Find Ancestors

Hello Adrienne.

It's unlikely that anyone chancing by the boards is connected and likely to spot the photo (which is a bit small to see his face).

But why not tell us what you know about him and we'll see if we can trace anything.

Perhaps a bit more information about him might help identify him.
When & where was he born? What is his name? Where was the photo taken?
Presume it was in Boston. Any idea when?

http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/boards/board/ancestors/thread/1216360

(wondering if info. on above relates)

Chris :)

Thanks for replying, yes I realise its a bit sketchy I have tried to find info out in the past but he is a real mystery.

The photo was also possibly taken in Canada but as Boston is a bit smaller than the whole of Canada I have gone with that, desperate measures!

The facts are as follows;

He married my Dad's grandmother Hilda Annie Kimbell at Christ Church, Eastbourne on November 11th 1914 the certificate states that he is Leonard Rolfe aged 29, a bachelor of 49 Firle Road, Eastbourne and works as an Insurance Superintendent and that his father is Michael Rolfe, a Ship Store Merchant.
Hilda has no rank or profession stated but her address is Princess Alice Hospital, perhaps she was training although I am not aware of her having been a nurse specifically. The only unidentified witness on the cert is a Margaret Fran(k or kl it is hard to read).

They had five children together before he moved on; two were born in Eastbourne in 1915 and 1918 and my grandfather and his two younger sisters were born in the Paddington North district of London.

My grandfather was born on September 19th 1919 (always an easy date to remember!) at home, 188 Shirland Road, his father Leonard was then a Commercial Traveller (Surgical Instruments).

Sadly, I am working on a shoesstring and so these are the only two relevant certificates I have at present.

The tale is consistently that he was American and I believe this could explain why he was not a soldier of some sort when my grandfather was born but I may be wrong?

I was told that Leonard was somehow involved with the singer Paul Robeson and that he came to the UK with him but the singer was at University in the states when my greatgrandparents were married, so I am not convinced.

His father was allegedly a German Jew and his mother Mexican, if so they may have adopted a more anglified surname which may also explain the brick wall effect.

Any ideas at all would be gratefully received. Thanks in advance.

Adrienne

Have posted on that other thread so info doesn't get duplicated.

Hi Chris

Yes that was me too sadly, trying a different tack now that I have the photo, not even sure if it is him but here's hoping.

Adrienne - that photo will now show on any post you've made, always worth a try.

I've nudged up your original thread so we can get re-acquainted with the details.

Bless you, thanks.