Robert Stevens photographer

[cupoflife]

Hi  Betty

   In post #29  you stated your father had been left money in a will. Could the will have been Colin's ?.
   Muss

Betty,
What else can you remember about this money left to your father in a will?
Approx. what year are we talking about?
Was there a funeral that your family/dad attended around this time frame?
Was there talk about who it was, that left this money? Family? Friend? Male? Female? Australia? Overseas?...does anything come to mind?

CoL

[cupoflife]

Hi Betty,
Did your father ever talk about the Army? or mention any family/friend that served?
Did he ever mention living family? or talk about the deaths of parents, siblings etc?
Was there any mention of nephews or nieces on your dads side?

CoL

[BettyBoops]

If it's the Colin who died in more recent times, No. I don't know where I got the impression from but I thought it was way back in the 1920s. Thatd make it Hilda or mother. Sorry CoL. Betty

[BettyBoops]

CoL - Nada. The only thing ever said relating to the army was the way he slept. Always on his back with arms folded. The reason was because if you rolled off the planks you'd be face down in the mud.

[BettyBoops]

I'm really sorry for the lack of information as it frustrates me that there was such a secret life which has gone to my parents graves.

[BettyBoops]

I've had another email from the Australian FIBIS lady. Her suggestions are:

Perhaps you could look towards DNA. Check out Family Tree maker DNA. If there is no male descendants then look at the autisimal? (not sure if that is the correct spelling) option. Without concrete evidence it will be very hard to prove, especially the lack of baptismal records. However I think I advised you to go to an LDS Family history centre and access the Bengal births and baptisms VIA The familysearch catalogue as the digitised images are available online BUT only at the centres not online from home.

So, I think, and especially as I wasn't keen to go there, I'll can going to the Uni and try and get in on Tuesday or Wednesday to the LDS about 50mins from here. I feel it could be a much more rewarding visit. There is a local one, but I think I'd be better off heading to the main centre. I may also need some divine intervention!!    Cheers, Betty

[BettyBoops]

And a reply from The British Library -
Thank you for submitting your enquiry to The British Library Asian & African Reference Service. You will receive a reply within 5 working days.

Cheers, Betty

[sparrett]

If someone fabricates a life and also changes their name, it can only be because there is something to conceal.

If a chap is seriously "in disgrace" would parents acknowledge him in a will?

Well, yes maybe if they were aware of and supportive/agreeable to the deception being in place.

If they were not supportive/agreeable  and did not know about it, then he would be untraceable to them for the purpose of receiving the bequest. Lost in Australia under a different name.

We know the HAYNE knew of the fabrication, but when Robert spoke on the phone in Hindi (or Urdu) I wonder if it was a call to overseas.

Who did the recipient of the call think was on the other end? STEVENS or SEALE?

 I seem to remember (correct me if I'm wrong, Betty), when a trunk call was placed the recipient was spoken to first by the operator who said something like " I have a trunk call for Mr..... from Wentworth, will you take the call?" Then the connection was made.

The person who received  the call which Robert STEVENS made using an Indian language must have known where he was- Australia. So if it was a family member, someone knew the truth about him


Sue

[cupoflife]

Hi Betty,
Re: barbados SEALE line.
How many Colin SEALE's were in his line and if so when were their deaths? Is the Colin SEALE Camberwell death 1967 his line? Can we elminate that Colin SEALE?

CoL