Rose Ayling-Ellis, has captured the hearts of many in the entertainment industry. Best known for her pioneering role in EastEnders as the first deaf actor to play a regular character, Rose has continually broken barriers in a field often resistant to change. Following her electrifying win on “Strictly Come Dancing,“ she used her platform to advocate for the rights of Deaf individuals, striving for an inclusive world where every voice is heard. However, her most recent journey takes her beyond the bright lights of the stage and screen into the depths of her family history—a story waiting to be uncovered.

As she embarks on her episode of Who Do You Think You Are, viewers are treated to an emotional exploration of her ancestry. Rose’s excitement at learning about her family’s past is palpable. “I’m excited to find out the story about my family, and if there’s any drama, I like a bit of drama,“ she shares in the opening moments. Much of her motivation stems from a childhood filled with inquisitiveness and a thirst for knowledge, particularly about her roots.

Rose returns to her childhood home in Hythe, where she meets her mother, who still lives in the house where Rose was raised. As they sift through old photographs, Rose can’t help but smile at a particularly striking image of her great-grandmother, Gertrude. “She looks really big and strong, and apparently she used to own a pub” Rose remarks, likening her to a character in the Queen Vic.

As they delve deeper, her mother shares memories of family gatherings in Birmingham, painting a picture of a tight-knit family filled with laughter, stories, and a hint of mischief. The combination of history and personal anecdotes highlights the communal nature of their legacy—a shared past that binds generations.

The Search for Gertrude Chilton

Eager to uncover more about her great-grandmother Gertrude, Rose embarks on a journey to Birmingham to meet local historian Simon Briercliffe. “I really want to find out about this lady who is my great, great, great grandmother,“ Rose comments, her curiosity igniting the investigative spark within her.

Gertrude’s birth certificate reveals her parent’s names, Alfred and Agnes Chilton. Agnes Chilton, it turns out, was a woman who ran a pub alongside her husband. The revelation is exciting for Rose. As they continue their investigation, Simon reveals that while Alfred worked as a jeweller during the day, Agnes was the backbone of their pub, the Sandy Hill Tavern—an environment rife with the lively challenges of managing clientele and the demands of family life. In doing so, they shed light on how women often navigated societal expectations, stepping into roles that challenged the norms of their time.

Newspaper clippings reveal the boisterous lifestyle of the pub, with an undercurrent of drama that resonates with Rose’s own life onscreen. “It’s kind of like Eastenders at the Queen Victoria pub, everyone is slapping each other all the time in that pub. I chucked someone’s drink in their face. I feel like it’s in my blood” she says jokingly, drawing a parallel between her great-grandmother’s experiences and her Eastenders character as they dissect the incident. Rose admires Agnes’ fierceness. “I just like that she supported her husband even though he was drunk”.

Resilience: A Family Trait

As the episode unfolds, it becomes increasingly clear that resilience is a family trait. The research reveals turbulent times, particularly following Alfred’s early death from heart failure at the age of 48. Rose ponders what it would mean to be a widow in such challenging times, remarking on the strength Agnes must have had to maintain the pub afterwards. Designed as a quick stop on Rose’s journey of discovery, this moment speaks volumes about her ancestors’ endurance and perseverance against personal and societal challenges.

Delving into the life of her formidable three-times-great-grandmother, Agnes Chilton, Rose embarks on a discovery that reveals not just the difficulties faced by Agnes but also the remarkable ingenuity and tenacity that propelled her into a life of respectability. “I just find her absolutely fascinating,” Rose expresses as she navigates the narrative of Agnes—widow, entrepreneur, and a striking example of resilience amid societal constraints.

Following the untimely death of her first husband Alfred, Agnes’s move to the Aston Tavern marks a significant transformation in her life—a transition from struggle to opportunity. Rose’s conferring with historian Professor Julie Marie Strange provides valuable insights, shedding light on how Agnes secured this new and more respectable venue for her family. “For a woman running a pub, you can often be associated with immorality because you’re selling alcohol. So it’s quite morally risky. So she has to be a really astute, shrewd businesswoman,” Professor Strange emphasises, illustrating the precarious balance that widows often had to maintain in terms of societal perception.

This new chapter in Agnes’s life showcases her business mind; she harnessed her husband’s life insurance payout to elevate herself economically. “Agnes probably got a payout from his life insurance, which would have helped her financially make that leap,” Strange explains. This revelation is a testament to Agnes’s ability to adapt in the face of tragedy—a thread woven into Rose’s own life story as she triumphs over her challenges in the entertainment industry.

A New Partnership and More Challenges

However, Agnes’s life would take another emotional turn as she decided to remarry. At the age of 50, she wed Thomas George Harris—“a canny woman,” as Professor Strange so aptly puts it. Yet this new marriage in the wake of past losses showcases another layer of complexity to Agnes’s life decisions. They were both recently widowed, which often mounted shared experiences of loss and grief. Rose admires Agnes for this move, saying, “I like her,” appreciating the audacity and practicality that comes with such a choice.

The fabric of family dynamics, particularly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, was not always black and white. Marriages, particularly in lower-income settings, often served as partnerships for both emotional and financial stability. Professor Strange says that “it could have been a business decision” for Agnes—a calculated step to uphold her establishment’s respectability. Her actions further amplify her role as a resourceful architect of her own future, reflecting traits that Rose resonates with deeply.

Amidst the challenges of running her establishment, Agnes leaned heavily into her social acumen. “She’s using the pub in really strategic ways,” Professor Strange notes, illustrating how Agnes created a warm community hub through events like singalongs and even running “pub teams” that competed in leagues. She utilised her pub as a means not simply for selling drinks but as a space for fostering community bonds, reflecting an innovative approach that extended beyond traditional boundaries.

“I like that she’s sociable,” Rose shares, her admiration evident. “She’s a feminist; she’s a businesswoman.” In those words, Rose captures the essence of Agnes—a woman caught in the tempest of her time yet poised to seize her destiny. As a mother of six, Agnes epitomised the demanding duality of life during that era: she raised children, managed a business, and upheld a moral standing that showcased strength—a lineage of womanhood that significantly informs Rose’s narrative.

Resilience in the Face of Tragedy

The narrative takes a sombre turn with the revelation that Thomas died unexpectedly at the young age of 46, leaving Agnes once again a widow. It evokes a wave of empathy within Rose, who reflects on Agnes’s profound resilience. “I feel very privileged to learn so much about this woman,” she remarks, visibly moved by the multiple hardships Agnes faced. “I feel like it must be very difficult to cope with two deaths of her husbands.”

However, rather than succumbing to despair, Agnes’s life reflects a determination to rise above her circumstances. Upon Thomas’s death, she channels her grief into further opportunities. The substantial inheritance of £1,500 left to her after her second husband’s passing becomes a catalyst for growth, leading to her application to expand the Aston Tavern’s premises. Rose exclaims, “She’s still making a plan. I mean after her husband died, she obviously had not been upset all day long.” The juxtaposition of grief and determination is what elevates Agnes’s story from one of mere survival to that of thriving against the odds.

“Out of tragedy, she got the money—so her plan worked,” Rose observes, recognising the trailblazing spirit that characterises her great-grandmother’s life. This reflection reinforces the belief that adversity and empowerment often walk hand in hand, knitting a complex yet beautiful fabric of human experience.

The Aston Tavern, where Agnes cultivated a thriving community hub, stands as a testament to her life and legacy. After years of changes, the pub undergoes rejuvenation, and its rich history is honoured by modern custodians who acknowledge the figures of the past. One such tribute is the naming of hotel bedrooms after past landlords, including Agnes herself. “I would love to see the bedroom,” Rose muses, evoking a heartfelt connection to her ancestor in the physical space she once called home.

As Rose raises her glass in tribute to Agnes, saying, “To Agnes, I just want to say cheers and thank you,” the emotional ties that bind past and present resonate powerfully. Agnes’s hardships laid the groundwork for Rose’s own triumphs; as she reflects on the sacrifices made by the women who came before her, it crystallises into further resolve to continue breaking societal barriers. “It’s not about her husband. It’s about herself and what she wanted to be,” she states passionately.

Uncovering the Italian Connection

With Agnes’s story providing a robust foundation, Rose shifts her focus towards another branch of her family tree—her father’s side. Travelling to Somerset, she reunites with her father, Ben and grandmother, Pam. Rose hopes to unearth the roots of her grandfather, Gerry, and potentially trace the Italian ancestry long rumoured in her family.

“The most significant thing is that my dad came from such a large family,“ she shares, gesturing toward a faded photograph of her father surrounded by his siblings. She recounts the story of Rose’s great-great-grandparents, James and Ada, who had 17 children, although two tragically died in infancy. James, a railway worker, lost his hand in a work-related accident, a fact that casts a shadow over the family’s narrative yet underscores their resilience in the face of adversity. Her grandmother recalls how James wore a glove to conceal his hook. “They were very, very poor,” she states solemnly, recounting how the family had to squat in a house on Gladstone Road, living in constant fear of discovery, unable to light candles lest their presence be revealed.

Transitioning to the other side of the family, the conversation shifts to Rose’s Paternal grandfather Gerry and the intriguing notion of an Italian heritage. “There was definitely an Italian connection,” her grandmother reveals, sparking excitement in Rose as she listens intently. The family name, originally “Leone,“ was anglicized to “Lyons,” hinting at a rich cultural legacy that stretches back across generations. As her grandmother shares these details—such as the ambiguous origins of Rose’s great-great-grandmother—Rose feels a profound connection to her ancestry. The captivating blend of stories woven through her family’s history leaves her eager to delve deeper, igniting a sense of purpose to explore and reclaim the narratives that define her lineage.

Rose goes to the Museum of the Great Western Railway in Swindon, where she meets historian Dr. Mike Esester to uncover the story of her great-great-grandfather, James Welland. Rose shows him the photo of James, noting the detail of the absence of one of his hands. Dr. Esester provides Rose with a detailed account of James’s accident, which occurred when he was just 19 years old.

“When he put his hand out, one of his hands was completely crushed,“ Dr. Esester explains. The scene is graphic, detailing how James was knocked down by a train. The dangerous working conditions endemic to the railway industry at that time becomes apparent, as Dr. Esester notes that “in 1899, over 16,000 railway workers were injured or killed whilst at work.”

Rose is visibly moved, reflecting on the implications of such a life-altering event for someone so young. “I’ve found some answers to my great, great grandfather, about what happened to his hand, it has made me realise that I’ve got a disabled person in my family, and made me think about what it’s like for him at 19 years old to go to work feel like you’ve got a great job and you lose your hand. How do you cope with that?”

Despite his harrowing accident, James faced additional challenges, particularly concerning compensation for his injury. Dr. Esester reveals that James attempted to claim £250 under the Workman’s Compensation Act—a substantial amount for the time but ultimately unrealised due to resistance from the Great Western Railway. “Well, they couldn’t or they wouldn’t agree to it.,“ Dr. Esester admits, highlighting the struggle workers faced in the burgeoning industrial age when oversight and safety nets were minimal.

Searching for Stability in a Turbulent World

Rose’s journey leads her to the broader struggles faced by his family in Exeter. Meeting historian Dr. Eve Worth, Rose gains insights into the economic conditions surrounding her great-great-grandparents and their burgeoning family. Dr. Worth presents a snapshot of James’s life, which involved a modest existence as a porter—“not a very secure, very well-paid job at all,” she notes.

Their home life is revealed to encompass considerable hardships, living in a slum area marked for clearance. Rose learns how precarious their situation became, particularly as the looming threat of eviction hovered over them due to their large family size. “There were 17 children,” Dr. Worth explains, providing a stark representation of the challenges faced by working-class families during this period.

Discovering that the local Board of Guardians had deliberated on James’s family’s dire situation, Rose is struck by how profoundly social structures affected their lives. A poignant moment occurs as it becomes clear that after years of instability, they were placed in temporary accommodation connected to a workhouse, leading to a sense of discomfort and shame. “They had to pay rent, but it was a very unusual situation,” Dr. Worth explains, revealing the stigmas and hardships attached to their living conditions.

Despite the struggles, the Welland family exhibited a strong fight for preservation against the odds. “James and Ada had a lot of fight in them to keep the family together,“ Dr. Worth emphasises, summoning an image of resilience that resonates with Rose. They sought stability not just for themselves, but for their children, refusing to succumb to societal pressures and discrimination.

Discovering a local newspaper detailing complaints about the Welland children’s lively play, Rose comments “I find it interesting that they wanted to justify kicking them out,” as she reflects on how underlying biases towards working-class families often clouded perspectives. It’s evident that James and Ada, much like Rose’s other ancestors, embodied a spirit of grit that wove through the fabric of their lives. Their relentless spirit serves as an inspiration, culminating in them eventually being awarded a council house—a victory amidst the backdrop of hardship.

“Finally, they get a decent council house,” Dr. Worth reveals, showcasing a photograph of the typical inter-war council home. This marks a critical transition point not only for James Welland but also for generations to come. Rose expresses relief in knowing the family found more stable living conditions: “I would love to have met up with all the children together. I can’t imagine what it’s like to have 16 brothers and sisters.”

With her newfound knowledge, Rose is keen to share this with her grandmother, Pam, noting the stories she grew up hearing but did not fully understand. As she prepares for the next chapter in her exploration, Rose shifts her focus to the tantalising Italian connection hinted at on her grandfather’s side.

The Search for Italian Ancestry

Rose is on a quest to unearth her family’s Italian roots, following whispers of an Italian heritage that resides in her grandfather Jerry’s lineage. Meeting genealogist Lucy Brown, she discusses the intriguing notion that her great-grandfather Harry Ellis’s side of the family once bore an Italian name, which was eventually anglicised to ‘Lyon’. “Can you help me find out if this is true?” Rose asks with hopeful enthusiasm.

Lucy presents Rose with a pivotal document: the birth certificate of her great-great-grandmother, Louisa Ellen. Born in 1869, Louisa’s roots can be traced back to Exeter, with her mother, Mary, and her father, Joseph. It’s when Lucy reveals Joseph’s middle name—Pasquel—that the puzzle pieces begin falling into place. “That middle name doesn’t sound very English,“ Rose remarks, piquing her curiosity.

Then, Lucy unveils something truly exciting—a photograph of Joseph, Rose’s great-great-grandfather. The investigation comes into focus as Lucy emphasises the importance of examining Joseph’s birth certificate to uncover where exactly his lineage originated.

They discover that Joseph Pasquel was originally from South Molton, a little market town in Devon, England. As Rose delves deeper with Lucy’s guidance, it becomes evident that while her immediate ancestors were born in Devon, the real Italian connection might lie further up the family tree in the form of Pasquel Lyons, her four-times-great-grandfather.

This exciting leg of her journey takes Rose to South Molton itself, where the lush countryside whets her appetite for discovery. “It’s just beautiful around here,” she exclaims, marvelling at the landscape as she prepares to explore the truth behind her Italian ancestry.

Meeting historian Dr. Oscar Jenson in South Molton, Rose learns that her four-times-great-grandfather, Pasquel Lyons, was indeed born in Italy. The revelation sparks a passionate cry of joy: “He is Italian!” she affirms, her spirit buoyed by this newfound connection. Yet, the mysteries surrounding his journey to England remain. “When did he come to England?” Rose inquires – Dr. Jenson explains that Pasquel likely migrated to England around the end of the Napoleonic Wars, a time when travel became more accessible. However, details about his exact origins in Italy or the circumstances of his arrival are elusive. The small population of foreigners living in South Molton at the time signifies Pasquel’s likelihood as one of only a few Italian immigrants in the area.

Dr. Jenson reveals that Pasquel settled and began working as a hawker, selling goods as he moved through the countryside, eventually specialising in jewellery. “This is fascinating!” Rose enthuses, realising her ancestor was adept at navigating a realm rife with challenges.

But the story takes a dramatic turn when they uncover records revealing that Pasquel, now an established jeweller, faced challenging situations in his trade, including theft. Rose learns more about her great-great-grandfather’s journey as Dr. Jenson presents her with a peddler’s certificate, a document that legitimises Pasquel’s travels and trade. Rose anticipates, “He had permission to sell jewellery wherever,” exemplifying the spirit of entrepreneurship that seemed to flow from their Italian roots.

A Life Well Lived

Through concerted research, they discovered that Pasquel lived a long life, passing away at the age of 82. His final resting place? An idyllic setting in Dulverton, far removed from the bustling market towns but a poetic end to a travelling life. “He just kept passing through until the end,“ Rose smiles, captivated by the romantic notion of her great-great-grandfather’s saga.

The conversation shifts to the emotional weight of these discoveries as Rose reflects on how this knowledge humanises her ancestors. “When you hear their story, it makes them all very real,“ she observes, a realisation that deepens her appreciation not only for her ancestors but also for the life she currently leads.

As Rose contemplates her journey of discovery, she also contemplates her narrative’s future. Understanding the struggles and resilience of those who came before her, she embraces the legacy they left behind. With newfound pride, Rose concludes, “The life that I have at the moment will become a story one day for generations to come.” Her reflections embody the sentiment that each life story contributes to the greater tapestry of family history.

Inspired by the challenges faced by her great-great-grandparents James and Agnes as well as her Italian forebear, Rose feels a surge of purpose wash over her. “I love the history and looking to my family tree, because when you hear their stories, it makes them all very real, and very human. So my life that I have at the moment will become a story one day for a generation to come. And me hearing their story inspires me, hoping that my story would be incredible for whoever is in my family tree for the future.”