My husband's family have a family story/myth that they have Jewish roots. According to his (now sadly deceased) grandfather either his (my husband's) G or GG grandfather was buried in a Jewish cemetery in Golders Green and had Jewish ancestry. I am tracing the family and there is no hint of Jewish ancestry yet. I am, however, finding it very difficult to trace them prior to the 1871 census. They have a very common name and I don't know London well so I'd be grateful for any tips or help in tracing them and how to investigate the 'Jewish story' further.
The G Grandfather was Francis Henry Taylor born c1876 probably in St Giles in the Fields London. He married Emily Eliza Einchcombe on 10th April 1898 in All Saints Parish Church nr Peckham. I have their marriage certificate and his father was Benjamin Taylor. Francis was a coach japanner (sp?)
I have Benjamin George Taylor and his family in the 1871 and 1881 Census. I'm not sure how to give a folio reference for the census. In 1871 they are in 19a Tower Street, St Giles in the Fields (St Giles North, district 10) and 1881 in 9 Lidgate Road, Camberwell (camberwell, St george, district 11). Benjamin was a carpenter/cabinet maker. He was born c1835 and gives his place of birth as London City or Middlesex, London in the Census. His wife, Emma, is alone in the 1891 Census so presumably he died between 1881-1891. She gives various ages that take the year of birth to 1837-1840 and place of birth as Soho or Clarkenwell. She was a costumier or dressmaker and is listed as deaf in the 1881 and 1901 censuses.
I'd be very grateful for any help. As the name is so common I am finding it difficult to work out which GRO certificates are theirs. I can't find any strong matches in the pre-1871 censuses and to my (untutored) eye none of this looks likely to reveal Jewish roots....
Many thanks