William Shakespeare was the eldest son of John and Mary Shakespeare. John Shakespeare trained as a glove-maker and married Mary Arden, the daughter of a farmer from the nearby village of Wilmcote. When William was born, John and Mary were living on Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, in the house now known as Shakespeare’s Birthplace. They had eight children in total.

William Shakespeare was the eldest son of John and Mary Shakespeare. John Shakespeare trained as a glove-maker and married Mary Arden, the daughter of a farmer from the nearby village of Wilmcote. When William was born, John and Mary were living on Henley Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, in the house now known as Shakespeare’s Birthplace. They had eight children in total.

William and Anne Shakespeare had three children; Susanna was born six months after their marriage and was followed by twins Judith and Hamnet in 1585. 

Shakespeare had four grandchildren who all died without heirs, so there are no direct descendants of his line today. Susanna and John Hall’s only daughter, Elizabeth, married twice but both marriages remained childless. Judith and Thomas Quiney’s sons all died at an early age, either in infancy or as young adults before having children.

It is possible, however, to claim a relationship to Shakespeare through his sister, Joan. She married William Hart some time before 1600 and there are many descendants of this marriage alive today, in both the male and female lines.