Friday, January 21, 2022

Original C.I.A. Staff 1914

 



One of the people appearing in these photos is my grandfather Albert Charles Mackie. I have zoomed in on him in the smaller pic. I recently stumbled upon this site Royal Arsenal History - Royal Arsenal Departments which informs me that C.I.A. stood for Chief Inspector Of Armaments Inspection Dept. As detailed elsewhere in this blog, Albert was Chief Clerk with the Ministry of Supply During World War II.

Saturday, August 17, 2019

L'institution Ségaux aux Lilas

In a previous post I wrote about a school trip to Paris is 1966. I was curious about the establishment where we stayed and set out to see what I could find about it. I presumed it was a boarding school. It occupied several storeys with communal facilities including dining room, washroom and dormitory. There was a yard at the back and a single storey outbuilding with table tennis equipment. There was a general store on the corner opposite. Retracing my steps as best I could recall on Google Street View, I headed south west from Mairie des Lilas Metro along Rue de Paris, then north along Rue Jean Moulin. On the corner at the junction with Rue du Tapis Vert I found the café ‘MELTING POTES’ which seemed a good fit for the old general store. Opposite the café on the west side of Rue Jean Moulin, relatively modern buildings occupying the site.

I could not recall the name of the school, but M. Ségaux was in charge. Google searches led me to L'institution Ségaux, a private school at 23 Rue Jean Martin. I have given some links below for those who would like to know more, but briefly the institution had been in the family for several generations back to the 19th century. It moved to Rue Jean Martin (then known as Rue De L’Avenir) in 1868 and finally closed in 2004. A notable chapter in the school's history is the concealment of a number of Jewish children during WWII. Jacques, who took over in 1958, was Director at the time of my visit.
The institution features in a number of old postcards. This must be a 19th century view as the address is given as Rue de L’Avenir and there are detail differences from later images.

Compare it with a view from 2018

Another view from about the same period

The corner shop opposite the institution, about the same period. An extra storey was added later. 

The Institution from Rue du Tapis Vert, 1903

And in 2018, looking towards the current No, 23 

1904

About 1905

The school recreation ground in 1906

Undated, similar to other early 1900’s images but no crescent name board above the gates

 Source gives date as (1945-1960). Various detail differences from earlier views including the lintel above the gates with the inscription ‘INSTITUTION SEGAUX’. 

Links to four images of L'institution Ségaux from 2006. I haven’t reproduced them here since they are accompanied by copyright notices, but the appearance is much the same as the 1945-1960 image. The accompanying captions includes the text ‘Les édifices les plus importants, l’église et l’institut Ségaux, devraient disparaître. La première sera rebâtie, et la réutilisation des terrain du second sont l’objet d’études à l’heure actuelle’. The church, Église Notre-Dame-du-Rosaire des Lilas, will be rebuilt but the institution’s days are numbered. 
https://patrimoine.seinesaintdenis.fr/La-rue-Jean-Moulin-ancien-chemin-de-la-Fontaine-carree-qui-apparait-deja-sur-12830


Other links.

Links to former pupils and group photos 1956-1991

Former pupils' Facebook page

Monday, April 22, 2019

St. Mary's 1965 photo - third year tagged.





An update to previous post of the 1965 panoramic photo . I have added names for boys from my cohort who would have been in the third year at the time. Mostly, these joined in the first year in 1963 and left from the upper sixth in 1970 but some came later or left earlier. One or two stayed later after repeating a year to improve their 'O' or 'A' level grades. I haven't spotted:
Richard Marsh, Desmond Heldt - may have left by now
Michael Upton, Michael Minkiewicz, Tim Hickey, Daniel Taylor (deceased) - may not yet have arrived
Colin Gabel, Malcolm Haley - I'm afraid I can't remember what Malcolm looked like
I can't recall McLaughlin's first name.
If you find anyone I have missed, please leave a comment. I hope to add other tagged versions as time and available information permits.

Thursday, February 1, 2018

Ethel White/Blanche White

I am intending to update the imdb entry for Blanche White but need to provide evidence for any changes. As far as I know, nothing has been published elsewhere that states categorically that Ethel McCann is the same person as Blanche White. In this rather lengthy post, I strive to establish the connection by drawing together primary source data from births, marriages, deaths, census and migration records of Ethel McCann and her immediate family. There is quite a bit of repetition from previous posts.
I have not traced any formal documentation in the name of Blanche White. This is unsurprising as it is a stage name and has no legal standing. But I believe I can demonstrate that Ethel McCann was the first wife of the actor Leo White and must therefore be the same person as Blanche White.
Ethel Caroline McCann was born in Woolwich on 21 August 1892
Familysearch shows born in Woolwich 3Q 1892
Her father was James William McCann, born in Mauritius in 1851
His army service record, downloadable from www.findmypast.co.uk (payment required) confirms that he was a Roman Catholic and records his marriage to Mary Dunne (Dublin, 9 February 1879) and the birth dates of his children Elizabeth, Annie and James. He was discharged on 25 March 1890.
Ethel had five siblings:
Elizabeth, born Poona, India, 15 February 1880.
Annie, born Lucknow, India, 3 September 1882.
James Frederick, born Bareilly, India, 20 October 1888. Baptised in the R.C. Chapel at Bareilly.
Baptismal records for Elizabeth, Annie and James Frederick are here Baptismal Records McCanns.
Ada Mary, born West Ham, London 14 October 1890. Familysearch shows born in West Ham 4Q 1980
Linda Lilian, born Woolwich, London, 18 November 1895. Familysearch shows born in Woolwich 4Q 1895
In the 1891 UK census, James W, Mary, Elizabeth, Annie James F and Ada were living at 39 Marmadon Road, Plumstead, London
James W. Mary & Elizabeth Familysearch.
Annie, James F & Ada. Familysearch.

In the 1901 UK census, James W, Mary, Annie (now Mrs Precious), Ada, Ethel and Linda were at 43 Marmadon Road. Familysearch.
In the 1911 UK census, James W, Mary, Ada and Lilian were at 24 Brewery Road, Plumstead
Familysearch.

Nothing further has been found about Ethel in the UK between 1901 and 1909, either in online records or family archives.
Ethel travelled from the UK to the USA via Liverpool, Quebec  and Niagara Falls in 1909-1910. Details are given here Ethel Crossing Border from Canada to USA. These records are somewhat problematic; they are a ‘best fit’ with other known information about her, but she appears to be creative about her age (21 instead of 17) and relatives.
Familysearch records the marriage of ‘Reo. H. Weiss’ age 29, born in Berlin, Germany (parents Julius, Ada Heyman) to ‘Ethel E. Mc Cann’ age 23, born in London, England (parents James, Mary Dunn) on 3 May 1911 in Manhattan, New York. ‘Reo’ is most likely a transcription error of ‘Leo’. The birth date of actor Leo White is usually cited as November 10, 1882 e.g. Wikipedia, IMDb. If that is the case, he would have been only 28 at the time of his marriage. But some sources such as his WWI Draft Registration give the year of birth as 1881. Since he was born in Germany, it is likely that his surname at birth was ‘Weiss’ and this was later anglicised to ‘White’. So far, I have not found anything elsewhere about Leo to confirm the names of his parents. Give or take a final ‘e’, the parents’ names and birthplace are a good fit with Ethel from Woolwich. The middle initial ‘E’ instead of ‘C’ may be a transcription error. The same marriage record in www.findmypast.co.uk gives her first name as ‘Ethel E?’ indicating uncertainty. Here age is given as 23 and therefore an estimated birth year of 1888. At the time of this marriage, Ethel Caroline McCann would have been only 18 years old. This is not the first or last time that she has given an age inconsistent with her actual birth date. A record search finds no good match for an Ethel McCann, daughter of James McCann and Mary Dunn, born in 1888 +/- 1 year.
The 1920 census finds Leo Weiss, 38, Ethel C. Weiss, 27, Leo Weiss Jr, 8 and John Weiss, 5 at 5553-64 Hollywood Boulevard.  Familysearch.
The return shows Leo was born in Germany and both parents in East Prussia; he arrived in the US in 1903 and his occupation is ‘actor, motion pictures’. Ethel was born in England, her father in Scotland and her mother in Ireland; she arrived in the US in 1910 and her occupation is ‘actress, motion pictures. This looks a good match (allowing for the difference in Ethel’s stated age) with the couple married in 1911. Leo’s details match other published information about actor Leo White. Ethel’s details are a good match with Ethel from Woolwich. The only discrepancy is in her father’s birthplace. She may simply have been unsure about this; both her father and his father were military men who travelled extensively with their duties and it may have been difficult to keep track of who was born where. Her paternal grandfather was born in Ireland but married in Scotland and one of his daughters was born there. In other documents at various times, she gives her father’s birthplace as England or Scotland.
It has not been possible to track down a birth record for Leo Jr.; records may not be publicly available. https://www.reclaimtherecords.org/ . But a birth record exists for son John Frederick Weiss Familysearch. This shows the mother as Ethel Caroline McCann, aged 22.
By 1930, Leo and Ethel had separated. Most likely entry for Leo is here. He is rooming at 5724 Sunset Boulevard, but now under the name Leo White. He is 47, he and both parents are from Germany and he is a stage actor. This time, he states that he entered the US in 1899. The entry for Ethel and her two sons is here. They are at Hedvig apartments, 1819 North Kingsley Drive, Los Angeles. They are using the surname White. Details given are consistent with previous census data, except her father’s birthplace is given as England. Her mother’s birthplace is now given as Northern Ireland; the partition of Ireland took place on 3 May 1921 and Mary Dunne was born in Belfast.
Taking all these records together is, I believe, good evidence that Ethel McCann from Woolwich is the first wife of actor Leo White.
Ethel remarried in 1934. This is discussed here George Lewis Cooke White aka Bob or Bobo. The middle initial and parents’ names – even father’s middle name -confirm that this is the same Ethel that was previously married to Leo White, although she was again apparently being creative about her age, stating 34 rather than 42. In summary:
Ethel married George L Cooke-White, son of Edgar Mills White and Marietta Cooke, in Beverly Hills on 2 September 1934. Familysearch. George’s occupation at the time was ‘insurance underwriter’.
George was born in Manhattan on 28 February 1899. Familysearch. His name is given as George Curtis Cooke White; ‘Cooke’ here is a middle name rather than part of a hyphenated surname and ‘Curtis’ may be a mistranscription of ‘Lewis’. Parents’ names are same as in the marriage record.
The 1940 census finds George and Ethel at ‘Tract 383, Beverly Hills’; examination of the form indicates their address is 8950 Clifton Way, between North La Peer Drive and North Wetherly Drive. Ages and birthplaces are consistent with other records.  George is an ‘actor, motion pictures’ who earned $964 in 1939. (According to www.dollartimes.com that equates to $16,624.32 today.)
Ethel’s sons John (styling himself ‘Fred’) and Leo White are at 202 North La Peer Drive. Familysearch. ‘Fred’ is an ‘actor, motion pictures’ while Leo is a ‘shop foreman, venetian blinds’
Leo senior is at 822 North San Jose Street. Familysearch. Not only is he still using the surname White rather than Weiss, he also gives his birthplace as England. In view of events in Europe, he may have considered it politic to distance himself from any connection with Germany. His wife’s name ‘Maxine’ corresponds with information recorded elsewhere about his second marriage to Maxine Louise Furman. His age is shown as 51, when actually he would have been 57 or 58, depending on whether you take his birth year as 1881 or 1882. He is a ‘feature & character actor, motion picture studio stock'. He earned $2,500 in 1939, equivalent to $43,112.86 today.
Leo junior’s marriage record confirms his parents were Leo Herbert White, born in Germany and Ethel Caroline McCann, born in England. Familysearch. His occupation is given as ‘singer, show business’.
George died on 17 April 1962 in Los Angeles. Familysearch.
Ethel died on 5 October 1963 in Los Angeles. The record also includes her date of birth. Familysearch.
They are buried together in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery  San Diego, San Diego County, California, USA. Billiongraves.com has pictures of both headstones.
A number of family photographs survive with text on the back in Ethel’s own hand. These provide further confirmatory details. She consistently refers to her son’s as ‘Peter’ or some diminutive and John or Jack. ‘Peter’ may well be a family nickname adopted to avoid confusion since father and son were both called Leo. She refers to the older man in the photos as ‘Bob’ or ‘Bobo’ but this also appears to be a nickname and the details she gives are consistent with the biography of George Lewis Cooke White. There are references to Ada, Fred, Donald and Jack - her sister, brother and nephews in England. Some were taken in Beverly Hills and include specific street names.
Ethel Bob and Peter – Easter Sunday.
Ethel and Bob, Clark Drive, after 4 p.m. Sunday
Ethel having a bad hair day
Ethel and Jack – some years later
Ethel’s postcards of Mexican bandits
A few more cards from Ethel to Ada
A postcard of a church in Hollywood from Ethel to Ada
Peter at military school in Santa Monica
Peter and a friend
Peter in Alamagordo, New Mexico
Ethel’s “baby” – John Frederick
Ethel’s boy Jack in the army
A couple of Ethel’s boy Jack in uniform (photos only, no text)

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Baptismal Records - McCanns

These are for the children of James McCann and Mary Dunne born in India:
Elizabeth Margaret, born Poona, 15 February 1880, baptised 7 March
Annie, born Lucknow, 3 September 1882, baptised 16 September
James Frederick, born Bareilly, 20 October 1888, baptised 4 November




Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Ethel Crossing the border from Canada to USA

In a previous post I included a link which could be a match for Ethel migrating from Canada to the USA at Niagara Falls in 1910. This came from the Family Search website and was a transcription only, without copies of original documents. Find My Past has now added records of US/Canadian Border Crossings and these do give links to originals.
 
This is the passenger list. It shows Ethel's occupation as actress, which seems to confirm that this is the right person. Her nationality is given as "England" - she was born in Plumstead, SE London - and her race as Irish. This must have been the logic of the time; her mother was from Belfast and her paternal grandfather from Seago. It also indicates she was being creative not just about her age (21 when really 17) but also her family! As nearest relative, she gives a sister Alice DuBois living in Antwerp. This does not equate even loosely to any of her known family. So far, I have not found anything about Isabell Routhwell. Her address looks like 14-E, 16 Street, Buffalo.
This is a somewhat curious document. It shows the date of her arrival as 5/28/10 i.e. 28 May 1910. There is a box on the form "Section and Subdivision - Act of 1924". This placed restrictions on immigration according to country of origin and numbers already in the US in 1890. Presumably when the Act was implemented, it was necessary to compile retrospective records of who had already entered the US and from where.
These documents also point to another detail that has so far eluded me - her departure from the UK. This tells us that she arrived in Quebec in July 1909 on the Empress of Britain. It is therefore quite likely that Ethel sailed from Liverpool.
This is looking likely. Departed Liverpool 2 July 1909, arrived Quebec 9 July. Just 55 pages to trawl through. http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/immigration/immigration-records/passenger-lists/passenger-lists-1865-1922/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=5143&
And here it is on page 18. Not the clearest image, I'm afraid. As far as I can make out, she is listed as Caroline McCann, aged 21 (would actually only have been 16), with an intended occupation in Canada of "Domestic". Possibly this was to meet a criterion of assisted passage, which might not have applied had she described herself as an actress. Religion given as Roman Catholic, which suggests that this is our girl.
 
I had been curious how Ethel could have travelled from England to Canada and the USA quoting an age that was at variance with the facts. Wouldn't her passport have given the game away? I am indebted to Tom at http://www.passport-collector.com/ for this information:
Until the Great War no travel documents were required to enter USA. Later on passports were issued based on birth certificates and citizenship/naturalization documents.


Monday, July 25, 2016

Young Peter and a double drag act





I have posted the first picture previously as an "unknown" photo, but after further sorting I have come up with a couple more that were taken in the same place and very likely at the same time. It could be the garden at Bushey Avenue but I am not certain. The second photo is of "Peter with Jayne from next door, the day of the party". The people in the last photo look like a woman dressed as a man and vice versa. I had wondered if they were Celia and Jack, but wouldn't put money on it. In other photos of the two of them standing side by side, Jack is noticeably taller than Celia. But for the couple here, the difference in height is less pronounced.