Behind The Scenes
Three key records from the Whitehalls’ episode
For the first time in the show’s history, two generations appeared together – the comedian Jack Whitehall and his father Michael. They focused on their orphan ancestor, Richard Ernest Baxter Whitehall (REB), and Welsh forebear Thomas Jones Phillips
1881 Census
The document that revealed REB wasn’t living with his family was the 1881 census. This showed that he was a pupil at the Commercial Travellers’ School in Pinner, Middlesex. Census records can be found on the subscription websites Ancestry, Findmypast and TheGenealogist. There are also free indexes on FamilySearch – REB’s 1881 census entry appears at familysearch.org/ ark:/61903/1:1: Q27Z-ZW8K.
Probate Records 1858 Post
The probate record of REB’s cousin, Charles Bowker Worsey, showed where REB inherited his wealth from: he was an executor of Charles’ will. The index for probate records between 1858 and 1996 can be searched for free at probatesearch.service. gov.uk/#wills. We found Charles’ entry in 1938 – he died on 14 September 1937.
Welsh Newspapers Database
Thomas Jones Phillips was from Monmouthshire and involved in the political incidents that occurred after the 1832 Great Reform Act. Jack was horrified to learn that he was instrumental in suppressing the
Chartist Rising in Newport in
1839. Details of the rebellion were in the Welsh
Newspaper
Database, which can be searched and viewed for free at newspapers. library.wales.