Celebrated author Kate Atkinson, best known for her intricately plotted novels, recently uncovered unexpected twists in her own family history—ones that rival the surprises in her fiction. The discoveries, made during genealogical research commissioned for her 70th birthday, revealed significant gaps in what she thought she knew about her ancestry.
Atkinson grew up believing that her paternal grandfather had died in the Bentley Colliery disaster of 1931, a methane explosion that claimed the lives of 45 miners. This tragedy held deep personal meaning for her; she had visited the gravesite where miners were interred alongside their closest friends. However, genealogical findings revealed that the man she thought was her grandfather was not biologically related to her. His name was missing from her father’s birth certificate, and his only surviving photograph bore no resemblance to her family.
This discovery left Atkinson unsure of her paternal grandfather’s identity. Reflecting on the revelation, she noted the universal human need to “reach back into the past” and connect with ancestors, a sentiment familiar to many family history enthusiasts.
The twists in her family history didn’t stop there. At the age of 36, Atkinson learned that she herself was born illegitimate. Her parents married two years after her birth due to delays in her mother’s divorce from a wartime marriage. Atkinson described how her mother’s first husband had agreed to the divorce only to gain permission to emigrate to Australia. Remarkably, everyone in her family knew these circumstances but chose not to share them with her until much later in life.
These personal discoveries have deepened Atkinson’s fascination with genealogy and history. She expressed admiration for the complexity of ordinary lives, observing that almost everyone has a hidden story in their family tree. “History,” she said, “is the story of people.”
Her insights offer a powerful reminder: family history is not just about names and dates but about understanding the stories and lives that shaped us. Modern tools like DNA testing have truly revolutionised this process, enabling researchers to uncover long-hidden secrets about ancestry and familial connections. These tests can reveal previously unknown relatives, confirm or challenge family lore, and provide clarity on ethnic origins. However, they can also raise unexpected questions, as in Atkinson’s case, challenging established family narratives and revealing surprises that prompt further investigation.
For those delving into genealogy, DNA testing is a potent tool that not only deepens our connection to the past but also provides a clearer picture of who we are today.
Image Source:
- Photo by Jess Bailey: instant images
