Constantinople, Turkey

[JillStatton]

I am about to delve into my DESVIGNES family of architects who were resident in Constantinople in 18th and 19th centuries.  I have no further info except that children were born there around the turn of the century, ie. circa 1800.

Does anyone have any helpful advice re available resources?

With thanks,

Jill Statton

[ShaunJ]

There seems to be a fair amount of information available on Google and Google books.

There are these MI's from St Mary Lewisham

http://www.kentarchaeology.org.uk/Research/Libr/MIs/MIsLewisham/01.htm

"78. A large alter tomb of granite: On north side 3 compartments Left In loving memory of Frederick Charles son of Peter Hubert DESVIGNES born September 10th 1844 died May 1 1876 Centre In loving memory of Peter Hubert Desvignes born April 29th 1804 died December 27th 1883 Right Also of
Mary Frances wife of Peter Hubert Desvignes died November 28 1850 aged 38 years. On west end: In memory of George Lewis died April 1 1843 | aged 3 years. | Also of George Christopher died January 26th 1844 aged 7 months children of Peter Hubert Desvignes"

"
266. Altar tomb To the memory of | Sophia Ann DESVIGNES | daughter of Elize Hubert and Desphinous Desvignes of this Parish who departed this life | November 28th 1816 | aged 5 years and 7 months. Augustine Desphinous Desvignes mother of the above who died August the 19th 1825 in her 36th year a native of Constantinople. John Theophilus Desvignes who departed this life on the 13th of November 1837 aged 13. Elize Hubert Desvignes husband of the late Augustine Desphinous and father of the above children obt the 25th of March 1844 aged 70. George Lewis Desvignes born 16th April 1810 died at Vienna 1st April 1843. George Christopher Desvignes born 26th June 1813 died at Vienna 26th January 1844(?)(LAS manuscript says 1844) Sons of Peter Hubert and Mary Frances Desvignes and grandsons of the above E.H. and A.D. Desvignes"

See also reports of the Naturalisation Bill of 1831 http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=17008#s6

[JillStatton]

Thanks Shaun.  I seem to have exhausted all family information readily available in UK.  Now I must tackle the Greek/Turkish part and was hoping to hear from someone who may have already trodden the path for which I am searching.

How does one go about discovering biographical details of British repats resident in Greece or Turkey during the Ottoman Empire?

[ShaunJ]

British repats resident in Greece or Turkey

I'm not sure about the "British" bit. Elise Hubert Desvignes ( who was a diamond merchant) is described as a foreigner in court reports. Peter and George were naturalised in 1831.

You could try a catalogue search at Turkey''s National Archives http://www.devletarsivleri.gov.tr/katalog/

The site is in Turkish but you could use Google toolbar or a similar service to translate it for you

[JillStatton]

The DESVIGNES family were originally from France before the French Revolution, but Elise Hubert DESVIGNES and his wife were both born in London, although his early life was spent in Turkey: several of their children were born overseas, hence the Naturalisations.  The family certainly considered themselves British.

Thanks for the Turkish site.

[ShaunJ]

The Parliamentary Archives has an 1812 Act for naturalizing Elisee Hubert Desvignes

The reference is 52 George III, c. 32  HL/PO/PB/1/1812/52G3n144  1812

http://www.parliament.uk/archives/

From the 14 April 1831 Journal of the House of Lords ( http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=17004 ) and from the MI at St Mary's Lewisham it seems clear  that Elise's wife Augustine Desphinou was a native of Constantinople.

[JillStatton]

Thanks Shaun, I have pursued references you mention but family history says otherwise.  However I should re-iterate that it is the DESVIGNES family in Greece or Turkey in which I am interested at this point.

The Turkish site appears to contain nothing relevant.

Is there anyone out there who has pursued Turkish research for aliens?

[eralc1968]

Hi,

My sister has a very old photograph album containing pictures of Hither Hall (the old home of the Desvignes family).  There are various views of the amazing property plus a photograph of a woman with two young girls.  At the back of the album there is a photograph of the family tomb in Lewisham, south London.  Would you be interested in learning more about the contents of the album and how my sister came by it?  We feel it should be returned to a relative of the Desvignes family.

Regards,

Clare

[eralc1968]

Jill,

Please contact me again at:-

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Thanks.

Clare.

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