Richard and Mary (Rippon) Brooks – Using DNA to solve family history ‘brickwalls’ and the path to George Warren.

Can you help us fill in some of the gaps?

The family of George Warren have undertaken a fascinating process, using DNA, which has traced their family back to Richard Brooks in Hickling – follow how they did this on this link.

In the 1881 Census we have a record for the family of Richard and Mary Brooks; by the time of the 1891 Census, they have four daughters but they have gone their separate ways and Mary and her daughters are living alone.

We are trying to find out what happened to both Richard and Mary.

Mary was born in Hickling – she was a member of the Rippin (Rippen/Rippon) family and several related households of this name can be found in Hickling and Kinoulton from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. The 1881 census seems to place Richard & Mary Brooks close to her parents and close to the canal.

Richard Brooks was born in Enfield and was recorded as a boatman – working on the canals may explain how he came to be in Hickling. After leaving Hickling, he started a new family under the name of George Warren, living close to the canals in Runcorn in Cheshire.

Can you help?

The family of Richard Brooks are keen to know what happened to Mary and their daughters; particularly Mary. She seems to have moved to Upper Broughton, living in the household of William Allen but we haven’t been able to find a burial record for her. Any information about any of these three families would be much appreciated!