Hi, I am trying to separate fact from legend in my family tree. My Dad was usually right about everything. He told us that a grandmother or great-grandmother on his mother' side was Jewish and her name was Sarah. I have traced his mother (Ellen Giles, b.1892 in Lichfield, Staffordshire)'s side to the Giles Family in Worchestershire and the Wills family in Leicestershire. Her paternal Grandmother was Phoebe Wills, born 1821 in Hinkley. Phoebe's father was Daniel Wills, and she had sisters named Hepzibah and Hannah. Her mother's name was Mary on the census. My grandmother's maternal side was from Staffordshire, Roberts and Riley. Supposedly this Jewish ancestor was a Levite (Levy, Levi, etc.). Is there any evidence of a Jewish community in Leichestershire in the 18th or 19th century? Any ideas on where to look and what I'm looking for? Thanks.
