Ely Ancestor Search

Do you have ancestors that originated or lived in the Ely area that you are trying to trace? Try our free ancestor search service. Simply email your details to us and we will add them to this page to see if anyone local can provide any information.

Latest requests:

Added 4th August 2026:

Name: Jeanette Leitner
E-Mail: Click Here

Message: Dear Ladies and Sirs,

I am doing family research and found out that my grandfather was POW in camp 26, which according to the information I could find was located in Barton Field, Ely.
Do you have something about the history of the camp in your archive? I am interested in anything that you might have, POW camp news, how was camp life, when were Sudeten Germans released and where?
I would of course also be interested in information about my grandfather in special. Do you know where I can find something?

I would be very glad if you could help me finding out more about my grandfather’s past.

Many thanks, yours sincerely,
Jeanette Leitner

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Added 20th May 2026:

Name: Coralyn Anne Cowin
E-Mail: Click Here

Message: Hi there, I have been trying for years to find more information on Thomas Ely born about 1809 in Nottinghamshire and Maria nee Walker born about 1805 in Grreasley, Nottinghamshire. They married 24th May 1831 Readford, Norringham, England. Thomas is my 3rd Great Grandfather.
Hopeing that you can help us all as we have been searching for years.

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Added 30th April 2026:

Name: Alan Bennett
E-Mail: Click Here

Message: Hello. I’m trying to find any further information about my grandad, William Bennett. What i know. He was born in 1915 (not sure where), married Ivy Maud Missin in 1940. Prior to his marriage he lived on Ditton Lane, Fen Ditton with a Gordon and Martha Bennett, though there was also an Isaac and Mary Bennett on Green End in Fen Ditton. Any information would be appreciated. Thankyou.

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Added 17th August 2025:

Name: Valerie Homan
E-Mail: Click Here

Message: Hello, I am trying to trace the wife of Dennis Walton born in 1748 in Downham to Thomas and Mary Holmes. I believe her name is Susanney/Susan Purver/Parver born about 1749. They were married in Ely on 03/10/1773 at St Mary’s and had 2 children Dennis and Thomas. Thanks for any help, Val

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Added 8th August 2025:

Name: Vaughan Cullen
E-Mail: Click Here

Message: Hi, My grandfather joined up with the Hunts cyclists in 1914 and one of his mates in C coy. who he had gone to school with was named Sidney Charles Capp. After the war Sidney made his life in Ely and I can see in the directories that Capp descendants still live there and would like an email contact so as to swap information & photos . My grandfather immigrated to NZ after the war.

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Added 26th June 2025:

Name: David Sparrow
E-Mail: Click Here

Message: Sparrow family in Ely in 1700-1800’s.
Trying to trace Mathew Sparrow, – Brickmaker in Ely maybe born outside Ely?(B.1806 D 1898).
1st wife Susan Allen (1811-1846) M. at St Mary’s church, Ely.
They had 5 children: John, William, James , Mathew & Mary

2nd wife M. 1852: Rebekah. Sindel (1827-1918). They had 7 children: Emma, Sarah, Charles, Herbert, Helen, Frederic & George
Rebekah’s sister Salina Sindal, Father was John Sindel & Mother Mary (Burton).

Any information on Mathew appreciated, been trying for years to get back further with no luck! Couple of sons also Brickmakers
From census – Mathew Resided: Ely Holy Trinity (1851), St. Andrew The Less (1871) & Chesterton (1881) & died in Chesterton 1898

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Added 25th August 2024:

Name: Anna Walsh
E-Mail: Click Here

Message: I know this is a really long shot but I am looking for relatives who live in Ely. My family were the Starkey family and lived in Ely and Haddenham. From working through Ancestry.com I know there are two cousins who may be still in the area. Garry and Ian Bethell. I live in the US but will be visiting the Ely area in a couple of weeks. I would love to make contact with my relatives if at all possible but I have come to a brick wall. If you know of any ways I could pursue my search please point me in the right direction. Thanking you in advance.

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Added 20th August 2024:

Name: Grant Cornwell
E-Mail: Click Here

Message: Hi,

My mum was evacuated from the East End of London to Ely during WW2 and remembers being billeted with a lovely couple call Percy & Polly Adams. Mum remembers that she stayed with Mr & Mrs Adams on a farm, which was directly opposite a pond where children use to skate when it was frozen over.

I would really like to try and find the name of the farm where mum stayed. I checked the 1939 registration on MyHeritage and think I may have found Mr & Mrs Adams, though in the records they are Charles (Percival) and Mary Adams. But sadly it gives no details regarding the farm name. I know its a long shot but I wondered if anyone on this site might be able to offer me some assistance,

Mum is now 92 years but remembers her time with the Adams with such fondest and can still recall the smell of baking apples from Polly kitchen. Sadly mum had to leave the Adams when one of their daughters came back home tp live after marrying a Canadian soldier.

Any help would be much appreciated and gratefully received.

Many thanks

Grant Cornwell

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Added 28th August 2023:

Name: James
E-Mail: Click Here

Message: I am trying to find out some information about my Great grandmother who was born Mary Ann Young in or around Mepal
Also does anyone know of any existence of the Bregan family of the same area? The Blackman family also are of interest to me from the same area.
Many thanks – James

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Added 5th April 2023:

Name: Ruth Abou Rached
E-Mail: Click Here

Message: I am trying to find out more about Jack Mann and Dorothy Mann, née Peacock.

Jack was born in March 1921 in Soham and lived in The Bungalows until he went into the army in World War 2. He was a Sergeant by 1940. He unfortunately passed on in June 1997. Jack Mann married Dorothy Peacock (now Mann) in December 1940. She was working in a jam factory when she got married. Dorothy was born in March 1922, and could still be alive to this day, and/or her children too. If you know of anyone of the older generation from the town who may know anything, please do let me know.

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Added 8th November 2022:

Name: Terry Covill
E-Mail: Click Here

Message: I’d be interested in any information of my family name Covill. I see that there is a Covill on the war memorial plaque on the market square that has a Covill on it. I know my paternal grandfather and family were living around Lode, Stow cum Quy and possibly Reach area around the 1920s. I still consider myself a fenman even though I crossed the border into the Norfolk fens!

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Added 7th September 2022:

Name: Michael Smith
E-Mail: mrmhsmith@gmail.com

Message: Hello,
I am hoping to solve a long-standing family mystery and hope there is someone in Ely who can help. My 9th great grandfather, Nehemiah Smith, arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1637. We have plenty of documentation about his life and his descendants. Unfortunately, a fire destroyed all records of his origins in England. We know Nehemiah was born around 1605 and had a brother, John, who had property seized during the Civil War in the 1640s. Needless to say, there are a number of John Smiths who had land seized and I am trying to contact people from each place I find to see if there are any mentions of Nehemiah Smith in town records or local parishes.

I came across a record that states that John Smith, of Ely, had land sequestrated and lists two dates, 11 July and 3 November, both from 1645. Can you tell me of any local records from that time period that might be available? Again, I am just trying to find any mention of Nehemiah Smith. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you. Michael Hall Smith

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Added 20th July 2021:

Name: Coralyn Cowin
E-Mail: coralyn@planetozi.com.au

Message: Hi there, I am not sure if this is to do with the town of Ely.,
I am looking for a Thomas Ely who married Maria Walker on 24th May 1831 at Radford Nottingham.
They had two children that I can find George John Ely abt 1835 and Thomas 1832.
Both of these surnames are a dead end for me.
Hoping that there might be some information coming forward.
Bye for now
Coralyn

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Added 26th November 2019:

Name: Meagan
E-Mail: meaganmarton1@gmail.com

Message: Good evening, I am helping a friend search for someone and was wondering if you could help us.

The gentleman’s name is Peter Charles Pape and we are thinking he may live in Ely.

We don’t have too much information on him but he may be in his 80’s

Would you know of any way we can ask through this page?

Kindest regards, Meagan

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Added 5th April 2019:

Name: Mark Van Alstyne
E-Mail: markvanal@gmail.com

Message: Hello. I’m trying to find out any information about my great great grandmother and family who came from Ely. Her name was Jane Ward. I think her fathers name was Thomas. She was born January 25, 1821. I’m trying to trace her female line. Any information would be greatly appreciated

Sincerely
Mark Van Alstyne

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Added 5th Feb. 2018:

Name: Susan Harrington
E-Mail: sharringnatick@gmail.com

Message: Hello, My great grandmother worked as a servant in 1910 at the St John’s Manor house in Ely. I am looking to find out who she worked for. her name was Rachel Roberts. The name we got was Runciman, yet the based on census from 1910, the Runciman’s live on Station Road in Ely. Her husband also worked there – Arthur Brown. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Sue Harrington

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Added 24th Jan. 2018:

Name: Helen Naylor
E-Mail: naylor.helen@gmail.com

Message: Trying to trace relatives of Rodney George Ainger, son of Norma and George. Particularly Julie Cole nee Ainger .

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Added 8th June 2017:

Name: Melanie Walkenbach
E-Mail: melanie.walkenbach@web.de
Subject: Paul Steffen from Germany

Message: Hi there, my husband, Karl Walkenbach nee Steffen, is looking for the relatives of Paul Steffen, his uncle, who was a POW in Ely, stayed in town after the war, got married with at leas two kids and used to work as a butcher. His German family has lost contact to those relatives and tries to find them.

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Added 17th May 2017:

Name: Carly Sandoe
E-Mail: cesandoe@gmail.com
Subject: Joseph Rushbrooke b 1799, Publican of the Cromwell Arms House

Message: Please contact me by email or Ancestry (username AncestryCESB) to connect. Joseph was born in Great Yarmouth and married thrice (with some children emigrating to America). He was the Publican of a brewery located in the Oliver Cromwell house during the 1840-1870s and died an inmate in the Ely Union Workhouse in 1879. I’m seeking information on his parents, possibly Joseph Rushbrook b 1776 (?) & Leah Dearsley b 1771 of Ashill, Norfolk.

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Added 6th Feb. 2017:

Name: Holly Willits Peterson
E-Mail: holleypeterson@hotmail.com
Subject: Ancestor Search

Message: Hello, have recently learned we are descended from one Andrew Willets, b. 1562 in Ely – would anyone be familiar with this family? His son Richard emigrated to New Amsterdam where the name became Willits. Would appreciate any local information. Thank you!

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Added 31st Dec. 2016:
Name: Kyrin singleton
E-Mail: kyrinsingleton@internet.com
Subject: Information about My paternal grandmother

Message: Can anyone help me. All I know is that my grandmother, Louise Loftus, was related to The Marquess of Ely. Her son was Guy Selby Singleton (deceased). She died in the 1940s.