Robert Stevens photographer

[sparrett]

I think the signatures have some factors in common.
Although not every corresponding letter is identical, there is a certain overall style which both have.
Some individual letters as I see it, are very much alike- the big bellied R and the stroke of the t which misses.
As a left handed person, myself, I wonder if the writer was left handed.
It was highly desirable in the well-educated script, that here be a forward slant to the writing. Left handers find this difficult and I do note the desired slant is absent in both signatures.

ADDING- Can you comment Betty?

As to the ages of the siblings and Robert's place in the time-line of them-
At this stage the evidence is showing he is a nephew, not a child of Walter Earle SEALE.

Birth of Robert Edward SEALE (proposed as father to Robert who married WILKINS).

from India Births and Baptisms
Name-Robert Edward Seale
Christening on- 18 Jan 1843
At Nusseerabad, Bengal, India
Birth Date   09 Sep 1842
Father's Name-   Robert Henry Seale
Mother's Name-   Sarah Emma

This link posted earlier by CoL gives the same parents for Walter Earle SEALE
https://www.myheritage.com/names/walter_seale

With that in mind, it would be easy to be confused or to make small fudges of the truth


Sue

[cupoflife]

I note that on Roberts Army record birth was 1886 (Sheila's year of birth)
Robert Stevens (in Australia) used 1895 which was Hilda's year of birth (from marriage). Did we find a birth/baptism for Hilda?
We have Sheila 1886 date of birth/baptism and Hilda 1895 (from marriage and death) are probably correct as witnesses on both marriages were Walter, Kathleen, Colin

Robert and Colin had the same enlistment date 26 July 1905.
Colin bought his discharge, and left under some sort of cloud.
Also Walter, Kathleen, Sheila or Hilda were not witnesses on Robert or Colins marriages.
I am leaning toward Colin=Robert

Adding: Betty what age did your dad look when he died?

[sparrett]

  Did we find a birth/baptism for Hilda?
 

I do not recall seeing such.
Only a year given by implication (#93 muss) in death notice
"aged 25 years" 1920

Sue

[cupoflife]

Thanks Sue  you have raised some good points for Betty to ponder and provide some feedback.
For me, the fact that Walter, Kate (Kathleen), Sheila, Hilda, appear on Army papers, No Robert, only Walter, Kathleen, Colin are witnesses on both Sheila and Hilda's marriage.
If I am correct Robert (Stevens in Australia) knew the full name of the maternal line, Kathleen Anne Johnston (not the maternal side of possible cousin Robert Seale), this makes me inclined to think it has to be a member of the family and not a cousin, so for me, I see Colin as the main point of focus.

[BettyBoops]

I think the light bulb has just been turned on, thanks CoL.
Regarding the signatures. Both my daughter (who will comment soon) and I see strong similarities. Dad/Robert always wrote in the upright style - and I'm wondering if it is because he also learnt to write the native language, which is very vertical. Colin Seale's signature is very close to his style. And he was right handed
No birth records for Hilda Seale. I see she died of Septicism. I'm going to be dying of scepticism at this rate!
I'm meeting with the local lady at the Historical Society on Friday afternoon. Her expertise is in India/Military. From what I can gather her husband lived in the same street (1940's) as is on Robert's Military form. How spooky
Which brings me to the parents' names on the form, which is written in bolder ink. Unfortunately, I can't do any more comparisons on them until Friday afternoon (Perth time).
Shouldn't we be double-checking on Colin's movements? I'm sure there is a Colin who went to England. It's just I don't want to get too excited yet.
I just can't see Robert Stevens being related to Robert Edward who married Saburan, assuming she was black haired and olive compexion, as Dad/Robert was white where his shorts went and none of us (4 daughters and I as I'm an only child) have any "colouring" to our complexions.
Anything else? The ideas and questions you come up with are very helpful. Who needs sleep when there's so much excitement in one's life

[cupoflife]

Hi Betty,
Can you see this image (camera icon)? Can we rule this out?
http://tinyurl.com/h4svsle
   
Colin Seale
United Kingdom, Chelsea Pensioners' Service Records
Name: Colin Seale
Event Type: Pension
Event Year Range: 1760-1913
Event Place: United Kingdom
Birthplace   India
Birth Year (Estimated): 1887

CoL

[BettyBoops]

I thought I remembered something of this nature. Do we ignore him based on a different birth year? Betty

[cupoflife]

...Do we ignore him based on a different birth year so far none of Robert dates are set in concrete 
 

[rosball]

Robert Stevens 6 months before he died - posted on behalf of Betty