Exley Family History
Navigation
- Family Tree — interactive graphical family tree
- Source Index — master list of all sources
- Timeline — chronological overview
- Pedigree Connections — how the pedigree sheets link
- NZ Branch — the New Zealand emigration story
- Open Questions and Discrepancies — date conflicts, identity disputes, and undocumented gaps
- Medieval Pedigree Comparison — side-by-side comparison of Victor’s and NZ routes
- Historical Context — Poll Tax, wool trade, Civil War, emigration, tramways
Direct Line to Andrew (Victor’s Route)
William de Dewsbury (c.1245) > William de Ecclesley (c.1270) > John Exley (c.1320) > John Exley (c.1379) > John Exley (c.1404) > John Exley (c.1420) > Robert Exley (c.1450) > John Exley (c.1470) > Richard Exley (c.1500) > Robert Exley (c.1518) > Francis Exley (c.1539) > John Exley (m. Eliz. Tonge, 1555) > Robert Exley (m. Mary Lister, 1588) / Robert Exley of Halifax (d.1647) > Samuel Exley of Manningham (d.1673) > Samuel Exley of Rawdon (1630-1675) > John Exley of Rawdon (1651-1721) > Robert Exley of High Royds (b.1686) > Thomas Exley of High Royds (1732-1807) > Robert Exley (1787-1867) > William Exley of Croft House (1818-1898) > Albert Edwin Exley (1852-1918) > Albert Errington Exley (1881-1956) > Lionel Edward Exley (1906-1995) > John Edward Exley (b.1945) > Andrew Exley (b.1973)
Alternative Early Line (NZ Pedigree Route)
William de Dewsbury (c.1245) > Richard de Ecclesley (liv. 1277) > William de Ecclesley (liv. 1284) > Richard de Ecclesley (killed 1317) > (name missing) > Robert of Exley Hall (liv. 1424) > Robert of Bankhouse (liv. 1456) > James of Wortley (liv. 1481) > Thomas Exley (liv. 1501) > James Exley (liv. 1516) > Thomas Exley (d. 1553) > John Exley (m. Eliz. Tonge, 1555) > (same from here)
See also: Swaina de Ecclesley > Hugh de Ecclesley (liv. 1250) > Henry of Ecclesley Hall (a parallel Ecclesley family connected by property)
Key Places
- Exley Hall, Southowram — ancestral seat, c.1245
- Rawdon, Yorkshire — branch established c.1630
- High Royds, Rawdon — cloth-making property from c.1731
- Halifax, Yorkshire — parish records
- Manningham, Yorkshire — worsted spinning centre
- Guiseley, Yorkshire — Harper family connections
- Croft House, Yorkshire — pre-emigration home
- Wellington, New Zealand — post-emigration home
- Wanganui, New Zealand — first NZ settlement
- Blenheim, New Zealand — home of the Chronicle compiler
Key People
Researchers
- Victor Exley — principal genealogist, author of the 1983 article
- Edith Ellen Exley — compiled the NZ chronicle c.1941
- Meryll Anne Evans (b.1941) — author of the hand-drawn tree
Pivotal Figures
- William de Dewsbury (c.1245) — earliest traceable ancestor
- John Exley (m. Eliz. Tonge, 1555) — connecting link between Rawdon and Liversedge lines
- Albert Edwin Exley (1852-1918) — emigrated to NZ in 1875