Jenny Cockell: The True Story of a Woman Who Has Lived Before

Is Reincarnation Real?

Jenny Cockell was just an ordinary Northamptonshire housewife. She was also a mother of two children, but there was nothing ordinary about her. Beginning when she was only a young child, Jenny began to feel that she had lived before as an Irish woman called Mary Sutton who was born in 1897. Stranger yet, Mary later located Sutton's children still living in Ireland.

Is Jenny Cockell the Reincarnation of Mary Sutton?

Jenny's story starts just before her fourth birthday. She began to remember her past life in small snatches and pictures, and for a long time, she never mentioned it to anybody because she believed that everybody had the same feelings and experiences. The most vivid of her memories was a very disturbing one. She dreamt of her own death as Mary Sutton. She was also aware that she (as Mary) had been 35 years old and had just given birth to her eighth child when she died. She could "see" the hospital where it was happening, and she experienced very strong feelings of guilt and sorrow that she was leaving her children.

These feelings never left her, and after experiencing these memories for some time, she suddenly decided to draw a map of where she believed these strange things had happened. She just knew that it was in Ireland and was quoted as saying "I just felt so sad that I had left them, I realized then that I had to go back, so I got out a map, and I instinctively kept pointing to Ireland. After a while, I was drawn to a place called Malahide. I just knew this was my hometown."

Life got in the way, however, as she was still only a child. A number of years later, after Jenny married and had her own children, the feelings and memories surfaced again, only this time, they were stronger. This is when she started to think seriously about tracking down Mary's family in Ireland.

I remember the first time I read Jenny's book. I was blown away! Jenny went to Ireland, found her first family, and brought them back together. I think her book is one of the most amazing reincarnation proof stories ever written.

Beginning to Believe

Jenny stated that if she were to trace the family, she wanted to make sure she did it right. She did not want to make mistakes or leave even the smallest doubt. It had to be the right house and the right family. Even more importantly, the names, dates, and children's names had to be correct. So she consulted a hypnotist who dealt with regression therapy.

Funnily enough, Jenny was very much a skeptic, so she didn't really believe in reincarnation or psychic phenomena. That, I think, Is what makes this story so incredible. She felt uncomfortable with the whole situation and was afraid she was going to make a fool of herself. So after undergoing regression and realizing that this was not going to go away, she decided to make the trip to Ireland.

Jenny compared the maps she had drawn to a real map of Ireland and studied in detail the town of Malahide. To her surprise, she realized that it was very similar to the one she had drawn from memory. This was the final push Jenny needed to undertake the journey to Ireland to see if she could find the home and family that she had "left" so many years before.

She arrived in Malahide, which is north of Dublin, and decided the best course of action would be to check out any church records she could find. The records showed that there had been a Mary Sutton who had lived and died in Malahide and that her eight children had been left to various relatives or placed in orphanages. She decided that if she was going to do this properly, she would need to get in touch with the local newspapers and write letters to all the churches to find out as much as she could.

The Moment of Truth

By this time, any trace of embarrassment or doubt was quickly beginning to disappear. Jenny knew in a way that nobody else could understand that this was real.

With the help of foster homes and historical societies she had written to, Jenny was able to locate the surviving children. Before she met them, however, she subjected herself to questioning from a BBC researcher to make sure that the dreams and memories that she had been having matched up with facts known about the surviving members of the Sutton family.

Jenny told the researcher various things she knew about the Sutton family, including what kind of sewing thread Mary had used. She also recounted a memory of a time the children had caught a live hare in a trap. Eventually, after her interview, she came face to face with Sonny, Mary's son, for the first time.

A Family Reunited

In 1990, Sonny Sutton picked up the phone and listened to the most amazing story he had ever heard. When he finally put the phone down, his wife said "You look like you have seen a ghost." Sonny turned to her, white as a sheet, and said, "I've been talking to my Mother."

The rest of Mary's family was not so easily convinced. Who was this Jenny? Why was she doing this to the family? They just couldn't believe such a thing could be possible. The family had been brought up as Catholics. In complete bewilderment, Phyllis Clinton, Mary's daughter, consulted her priest. He told her that, after hearing the evidence, the only thing he could think of was that somehow Mary was speaking through Jenny as a way to get the family back together. Christy, 72, Frank, 70, Phyllis, 71, Betty Keogh, 62, and their brother Jeffrey James (who died in 1992 at age 66) were very unsettled by all of this.

"She knew the pictures on the wall, what was in the house, how it was built, it is unbelievable," said Phyllis. "I still find it hard to believe, even though I know she is telling the truth. Mammy passed her soul over to this unborn person."

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How Is This Possible?

There was a 21-year gap between the year Mary died and the year Jenny was born. Given that gap, it is lucky that Mary's children could be found to corroborate Jenny's story. Jenny is a member of Mensa, an organization for individuals with very high IQs, and a very down-to-earth person. She insisted that anything that she could not remember should not be added to the story. It had to consist only of the things she could prove.

This is a very fascinating story. An average, everyday woman born into a normal household grew up with memories of a past life. As a child, she thought this was common. Whether you believe Jenny or not, certain facts remain. After Mary's death, her children were separated and lost contact with each other for nearly 60 years. Jenny Cockell did a remarkable thing—she reunited a lost family. On that day, in a Dublin home belonging to Betty, they came together and shared tears and memories, vowing never to be apart again.

If there is anything that we can take from this story, it's that whether we believe in reincarnation or not, something extraordinary happened. So the next time you dream a dream or have a memory that is strange to you, maybe you should listen to your thoughts—there could be someone out there that remembers the old you.

Check out my article about children's past lives for more on the topic of reincarnation.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2010 Nell Rose

Comments

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 22, 2020:

Hi Gene, yes quite believe that when we sleep we have memories from past lives. I have had a few that are so vivid they must be real. Thanks for reading.

Gene Wright on March 21, 2020:

I had read or heard of this some time ago. I am eighty years of age and have been troubled for years over dreams or "sense" of a previous life. I cannot give an accurate description as many things come and go and yet seems so real.

Is there a possibility I have memories that far exceed what most would call "Dreams'?

I most profound memory (recurring) is being in a relatively squalled city (Most like descriptions of London or a large English City). The strings from that take me to into a region of North American forests frought with bogs, stinging nettles and intense moist hot air.

Much more but these are just a few recurring memories. Dreams? Or what? Gene

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 15, 2020:

It does me too Leanne. She is amazing isn't she?

Leanne on March 15, 2020:

I seen this story on 20/20 many years ago. It was amazing! The things she described and remembered was mind blowing. How she stood at the end of a dock waiting for her children to home from fishing. To things in there home. It gave me goosebumps.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on February 22, 2019:

Not sure to be honesst ilaria? But Mensa is the intelligence agency that you join if your IQ is higher than 140 like mine.

Ilaria on February 21, 2019:

Is anyone expert of Edwardian postcards? And what is Mensa? Y

Thank your for sharing

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on January 24, 2019:

No not fake news, it's true. She has books about it and the family who she saved. Unlike your name, lol!

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on December 01, 2018:

Thanks for reading Julie )

Julie Hicks on December 01, 2018:

I think this is Gods way of letting us know that there is life after death on earth or Heaven

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on February 22, 2018:

Thanks Eric, good question. and yes I totally understand what you mean about when you were a kid. I was the same!

Eric Cripe on February 22, 2018:

I can remember as an infant really thinking as I lay in my bed how strange this all was and feeling this life a dream from which I shall awaken from after many years this finally faded away...my question isn't whether or not we come back but WHY and are we somehow trapped here in this cycle of life and death

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on February 07, 2018:

Thanks Jean, I actually chat to Jenny sometimes on facebook! She is still writing and producing fascinating books! thanks for reading.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on February 07, 2018:

I totally understand Jersey, I have psychic all my life too. In fact I have dreams of being in a particular place, same for years. I know its another place or dimension. or maybe one of these days I will go there! thanks again for sharing your fascinating story.

Snakesmum on February 06, 2018:

Fascinating story, and hard to argue with facts like that. Would love to believe that we can come back again, and remain open minded about this.

JerseyJersey on February 06, 2018:

My grandmother, Doris Lily Leece Ford of Liverpool (Leece Street), had a sixth sense, she knew the future of people upon touching their hand, I grew up with her and she was something else!

She saved her family's life during WWII - her husband came home from work & she told him that the house would be bombed that night - well he grabbed her and their 2 daughters - one of which was my mother - and ran out into the woods to sleep under some trees, about a mile away.

The next morning they returned, and whole blocks of homes were completely gone.

I myself see the Grim Reaper, have seen it many times, and within a few weeks, someone has passed on, sometimes a few people. I often tell my husband things that are going to happen that day, and they always come true.

So reincarnation? Absolutely, why not!

I went to a hypnotist to be regressed to see what my past lives are - she was not able to put me under, saying that strong-willed people are not good candidates for hypnosis, others will slip under almost immediately, but I am not one of them. The reason I went to her is that I had dreams for months, seeing myself walk into a neighborhood pub & then everything went black - well eventually I DID walk into that pub - the second I walked in and set eyes on one man there I told my friend "That's him, that's the man I've been looking for my whole life, I'm going to marry that man!"

And I did.

I feel that I recognized him from a previous life, and 30 years later we are still together.

So yes, I know I have lived before, and I'm positive many others have as well.

There is a good psychic living in my area who I intend to visit one day, just to see what / who she sees around me, my father's dead mother came to visit me when I was under anesthesia. She told me that she is my guardian and never leaves me, she died 11 years before I was born, that was a very strange experience.

I often feel that I live with one foot in this world, the other in the world beyond.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on February 06, 2018:

Wow Jersey! That is an amazing story! And yes! Of course I believe you! Who knows exactly what is happening, reincarnation, possession or just something we do not know yet? How fascinating! and thank you for sharing your story, I am sure that Anna knows how much you helped her.

JerseyJersey on February 06, 2018:

Nell -

I believe it all, and I'll tell you why.

I read Ms Cockell's book years ago, and I have had all kinds of strange experiences happen to me (seeing the Grim Reaper, having dreams that come true, etc.), so it seemed possible.

About 2 years ago a woman started to 'haunt' me, an old neighbor I had not seen since I was 7 years old, quite awhile back. My mother had kept her alive because for years whenever we went through her old photo box, she would come across photos of 'Anna', this neighbor, and told me that she had had an illegitimate baby while we were living there, but no one knew as she had strapped herself in to appear slimmer and then went away to have the baby, coming back 2 weeks later. Anna told me mother, but swore her to secrecy, no one else knew.

My mother always said that she hoped Anna had married and was happy and had more children.

Well after my mother passed on, this 'Anna' came after me, I can only say that she kept whispering to me, 'Find me, find me!' whenever I was on the computer, and I found myself searching for her whereabouts.

For a good year I searched for her, her sisters, and her one brother, but the family had scattered across the country.

At one point, my husband and I were very busy moving & I had no time to be looking for Anna and her relatives, and one morning I was looking into the bathroom mirror, fixing my hair to get ready for work. I stepped back and felt a person behind me, it was Anna. She grabbed my hand and implored me not to forget her.

Shortly after, I found her through her husband's obituary, then went on to find out that she had died 20 years after her husband, I was heartbroken.

Anyway, to make a long story short, I found a nephew of hers in the area and called him, he was stunned to hear the story and I don't think he believed me, until I gave him the address we were all living at, all those years ago.

Then the bombshell - he told me she had another baby, 12 years before the little boy, which was a girl and that he had been searching unsuccessfully for her.

This nephew emailed a photo of Anna at 18 years of age, a beautiful haunting face smiling at me.

Anyway, Anna left me after that - obviously, she was desperate to have someone find her children, I hope they are reunited with their family and happy.

Anyone who DOESN'T think that these things happen just does not realize the power of motherhood, and as I write these words it sounds incredible to me as well, but this is absolutely true, and I do believe that Anna came after me because I was the only person left alive who knew the story, and also because I am so receptive.

Thank you for listening!

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on September 11, 2017:

Thanks Matt, and of course you are right. Psychology has to come into it. but sometimes people need to believe. And lets face it, maybe they are right? thanks for reading.

Matt on September 09, 2017:

No skeptics here?

Lovely story, glad it all worked out and everyone is happy, but these events can be explained much better by a variety of natural events not supernatural (reincarnation).

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on July 17, 2017:

Thanks Hutchman, thanks so much for reading, yes its amazing isn't it?

Robert from Helderberg Mountains - Upstate New York on July 17, 2017:

Great article, Nell! I have always been fascinated by these type of reincarnation stories! When you have this much evidence: Names, dates, places....etc., it has to be real and I view it that way! I was raised Methodist, but in my 57 years of living, I have been exposed to and learned about so many of these stories, that are from all types of people....from various religions...that it seems to me to be a common theme! Isn't it exciting to know that this life is not the end....and that we may be able to come back if we choose to! I find it amazing and will continue to read and learn all I can about this life....and possibly what lies beyond! Thanks again, Nell!

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on July 06, 2017:

Good points Subhash, I tend to believe that there is more out there than we will ever know. Therefore it could be stored there. glad you liked it, nell

Subhash Chandra Sawhney on July 04, 2017:

A fascinating story. It proves that memories don't die with us when we die. Even the researches done by Dr Ian Stevenson point to the fact that memories don't die along with us. When we die our soul carries all the memories with it and transplants all the memories in the brain of the new born baby in which enters. But it is not known how at all the soul is able to preserve the memories intact for so long. Hopefully memories are not stored on any physical medium. So a question arises whether it is possible to store information on something that does not have a physical existence. If we have to believe in this story -of course we have to believe- we have to also believe that it is possible l to store memories on a medium that does not have physical existence.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on January 22, 2017:

Thanks so much Shyron, I would love to know about a past life too! lol!

Shyron E Shenko on January 20, 2017:

Nell, I don't know how I missed this article. It is very fascinating, I don't believe nor disbelieve in reincarnation, but I think the idea is exciting and if I lived in a different time, I would like to know.

Blessings my friend

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on November 04, 2016:

Thanks for reading Alondra! :)

Alondra Rosales on November 04, 2016:

i did now that this is a real story of jenny cockel but yesterday i was read a story about her .

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on February 11, 2016:

Hi gjcody, Wow! that's amazing, and yes fate! thanks for reading, nell

GJCody from Pittsburgh on February 09, 2016:

I have to tell you this is a fascinating story ...and yes I do believe this is possible. I have had strange things come to me when I needed them and it is so interesting how people meet too. Almost as though it was suppose to be ...my daughter and her husband met on a plane ...her original flight was canceled and he missed his flight (he lost his day planner putting them on the same flight) ...and here we are four children later. Beautiful story Nell Rose ....keep on hubbing

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on December 16, 2015:

Hi Heather, thanks for reading. That's awesome! and yes I totally believe it! does she still say so today? nell

Heather on December 16, 2015:

My daughter at 2 would point to the tv when wizard if oz was on or we would see pictures online and say thats me she would say she was judy garland so yes i do believe

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on August 27, 2015:

Hi viryabo, that's amazing! thanks for sharing your story! nell

viryabo from Lagos, Nigeria. on August 25, 2015:

Such a wonderful story. I enjoyed reading it, and I do believe that it is indeed true.

Where l come from, we mostly believe in reincarnation. In fact it is believed in my family that I am a reincarnation of my paternal grandmother.

Reason why my name, translated into English means . . . "My mother returns".

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on August 18, 2015:

Hiya Koffee, its amazing isn't it? if proof is needed it seems that this is it! reincarnation is real!

Susan Hazelton from Northern New York on August 16, 2015:

@Nell Rose this was a fascinating article. I was blown away by this story. I love that she was able to bring the children back together. Awesome.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on July 12, 2015:

Thanks sunflower, thanks for reading, I was in fact chatting to Jenny Cockell yesterday! amazing how it all comes round, thanks

sunflowerforests from The light in the forest of doubt. on July 11, 2015:

Love that you've highlighted these articles telling of this very common phenomenon. I will be reading these in the coming days. Thank you

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on June 13, 2015:

lol! john, now you said it.........!

John R Wilsdon from Superior, Arizona on June 12, 2015:

Do you think Jenny Cockell looks like Nicola Sturgeon?

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on June 06, 2015:

Thanks ladyguitar, glad you liked it, and thanks for reading, nell

stella vadakin from 3460NW 50 St Bell, Fl32619 on June 05, 2015:

A really good story, and one that we are not suppose to know the answers. I had an uncle on his death bed that told us he hopes he does not come back again. He believed we need to get it right in the way we are living our life, so we do not come back. Great story.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on May 26, 2015:

Thanks so much aesta, yes that is so true! glad you liked it, nell

Mary Norton from Ontario, Canada on May 25, 2015:

Such a beautiful story. Whatever may the explanation be for this phenomenon, the outcome is worth it. A mother would do everything to keep her kids together.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on May 10, 2015:

Thanks Cam, yes its amazing what children come out with, it really makes you wonder doesn't it? thanks so much, nell

Chris Mills from Traverse City, MI on May 10, 2015:

Truly fascinating, Nell. It's hard to argue with a child's innocent memories that turn out to be correct. We all shall see at some point. Thanks for sharing this and making it so interesting.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on April 23, 2015:

Thanks drbj, I am so glad you liked it, I am in the same group on facebook as Jenny so its come round full circle on reading her book and now chatting to her! lol!

drbj and sherry from south Florida on April 23, 2015:

What an incredible story, Nell, and what an exceptional job you did relating it to us in a very easy-to-understand fashion. A large Up plus on this one, m'dear.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on April 22, 2015:

Hi robie, I have another surprise on this story! I chat to Jenny on facebook! lol! well I have left a few comments that she has read, but we both belong to the same reincarnation group so what a bonus! thanks so much for reading, nell

Roberta Kyle from Central New Jersey on April 22, 2015:

Don't know how I missed this one...... but I've been doing some reading recently on reincarnation and near death experiences with an emphasis on personal accounts and am finding the whole subject absolutely fascinating. Totally absorbed by your excellent hub and loved the video too. This all makes perfect sense to me... a lot more than fire and brimstone and St. Peter at the pearly gates. voted up and awesome. Thanks for a great read, as always Nell

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 24, 2015:

Thanks Delia it is fascinating isn't it? I love reading and researching these stories, nell

Delia on March 23, 2015:

Absolutely fascinating a very interesting story! Great hub and well written....thanks for sharing! I watch a TV program that has reincarnation in children and adults.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on March 05, 2015:

Hi Shades, yes its amazing isn't it? if not reincarnation something is definitely going on! In fact I am friends with her on facebook now! lol! amazing how what goes around comes around! thanks, nell

Emily Tack from USA on March 05, 2015:

Loved reading this! I don't believe in reincarnation, but one has to admit that instances like this cannot be explained away. What a delightful end to the true story, and how excited Jenny must have been, when she found out that all of the strange things she "knew", were true!

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on February 28, 2015:

Hi Jodah, thanks so much, yes its really intriguing isn't it? I do believe her, not sure exactly what its about though, as you say maybe the spirit? nell

John Hansen from Australia (Gondwana Land) on February 27, 2015:

This is an another amazing hub Nell, whether it was reincarnation or just Mary's spirit trying to reunite her children it doesn't matter. very interesting. Voted up.

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on December 03, 2014:

Hi Besarien, you may be right there about the knowledge floating around, I often wonder if thats true too. there is definitely something we are missing about it all, thanks so much for reading, nell

Besarien from South Florida on December 02, 2014:

We live steeped in mystery and see only a little that we call our reality. I don't believe in much besides Christianity but don't disbelieve necessarily. Maybe there is knowledge of past times and lives just floating about in the ethereal soup waiting for someone to come along whose brain is properly configured to receiving that information. Maybe one day we will learn to tap into it like the ultimate internet. I don't think there is reason to fear what we don't understand- then most of us would be afraid of everything. I love that Jenny was brave enough to investigate and see it through to a satisfactory conclusion for her and the family. I love your hubs!

Nell Rose (author) from Buckinghamshire UK on September 02, 2014:

LOL! old? wish I was your age again! thanks for popping over Jo, nell