News / Central Library
Spice Girl Mel C discovers long-lost relative in Bristol
On a recent visit to Bristol, Spice Girl Melanie Chisolm discovered that her four-time great-grandfather lived and worked in Easton.
The artist formerly known as Sporty Spice was filmed in Central Library as part of the latest episode of Who Do You Think You Are? on BBC One – not to be confused with a Spice Girls single from 1996, Who Do You Think You Are.
Mel C arrived in Bristol after tracing her great-great-great-great-grandfather Thomas Keef from Plymouth, where records dating back to 1828 revealed that he was an orphan by the age of eight and grew up in a workhouse.
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Keef became a baker but by 1858 had moved to Bristol to work in insurance, living with his family at 3 Clifton Place in Easton, just off Stapleton Road.
Sitting in the library’s research room with historian James Kneal, Chisholm was handed a cutting from the Bristol Daily Post newspaper from 1860 revealing that her long-lost relative had been charged with embezzlement.
The Bristol Daily Post’s report from Bristol Police Court, which used to be on Bridewell Street and was later known as Bristol Magistrates’ Court – photo: BBC
Mel C’s four-times great-grandfather Thomas Keep lived at 3 Clifton Place in Easton – photo: Martin Booth
After being charged with the embezzlement of £2 and 11 shillings – the equivalent of some £200 today – Keef lost his job.
In court, Keef claimed the case “was trumped up to ruin my character”.
It was only three years later in 1863, however, that all charges against him were withdrawn and he was awarded £100 in costs.
Keef left Bristol and next working in Liverpool under the name of Thomas O’Keef, where he became a major player in local politics, particularly involved in campaigning to increase the number of people able to vote.
Spice Girl Mel C in Bristol – photo: BBC
Main photo: BBC
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