George William Tivey was born on 28 May 1898 in Lucknow, India, where his father was working with the Department of Works. His parents, William Henry Tivey and Amy Elizabeth Tivey, were double first cousins. George's grandfathers were brothers, and his grandmothers were sisters. Therefore he only had four great-grandparents (Isaac Tivey & Phoebe Morris, and Thomas Brown & Mary Elizabeth Flamell).
George married Irish-born Margaret Cahill on 18 September 1922 in Farnham, Surrey. They had two children. Their daughter remained in London and their son emigrated to Canada. George worked as a city council clerk and accountant.
Margaret died in 1977 in Croydon aged 85; George died there in 1982 aged 84.
Children: Elizabeth M. (Liz) Tivey (1924-2014) Anthony Tivey (1926-1989)