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Hi Rambling Rose

Thanks for your message, may indeed be a possibibilty, I will look into it :-)

Hilary

Hi Janice

I've just got back from rehearsals, I enjoy doing Theatre stuff, Our Theatre company are doing 'One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest' at the Swindon Wyvern Theatre, Sat Nov 3 :-D

Back to the research stuff, I have emailed the Alumni Secratary at Abbotsholme, not sure if I will get a prompt response on account of the School holidays, or maybe they are still open for kids who don't go home for the Holidays :-(

Gladys may well have still been alive when my Dad died, as he died aged 40 in 1971.
My Mother remarried about 18 months later, gosh, that sounds bad, doesn't it :-0
She was left with 3 young children, my Sister, Melanie was only 9 months old :-(
I'm not sure how true it is, however my Mum reckons that they wrote to the Salvation Army in the early seventies, a letter came back stating that, the above named did not wish to be associated with my father???. It always seems a little vague, because when I quizzed my Mother recently, she stated that she doesn't remember it. I do reacall something of that nature being discussed as a child.
I wil take a look at the web site and note what I will need to take with me.
Thanks so much for your time and interest in my plight

:-) Hilary

Have e-mailed the contact details for the school. It's the Alumni secretary not the school secretary.

Before you go to Kew, read the website to make sure you take the right id with you to get a reader's card. I always take a packed lunch too as the food is dear there!

The bendlerblock was originally built to house the German naval officials so wonder if James' father was in the German Navy. That could explain the sea in his genes!

Not sure about Uttoxeter yet, but what if the horses Gladys owned were racehorses. Maybe James was taken to races and thats why he liked the gee-gees.

Will get that address and PM it to you - it opened ok for me last night.

Do you know if Gladys was still alive when your dad died?

It was just a thought last night, and I haven't had time to look at the 1911 ( in any case if she was born after the census which might be a possibility it won't help much?) but wonder if her father was any kind of diplomat in Berlin? Given that there seemed to be some money, I wondered if the family was there in some official capacity, and then she returned home with them when the political situation in Berlin became difficult...might just be worth trying to find and eliminate any names of British Embassy staff prior to the war?

Hi Janice

yes, Melanie Jacobs is my Sister :-)

I will travel to Kew on Sep 1st, my Husband said he would take me :-)

I tried to get into that E mail of the Abbotsholme School, however, when I click on the School secretary, it doesn't let me in. Could you please try to retrieve it for me.
I feel that an E mail would be more appropriate at this stage, rather than a phone call :-)
I am still feeling elated over the Naturalization doc, can't wait to view it, surely his Mother must be mentioned on that, someone had to put him forward. We'll see :-D

James Smith born 1931 Germany is on the tree of someone called Melanie Jacobs on here. Is she a known relative of yours?


I had a quick look at Alien arrivals to UK but they only go up to 1921 :-(

Thanks again :-)

Hilary

When he enlisted, who did he give as his next of kin? There's usually an address with that.

Wouldn't expect his school to be mentioned.


Right I'm off to bed!! Good luck with your searches :-)

Yes, We have those, my Brother sent for them a few years back, a blue print of all the ships he sailed on, just those vital earlier years that are missing :-( ......and of course the elusive 'Gladys!, would love to find out more about her.
Do you think there may be an entry stating he had boarded at a certain School then?
Janice, Thank you so Much for your help on this.

Hilary

No idea but anything's worth a go. I've had amazing stuff from naturalization documents - brief history of the person and character references.

Did your dad go into the Navy as you would be able to send off for his papers.

sorry about the typo's abit excited :-D

I Would be free to go Saturday 1st September, ironically, My Brother's birthday, he lives in the USA :-D
Looking at the Naturalisation date, that was issues 1 month after his 17 Birthday. Do you think he would have still been connected with the School at that age?

Hilary

Actually - it's open on Saturdays too 9-5 so you might be able to go yourself?

Have e-mailed her so will let you know when she replies :-D


Have e-mailed another friend whose son is doing some uni research there and might be going soon too.

She's bound to be - she retired last year and so has all the time in the world now. I'll e-mail her. Might even get another trip in myself before term starts :-D :-D :-D

I have no leave from Work until September 24, do you think your Friend will be going to Kew before then? - I'm so excited to have learnt something new.

Hilary :-)

1911 is the most recent census you can see as there is a 100 year closure.

You could contact the school and see if they have archives though!

It even has an equestrian centre YAY I'm feeling hopeful on this one!


If you go onto the school website and click on the Alumni tab, there's an e-mail address for the secretary who might be able to help you.
Good luck!

What about this?

Abbotsholme School - it's a boarding school :-)

Rocester, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, ST14 5BS England

Tel :+44(0)1889 590217