WADBROOK STREET IN KINGSTON: A GENEALOGICAL CHALLENGE

The origin of the surname  “Wadbrook” is obscure.  It was found in Kingston upon Thames records as far back as 1660 and sometimes was associated with the malting industry.  There was a plethora of William Wadbrooksto consider.  Wadbrook Street in Kingston [KT1 1EY] was named after William Wadbrook, the elder, a prominent maltster who lived within walking distance of the street.  He was recorded in the 1851 Kingston Census, along with his son, William Wadbrook, the  younger, also a maltster,  and William Wadbrook, a Chelsea Pensioner, who appeared to be running a lodging house.  The latter’s grandson, Alfred  John Wadbrook, was the first of a line of travelling showmen. No persons with the surname “Wadbrook” were found in the 1871-1911 Kingston Censuses. Identification of a most recent common ancestor [MRCA] for the Kingston Wadbrooks is likely to be challenging.