Actor Toby Jones recently became the latest celebrity to delve into his family’s rich and often surprising past on the BBC’s popular programme, “Who Do You Think You Are?”. Jones commenced his genealogical journey by travelling to Stoke, expressing a particular eagerness to learn more about his father’s lineage. He candidly admitted that, despite suspicions, the idea of his father having Indian heritage was something the family had always dismissed. Consequently, Jones was visibly stunned when his research confirmed that these long-held suspicions had, in fact, been absolutely spot on.
Tracing Indian Ancestry and an Unforeseen Connection
The initial discoveries for Toby Jones included learning that his great-grandfather had pursued a career as a saggar maker, a detail which provided a new focal point for his research. This specific finding led him to a significant meeting with Ben Miller, the curator of ceramics at a local museum. Their joint aim was to uncover further information regarding Toby’s family’s historical connection to pottery. During their discussion, a pivotal revelation emerged: Toby discovered that his great-great-grandfather had married a woman whose birthplace was India. This piece of information left the actor profoundly amazed, as it definitively proved his father’s intuition about his heritage had been entirely correct.
The conversation between Toby Jones and Ben Miller then took an even more personal and unexpected turn. Ben explained that he felt compelled to share another detail “at this point in time.” He recounted a visit to his mother, who continues to reside locally, during which she showed him a letter. This correspondence, originating from a TV production company, indicated their interest in researching the family history. Ben clarified that a particular “branch of her family was of interest to them.” He then declared directly to Toby, “So, we’re related.” Miller acknowledged the extraordinary nature of the situation, stating, “It’s quite the coincidence, I know, it really is.” He provided the specific familial link, identifying John and Jane as “also my mother’s great-great-grandparents.” This intricate connection, Ben elaborated, made him and Toby “third cousins once removed.” In response to this revelation, Toby extended his hand to Ben, light-heartedly joking that it was good to finally meet him, before articulating his profound surprise with, “That’s extraordinary!”
A Legacy of Theatrical Innovation
During another segment of the programme, Toby Jones spent time with his two brothers. Together, they embarked on the collective task of piecing together a family tree, drawing upon their shared memories of relatives and incorporating various old photographs. Jones, who is 59 years old, noted that a substantial portion of this initial genealogical effort focused on his mother’s lineage. It was through this exploration that he unearthed a remarkable family history: the presence of five generations of actresses, a line stretching back directly to his great-great-great-grandmother, Sarah Thorne.
Driven by an eagerness to uncover more about this pioneering ancestor, the actor, referred to as an “ITV star” in the source, journeyed to Margate. There, he learned that Sarah Thorne had held the esteemed position of theatre manager at the Theatre Royal Margate throughout the 1800s. In Margate, Toby met Hayley White, the individual currently overseeing the crucial efforts to restore the historic theatre. White presented Jones with a written interview that his three-times great-grandmother had given as far back as 1895. This valuable document revealed a significant historical fact: Sarah Thorne was the very first member of the family to grace the stage. Toby immersed himself in perusing reviews of Sarah’s various theatrical performances, gaining a deeper appreciation for her career.
As Toby delved further into the captivating narrative of Sarah Thorne’s life and career, he discovered a passage that indicated she had also established and operated a drama school. This particular finding prompted a detailed response from Hayley White. White confirmed their belief that “one of the first-ever UK drama schools was set up by Sarah Thorne, here, in this very theatre.” She further expounded on the profound significance of Thorne’s initiative. White explained that, until that specific point in time, the art of acting had largely been transmitted and taught informally within families. Consequently, Hayley asserted, “this is the first professionalism of acting and performances as a skill and as a career.” Toby Jones expressed his deep admiration for his ancestor, describing her as an “extraordinary woman.” He then articulated his surprise and interest, responding, “Wow. This is while she was the theatre manager here? How interesting.”
Toby Jones, the actor, had confessed that he knew more about one side of his family before embarking on his journey on “Who Do You Think You Are?”. His appearance on the show provided a comprehensive exploration, revealing both a previously dismissed heritage and a pioneering theatrical legacy.