Andre Kaya also known as Louis Luscombe

[Marianne Isaacs]

Recently while going through an old family album I came across a publicity shot if a very smooth looking man with the most amazing moustache . It was enshrined to my cousin Rose from your cousin Andre Kaya ( louis) London1930. Rose was Rose Rapke my grandmother . Louis is Australian and he became quit a successful tenor . They both lived in Melbourne Australia . I have no idea how Louis is related to Rose as so far as I know her parents Nathan and Pearl Rapke  arrived from Poland in 1889 they were Jewish refugees from the pogroms hitting Poland at that time . There were no other family members so far as I know but I wonder if Louis Luscombe and his family may have also been Jewish refugees and maybe even the reason the family came to Australia . A mystery . Louis certainly looked fascinating though 😊

[Mabel Bagshawe]

Andre Kaya is noted in Welsh newspapers as performing in the area on a number of occasions between 1900 and 1910. he is often described as Polish (and a baritone rather than a tenor)

[Mabel Bagshawe]

This might help as it appears to give his birth name - the town of residence fits with a death for Andre in 1945, showing he was b c1875

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C11941906

Added - and this related entry in a list of those seeking naturalisation in the London Gazette shows it is your Andre

Leszczynski, Anton Ludwick (known as Andre Kaya)  Russia; Professional singer and  Teacher of  Singing;  42, Strafford Road, Barnet. 29 March, 1924

And 1911 census entry - gives a place of birth

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XWLK-JPR

All may help you make the links

[Marianne Isaacs]

That certainly does look like my Andre . He came from Karlish which is where the Rapke family came from . Thank you so much for your rapid reply . This is really exciting . I have long wondered about Andre . How would I find out who his  parents were and how they are related to Rose . Roses mother was Pearl Opas .can I find out about his life I wonder ?

[Mabel Bagshawe]

I can't help you with European questions - not my area - but you could try the Europe board here

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/europe/

[willsy]

There's a piece in Trove with a photo of him

 24 Jun 1899

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01hod/

born 1873, came to Australia when he was 13 and gives original surname. He had already had some success in Europe...

[willsy]

There's a sister Bertha Luscombe mentioned too, wondered if we could find parents looking at Bertha. Just found her so looking!

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01hoe/

[willsy]

There's an obituary in Trove, only mentions sister Bel

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01hof/

the following year in memory of him, she referers to him as brother and pal.....Bel Preshner

She married Morris Preshner, he died 1950's

Believe this his him

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XWG1-GVX

and he and Bel travel from England 6 Nov 1954

[willsy]

Lots in the paper for the Preshner's, burial as Bel 1961, refs  and military records on Australian National archives for Morris but I didn't see a marriage. They had one son who sadly died young.

https://billiongraves.com/grave/Bel-PRESHNER/5137584#