Index page for the ancestors of David Keene
In 2019, when he was seriously ill, David reflected on the fact that he knew virtually nothing abou, and had no photos of, his grandparents and beyond.: thus, in his hospital bed, so that at least his 5 grand daughters would not have the same blank about him. he spent 3 months writing an account of his life
Leaving the Arena, a story of Bar and Bench, was published in 2020.
This website (started 31/07/2022 . Site last updated 31/12/2022) will give these grand daughters more insight of their ancestors
If you would like to contact the owner of this site, please email chris@chrisgrant.eu
Click on a person in the above fanchart or click on their name below to read their life story
Paternal Side
David Wolfe Keene 1941 Q C & judge . . Edward Henry Wolfe Keene bank manager 1912-1987 . . .Archibald Douglas Wolfe Keene army 1885-1922 . . . Samuel Wolfe Keene corn merchant 1836-1903 . .. . William Charles Lever Keene barrister 1793-1843 . . . Samuel Keene solicitor 1764-1828
Mary Elizabeth Barry alias "May Barrett" wife of Archibald D W Keene 1890->1924 . . James Barry royal navy NCO ~1865-1914 . . Patrick Barry~1840-<1890 servant, coachman
Children of Archibald Keene & Mary E Barry
Children of Samuel Wolfe Keene
Mary Cronin wife of James Barry 1869-?1919?. . John Cronin carpenter ~ 1836- >1911
Children of James Barry & Mary Cronin
Jane Thomson1845-1907 2nd wife of Samuel W Keene 1845-1907 . . Andrew Thomson professor of music 1792-1860 . . Andrew Thomson snr ~ 1767-1814 . . likely John Thomson, musician
Charlotte Wolfe wife of William C L Keene ~1800-1850 . . maybe, but no proof!, Joseph Wolfe 1770-1835
Grace Lever wife of Samuel Keene snr 1765-1837
Isabella McKinley wife of Andrew Thomson 1809-1858 . . Alexander McKinlay tide waiter 1770s->1822 . Alexander McKinlay custom House Officer 1750s>1808
Mary Driscoll wife of Patrick Barry
Sarah Dickens wife of Joseph Wolfe 1770-1850
Mary McLea wife of Alexander McKinlay 1778->1822
Jannet Millarpwife of Andrew Thomson snr
Summary of the paternal ancestors :
The direct Keene line all came from around London, but Archibald Keene married a girl from Cork- so this quadrant presumably all Irish- and his father, Samuel W Keene married a girl from Glasgow. So 7( out of 16) Scottish ancesters here
Maternal Side
Lilian Marjorie Conway wife of Edward Keene 1915- 2000. . . Herbert Conway 1880 - 1918 mechanic .. Harry Conway omnibus driver1849-1922 . . . Charles Conway coachman ~1812-1893 . . Charles Conway snr stable keeper
Children of Herbert Conway and Annie Robb Thompson
Annie Robb Thompson wife of Herbert Conway 1876-1953 . . Mary Robb, single mother, 1852- 1928 . . . John Robb farm servant 1817-1874 . . . Charles Robb blacksmith . maybe 1779->1817
Jane Wise wife of Harry Conway 1855-1930 . . Edward Wise cow keeper 1826-1873 . . Thomas Wise cow keeper 1785-1850? . . William Wise
Caroline Cobb Preshus wife of Charles Conway jnr 1814 -1900 . . . William Cobb Preshus veterinary surgeon / farrier 1782-1820
David Gow, cited as father to illegitimate Annie Robb 1859-1921 . . William Gow agricultural labourer 1820-1892. . . Alexander Gow weaver crofter 1787-1864
Ann Robb wife of John Robb 1821-1883 . . . Thomas Robb ag. lab.1788-<1851
Janet Smith wife of Charles Robb ~1779->1817
Rebecca Dearling wife of William Cobb Preshus 1790~ -1848
Susan Paul wife of Edward Wise 1829-1906 . . William Paul Ag Labourer 1793-1867. . James Paul
Jane Spare cow keeper wife of Thomas Wise 1796-1857??
Martha Brown wife of William Paul 1796-1874
Betty McKenzie wife of William Gow 1833-1908 . . Alexander McKenzie Ag. Labourer 1804- 1880s
Helen Gow wife of Alexander Gow 17 -1855
Ann Melvill wife of Alexander McKenzie 1807-1881
Mary Coutts wife of Thomas Robb 1793-1874
Summary of the maternal ancestors :
Half of these- those of Annie Robb- were Scottish. The other half were mainly from around London, with the exception of Susan Paul who was born Dorset to Dorset parents , and Jane Spare who was born Essex
Thus David W Keene is roughly 3/8ths Scottish, 1/4 Irish and 3/8ths English
I wonder if his DNA confirms this!!!