Illusive Grandad! Henry Jesse Lovell

[jorose]

He might have borrowed the name "Henry Jesse Lovell" but have been a Henry/Harry - more common for people to change the last name or add middle names.

In addition, it seems more unlikely he completely made up all his details, so  a 'Kathleen Pritchard' or variants married to a 'Charles' might be who we're looking for. Pritchard might not be her maiden name, though - could be a stepfather's name, etc, and 'Charles' could be a stepfather or other male relative not his birth father.

Do you have anything from NZ which might give his birthdate? Very unusual for that to change even if years shift around.

[Geraldine Girl]

No birth dates at all Im afraid.We dont even know his birthday . Maybe Charles Henry or Henry Charles could be the Dad,s name.Like you say he hopefully didnt make all the names up! In the obituary it says went to sea at age 12 ,well the real HJL didnt. Im sure thats the reason my father joined the Navy for WW2 as his Father said he was in the Navy. All we know is family lore, born in London,had a connection to Wales,born around 1880 or earlier and his Father was in the Merchant Navy. If a person changes his identity there has to be a reason for that.Maybe he went AWOL during the War ? The penalty for running away was death,so maybe?? Cousins over 30 years ago went to Catherine House to find his records so they could work in UK but after spending days there looking we realised then he wasnt who he said he was.

[Fresh Fields]

Family likeness and old photos

Was there a strong family likeness in any photos you have through the generations.? Any in any sort of uniform? Would it be possible to pick him out in band photos? What instrument/s did he play? Presumably was trained some where to play.

Registry wedding so presume was not a Salvation Army Church member and member of a Salvation Army Silver Band of Hope. Sally's normally keep good records.

Art & photography, any of his works survive ? What were the subjects ? Or was he just on an organizing committee and his lot fell to being a guest judge of some classes?

Clutching at straws.

- Alan.

[Geraldine Girl]

The family likeness between HJL and my Father and Uncle was very strong indeed.One of my brothers also has the look.Also you can see it it in 2 of my sons. We have a picture of HJL in Band Uniform that has been professionally coloured.Not sure if he coloured it or someone else. It is thought he coloured photos as a hobby ,my Father did also. Think Photography was the same. I saw a photo of Geraldine Silver Band this morning in the 1930s and hes not named in it,there is an older man in a suit in the front row that sort of looks like him but hes named someone else.I have a piece from a programme of the Geraldine Band Contest in 1934 and hes named as a bandsman and on the committee. In the town HJL came from ( the real HJL ) they had a band ,workers played in it . Apparently the instruments are easy enough to learn and play as only a few notes unlike piano ,violin etc. I see in Papers Past he was on a committee for Geraldine Boy Scouts.Dabbled in so many things!!!! The photo I have of him in Band Uniform ,he has coloured ribbons like war ones so I emailed a Local Band with the photo to ask if this was a band or war set.

[Fresh Fields]

Hello again.

That being the case you will find the photo restore, and date forum within this site, very obliging and extremely knowledgeable. They have gone out of their way to assist me, and give new life to some old photos I came by.

Admittedly those photos were probably over 100 years, and some of the ones that may assist your quest could involve the living, but there is still the ability to Private Message some of the active forum members on that forum.

A quick look through the threads there will show you the range of assistance that can be had.

Old school photos in the period of your quest, and supposed localities, could also be another straw to follow up for ideas. Are there any of the "real" HJL and who were his class mates ?

Regards,

Alan.

PS.  If there is a very strong identifying family likeness trait perhaps you could "innocently" publish an unnamed copy of a photo of your Grand Dad, asking if anyone recognised the person, and publish it on Rootschat or on a local web page, in the areas of your research. Could also ask for an estimate of the date of the photograph.

For the age you believe he was when he arrived in NZ,  he could well have left progeny behind in his home area, or as a sailor, at his ports of call.

PSS Later. Excuse my naivety, from what I can find online tonight, we in NZ were better primary schooled for all comers, and with a good supply of school class photos surviving, though I have to admit a lot of our surviving 1890's class photos do not name the pupils there in. For named subjects one has to seek out school milestone anniversary books and booklets.

[Geraldine Girl]

Thanks Allan, Im not sure what you mean by the photos,could you clarify please? Did you mean for me to post a photo of Dad suggesting it was HJL? I dont have any pics of Dad as a child.I hadnt thought of school pics actually,he went to Geraldine School so maybe I can access those? The earliest pic of HJL I have is of him with his baby daughter.He would be in his 50s then. HJL's sister Annie went to Moreland St School it seems .Photos are rare in London back then . Are you thinking I should post on the UK Rootschat forum ? Or the town HJL lived in may have a site

[Fresh Fields]

Will PM you - Alan.

[isobelw]

Who was Annie?
Isobel

[Geraldine Girl]

HJL had a sister Annie Isobell