Thread: Foreign Legion

Can anyone advise how to get information of past possible members of the Foreign Legion?

I have been hunting the death of my Great Grandfather JOSEPH JAMES MINETT for years now, and never found him at all.

It was suggested, that as there seemed to be a family rift of some kind, he went off and joined the Foreign Legion, only I have emailed them twice now via their website, but had no response at all from them.

Joseph was born 19th September 1855. Married in 1877, both events happened in Islington, Middlesex, UK. He is on the 1891 census still in Islington, but the 1901 he is no where to be found. His daughter Sophia who married in 1902, her marriage certificate states he is deceased. However this could be a deception, if he had been a bad boy, and she relinquished all ties to him, in her eyes he could be dead, but he could also have been very much alive.

A chance conversation my sister, who is in NZ, had with a visitior, suggested the Foreign Legion....... only they seem to be as elusive as Gt Grandfather!!

Hope some one can help and or advise, Thank you

Pauline44

Hello Pauline

Have you found the Joseph Minett born 1853 from Islington Middlesex an inmate St Mary's Islington Workhouse says he's a Horsekeeper, only thing is it also says he's a widower.

Kim

Hi Kimmy,

Yes we have seen and looked into the Horsekeeper Joseph Minett, and this is not he, unfortunately.

But thanks for you hunting time.

He has been a mystery for many years, even Mum, who died in 2006 age 94 spent hours at the archives in London, and nothing has ever been found on this elusive man. I hunted the Old Bailey, I've been in touch with Scotland Yard Archives, Islington Library, Hunted the BMD for myself many times in London, in case I or other family members missed anything, and he just isn't anywhere. The passport office won't help, as I don't have a death date. So that is the only thing, he could have gone abroad, but I have used up the passenger lists on Find my Past, and he is not on any of their lists. It really is a grope in the dark from now on. Hence the Foreign Legion, but the choose not to reply to my emails. I could carry on pestering, but do not feel it worth it, if that is their chosen way, or perhaps they are not permitted to tell of past members? I don't know how the Foreign Legion works/operates.



However thank you again for your help.



Pauline44

Hello Pauline

No exactly how you feel my grandfather eluded us for years, my granmother re-married and we could'nt find him anywhere. Turned out that he had run away to Scotland with someone then he killed himself, and because the Scottish records are different never showed up that was before the internet. Have you tried Scotland ?

Kim

Hi Kimmy,

No I have not tried Scotland at All, I believe there is a site now for searching in Scotland, do you have it by chance please.

I try any avenue, and don't know quite why we never did try Scotland, I guess as we have no real links, though saying that, my brother in law comes from Inverness. I will pass on the idea to my sister, and see what she can find, as I expect she has Scottish links for his family. Thank you again.



Pauline44

Hello Pauline

I do have access to Scottish records if you give me all details you have I will have a look for you.

Worth a try

Kim

JOSEPH JAMES MINETT



Born Islington, Middlesex, UK 19th September 1855 (father Alphonus Frederick MINETT, mother Sophia MINETT nee Cooke)

Joseph married 13th October 1877 to Eleanor Sears ROBINSON AT St Andrew's Islington, Middlesex UK.

1891 census Joseph is at Cornelia Street as married. but he is on his own. Eleanor is with Alphonus and Sophia with two of the three children. Sophia and AGE as it is on the census, but means Alphonso George Edward (my Grandfather)

Joseph was a Commercial Traveler for a Soap/Oil company, thought to be family owned. Joseph's mother died in 1893, and his father in 1896, and in the fathers Will, everything was left to Eleanor. Nothing for Joseph or his siblings at all. My sister has a copy of the will, but she lives in NZ. We have never known why Eleanor got everything, something awful we presume did happen, and Grandad was going to tell Mum what before he died, but he had a sudden death, and never related the story. Hence why we are having so much trouble now. Nothing else gives anything away in the Will. Though I will ask my sister to look again at whom the witnesses are.



I do have the tree on Genes Reunited, where we have had several connections with all branches of the tree, but as yet no one relating to Eleanor, though a lady did have something once, and never got back to my sister. It was an American in NZ who said she would contact when she got back, I hope she is safe where ever....... Gloomy thoughts........



Thank you again for saying you will look on the Scottish Side for me. I did try registering with Scottish People, but their site is down at present and got problems. Then they charge, which, is a bit difficult at present. Never mind. I hope you will not be incurring fee's on my account.



Regards

Pauline