Waiting to Be Found: The Fairytale Castle Was Real

Have you ever wondered if the stories your grandparents told you as a child might have been more than just bedtime tales? What if those seemingly fantastical family legends were actually breadcrumbs leading you back to your heritage?

For most of us, childhood stories fade into the background as we grow up, dismissed as the sweet imaginings of older generations trying to entertain us. But sometimes, those stories hold truths that can literally reshape our entire lives. Sometimes, they're not fairy tales at all. They're family history waiting to be reclaimed.

That's exactly what happened to Hopwood DePree, author of "Downton Shabby," when he finally decided to trace his unusual first name to its origins. What he discovered was extraordinary: a 600-year-old ancestral estate in England that had been waiting centuries for him to find it.

The Bedtime Stories That Changed Everything

"My grandfather was also named Hopwood and he would always tell me these bedtime stories about a Hopwood castle in England... I always just thought there were fairy tales. I really didn't think it was a real place."

Growing up in Michigan, Hopwood struggled with his unusual name. Bullied on the playground and embarrassed by what seemed like such an odd choice, he eventually went by his father’s initials, "Tod" instead. His grandfather's stories about a castle in England felt like consolation prizes, sweet attempts to make a difficult name feel special.

But after his grandfather and father passed away, Hopwood found himself drawn to genealogy, searching for something constant in the midst of loss. One night in Los Angeles, while researching on Ancestry, he stumbled across a stunning black and white photograph of an imposing estate called Hopwood Hall. In that moment, everything clicked.

"I knew that that had to be the place that he used to tell me these bedtime stories about. I could just tell from the description he would tell me about the many windows and the chimneys and all the doors, and I was struck in that moment that, wow, it's a real place. And he was always telling me the truth."

The Whole Story

If you haven't already heard Hopwood's incredible journey from skeptical grandson to dedicated preservationist, take a moment to listen in:

Prefer audio only? Click here to listen on your favorite podcast app.

🎧 Listen to the full episode to discover:

• How a simple Ancestry search led to emails from English villagers eager to connect
• The shocking state of the 60-room, 50,000-square-foot estate when Hopwood first visited
• Why two World War I casualties left this magnificent hall without heirs
• The moment Hopwood stood in the room where his 14th great-grandfather was born
• Hidden priest holes, secret tabernacles, and other treasures still being discovered
• How an entire English village became part of Hopwood's extended family tree

The Power of One Story

Hopwood's experience reminds us that family stories (even the ones we dismiss as too good to be true) can hold kernels of extraordinary truth. His grandfather wasn't spinning tales to make a difficult name more bearable; he was preserving genuine family history that would one day guide his grandson home.

"It was like hearing that Bigfoot exists and never believing it. And then one day he shows up at your front door."

What makes Hopwood's story even more remarkable is how it expanded beyond personal discovery. When he finally moved to England to help save Hopwood Hall, he discovered that dozens of local families had their own connections to the estate - descendants of chauffeurs, housemaids, gardeners, and craftsmen who had helped build and maintain the property for generations. His individual journey of family discovery became a community effort to preserve shared heritage.

The urgency of his mission became clear immediately: with water damage, vandalism, and theft threatening the structure, experts warned that without intervention, Hopwood Hall would be lost forever within five to ten years. Sometimes our ancestral stories aren't just waiting to be found. They're waiting to be saved.

Your Story

Think about the family stories you grew up hearing. Were there any that seemed too extraordinary to be true? Names of places that sounded made-up? Tales of castles, mansions, or grand adventures that felt like fiction?

Consider the family names that have been passed down through generations. Sometimes our ancestors chose names with intention, connecting us to places, people, or stories they wanted us to remember. Your unusual family name might not be random. It could be a breadcrumb trail leading back to your heritage.

Story Seeds 🌱

Plant these conversation starters and watch your family stories grow.

1. For Grandparents/Elderly Relatives: "What stories did your parents or grandparents tell you about our family's early days? Were there any places they talked about that seemed almost too grand or important to be real?"
2. For Parents: "Do you remember any family stories that you thought might be exaggerated or embellished? Looking back now, do you think there might have been truth in them?"
3. For Extended Family: "Have you ever wondered about the origins of our family names—both first names and surnames? Do you know why certain names were chosen or passed down?"
4. For Family Historians: "What's the most unbelievable family story you've heard? Have you ever tried to research whether there might be documentation to support it?"

Story Sparks 🔑

Unlock your family's hidden stories with these research techniques.

1. Research Unusual Family Names: If you have an uncommon first name, surname, or place name in your family stories, explore its origins. Try searching for the name as both a surname and a place name to see what connections emerge.
2. Use the Card Catalog for Location Research: Search Ancestry's Card Catalog for historical records, maps, and directories related to places mentioned in family stories. Filter by location and time period to find resources that might confirm or expand on family legends.
3. Explore Estate and Property Records: Look for land records, probate documents, and property transfers that might reveal connections to significant properties or estates. These records often contain details about family relationships and inherited properties.
4. Connect with Local Historical Societies: When family stories mention specific locations, reach out to local historical societies, libraries, or archives in those areas. They often have resources and knowledge that can help verify or expand on family legends.

Hopwood's journey proves that sometimes the most extraordinary family stories are the truest ones of all. Those bedtime tales about castles and grand estates might not be fairy tales. They might be your family history, waiting patiently for you to come home.

 Ready to discover what family stories might be waiting for you to find them? Subscribe to Stories That Live In Us wherever you get your podcasts. And if Hopwood's incredible journey inspired you, please leave us a rating and review—it helps other family story seekers find these amazing tales of connection and discovery.

© 2025 Crista Cowan. All rights reserved.