have a lot to learn but I can see my father was right. However having now started on the trail would like to carry on, I have traced the trail to my ggrandfather George, and from his marriage certificate in 1864 know he was born in 1827 in Bristol and that his father was called George, and that is as far as I can go – any suggestions?
Regards
Rita King

Re: Re : Origin of Kemble name - English acting family and NJ Kembles

Posted: 15 May 2013 6:09PM GMT
Classification: Query
I have some information about the actual forbears of Peter Kemble (NJ)which has been discovered in recent years - this confirms there is no relationship to the Fanny Kemble branch of the family. The Peter Kemble line is rooted in Gloucestershire, England, with a Richard Kemble (c.1500 - c.1565), and a series of descendents who were drapers (clothing trade). This has been confirmed by property lease records going back to 1540. With further work it may be possible to trace the family further back to 1300 or so. In the N.Y. Historical Society book(1874) entitled the "Kemble Papers", the grandfather of Peter Kemble was incorrectly surmised to be a Richard Kemble, Deputy Alderman of Bishopsgate Ward, London. However this has never been possible to prove and is mistaken. His grandfather was actually a Thomas Kemble, Draper, who lived from c.1625 to 1683(This has now been confirmed from a will and property records).

Re: Re : Origin of Kemble name - English acting family and NJ Kembles

Posted: 17 May 2013 8:19PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Kemble
This confirms what I have long suspected - in spite of family lore claiming the connection to the acting Kembles. I would love to see these records if they are available to share.

Re: Re : Origin of Kemble name - English acting family and NJ Kembles

Posted: 17 May 2013 10:03PM GMT
Classification: Query
The NJ line of Kembles originated from West England in the counties of Gloucester and Wiltshire, just to the north of Bristol. We have traced the line back to around 1500, but there is a good possibility that it can be traced further back to at least 1300.
Starting at about 1500 this seems to be the line up to when they were in NJ:
Richard Kemble (c.1500-c.1565)Leased (1540) Fiddington property in Gloucestershire (near Tewkesbury Abbey and Ashchurch). Lease was carried on through the family for about 300 years.

Christopher Kemble (c.1525-1574) Draper?
Christopher Kemble (c.1555-c.1615)Draper
Richard Kemble (1585-c.1600)Draper
Thomas Kemble (c.1625-1683)London, Draper
Richard Kemble (1666-1720)Mercantile trader, Smyrna
Peter Kemble (1704-1789) Went to New York c.1730. Settled and built a home at Mt. Kemble, NJ

Re: Re : Origin of Kemble name - English acting family and NJ Kembles

Posted: 25 May 2013 4:20AM GMT
Classification: Query
Hi,
See my posted reply dated May 17, 2013 re this issue.
I don't believe the NJ Kembles and the Fanny Kembles are related at all.
New research has determined the correct grandfather of Peter Kemble (NJ)(he was NOT the London Alderman), and this has enabled the genealogy to be extended back to about 1500. Maybe we can even get back to 1300.
Michael Kemble, Vancouver, Canada

Re: Re : Origin of Kemble name - English acting family and NJ Kembles

Posted: 25 May 2013 12:29PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Kemble
Actually there were 2 Kemble families in New Jersey. There was also the William Kemble family from Devonshire (who is my ancestor.) It was long thought that the William Kemble family was English.....however DNA has proven that we are descendants of Niall of the Nine Hostages, the Irish Warrior King. Now that's irony for you! From what I understand there was also a Kimble family from Germany in N.J. at the same time. Things aren't always what they seem in this work!
Kathryn E. Norman

Re: Re : Origin of Kemble name - English acting family and NJ Kembles

Posted: 25 May 2013 12:29PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Kemble
Actually there were 2 Kemble families in New Jersey. There was also the William Kemble family from Devonshire (who is my ancestor.) It was long thought that the William Kemble family was English.....however DNA has proven that we are descendants of Niall of the Nine Hostages, the Irish Warrior King. Now that's irony for you! From what I understand there was also a Kimble family from Germany in N.J. at the same time. Things aren't always what they seem in this work!
Kathryn E. Norman
per page

Find a board about a specific topic