William Shakespeare and Genealogy

William Shakespeare is one of the most famous men in history and we know lots about him. Or do we? We actually know very little about Shakespeare even though he was famous even in his own time. When we vex over our own ancestors in search of facts we should remember that this is normal – very little is known, for example, about Ben Johnson and Indigo Jones.

Elizabethans were also very free with their handwriting and with their spelling. There were numerous variations in individual letters of the alphabet, such as S looking like an L. While we worry about Burgum, Burgham and Burgon we should remember that even the great playwright William Shakespeare spelt his name Shagspere (marriage bond to Ann Hathaway), William Shakspere, William Shakspeare, Willm Shaksp, William Shakespe, and Wm Shakspe.

In fact, in sixteenth century England, 70% of men and 90% of women could not even write their name. However about 60% of skilled craftsmen could read.

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