My dear beloved late parents always had a keen interest in Genealogy (this was before the days of the internet) so they had to search the long way. I remember my Mum was really excited about it and I remember being bored as they went into the Records Office at Lewes. But all that has changed thanks to my cousin John who reignited my interest and my Aunt who lives in Sussex.
I only discovered this year age 50 (after I had my DNA analysed) that I had any Scottish heritage. I had no idea I was related to royalty or any of Hollywood’s hall of fame or John Lennon or Jane Austen, Vita Sackville-West AND Agatha Christie. Good things come to those who wait or deserve it (having been treated like I don’t matter for so long.
It has brought joy to my world which I felt was empty to be brutally honest in many ways. So the message is never give up you never know what miracles await you.
Vita Sackville-West was born in 1892, at Knole, Sevenoaks to Lionel and Victoria Sackville. A writer, poet and gardener she had a complex life and although married to Harold Nicholson had numerous affairs with women. Violet Keppel being one of the more notorious and author Virginia Woolf. We can only imagine it was scandalous at the time. They were part of the Bloomsbury set who were ‘artistes,’ intellectuals, philosophers swapping lovers while painting and penning poetry.
Vita’s parents were Lionel Sackville-West, who was born at Knole 15 May 1867.
Knole is now owned by The National Trust. I am happy to move in if they require a helper. Or pop in for afternoon tea with Lord Sackville.
Vita’s mother Victoria Josefa Dolores Catalina Sackville-West was born in Paris to Josefa de la Olivia Duran, the daughter of an old clothes pedlar in Malaga. Lionel was her first cousin, so they definitely ‘kept it in the family.’ She was a flamenco dancer and sensational with long ebony hair and tiny feet known as the ‘Star of Andalucia.’
Vita’s Grandmother a flamenco sensation
Victoria’s father was also a Sackville (2nd Lord) and a diplomat. He had many affairs having a lot of time off in his role, he fathered five children with her and their relationship lasted to her premature death in childbirth. Pepita was famous in her own right as a dancer known as the ‘Star of Andalusia.’
to be cont…