I can trace my family name back to the beginning of the 1500s, and have Y-DNA confirmation of my paternal connection to the Steed family line. Nicholas Steade is my 11x great-grandfather and the earliest known direct ancestor I’ve found in my paternal family.

Nicholas, who was born around 1510, lived in Shimpling, a parish of Suffolk located to the north of Long Melford, close to Bury St Edmunds. Shimpling was mentioned in the Domesday Book, and archeological discoveries suggest people have been living there for thousands of years. The local Church of St George, has been standing since the 14th century, and has been restored over many years.

Nicholas had three children with Anne Reade: Anne, Joan and John. It’s John, born 1552, who is my 10x great-grandfather.

Nicholas died during the early part of Queen Elizabeth I’s reign, and his will which was proven on 20 November 1565, gives valuable information about him and his immediate family.

Describing himself as a yeoman, Nicholas left land and property, goods and chattels, to his wife and children. It was his wife who was the main beneficiary at the time of his death.

Nicholas and Anne’s three children were in line to inherit when they were of age, or on the daughter’s marriage if that was first. The age to inherit was 26 for his son and 21 for his daughters. However, when Nicholas died his daughters were only 16 and 18, and his son was 13. Under the conditions of the will, their inheritance was managed by their mother Anne and an appointed supervisor named Roger Martin until they came of age.

The following bequests were mentioned in the will:

• A house in Shimpling called called Essex
• Lands in Shimpling
• Leased grounds
• A house in Stansted called Bramptones
• Copyhold land in Stansted
• A counter table and large chest
• A brass hanging
• “Other goods and chattels”

In addition, Nicholas directed that his wife should pay an amount of 10 shillings to the poor of Shimpling each year for five years after his death. This benevolence suggests he was community-minded.

Nicholas was buried at the Church of St George in Shimpling. He was in his mid 50s.

Who is your earliest known ancestor?

Select references

Will of Nicholas Steade, proven 20 November 1565, Sudbury Archdeaconry Court Wills, Suffolk Archives, reference IC500/2/32/229.

‘Welcome to Shimpling Village’, Shimpling Parish Council, https://shimpling-pc.gov.uk/, accessed 31 July 2025.

‘Currency converter: 1270-2017’, The National Archives, https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/currency-converter/, accessed 30 July 2025.

‘Living in the 16th century’, The National Archives, https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/currency-converter/living-in-the-16th-century/, accessed 30 July 2025.