Hello Colin I connect to Thomas Gainsborough 1669-1729 husband of Elizabeth Fenn as well, but can not make the connection between that Thomas and Thomas the painter. Can you help me out please? I also connect to the Varley family, also painters, in another part of the tree, but can't find the missing link there either! So frustrating! Many thanks John ________________________________ From: Colin Fenn <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, 17 July 2012, 15:49 Subject: Re: [SFK-UK] J.M.W. Turner, the painter Likewise, Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788) is normally associated with the portraits that he painted for the affluent who took the waters in Bath. But was raised in Sudbury and started his career there. (I came across him when I found that his uncle of the same name married Elizabeth Fenn, 1676-1753, daughter of John Fenn, a wealthy gentleman of Sudbury) Best regards, Colin Fenn London Mac and Marj McCulley <[email protected]> writes >Perhaps the word "distant"  is important! >There would be no reason for Turner  himself to have been born in or >have visited Suffolk if he was a distant cousin. >Your grandmother's claim may or may not be true but it could be  possible. >A lot of research to be done there. Good luck! >Marj. >----- Original Message ----- From: "Brenda" <[email protected]> >To: <[email protected]> >Sent: Tuesday, July 17, 2012 12:23 AM >Subject: [SFK-UK] J.M.W. Turner, the painter > > >> My grandmother, who was born a MORLING and married a COLEMAN (both >>with  Suffolk roots), told me that one of our distant cousins was >>J.M.W. Turner,  the painter.  I can find no record of Turner having >>lived in Suffolk,  Constable would have been more likely!  Is this >>just a family legend or  could it be based on truth?  The only Turner >>ancestor I have so far found  is Elizabeth TURNER, (1788 - 1858) born >>in Nayland who married George  ELLENGER (1791 - 1856), born in Great >>Glemham. My grandmothers' mother  was born an Ellenger. >> >> This posting is just on the off chance that someone can throw some >>light  on this.  Thank you. >> >> Brenda Stables >> >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >>[email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >>quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > -- Colin Fenn London ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message