Massive Mystery .... Spanish Immigrant???

[Luckyme]

First, let me start by saying if you solve this, or can even shed some light on this, then we'll be eternally grateful!! I hope I explain this well....

My partner is John Finnie

His mother and father are David Finnie and Anthea F Browne

http://trees.ancestry.co.uk/tree/71826358/family

We are trying to find out where the DeOwenslly/De Oweneley Came from.

What we know: DeOwensley (and it's other variants on this tree) is a completely made up name, not showing up anywhere else in the world. There are currently only about 4 males with this name left alive. - So, if you find posts from another guy with this name, he's part of the family and we know about him. I think he lives in Dorset.

The story is that Gurvilliam/Guilliame came to England in 1903/1904 with his father Jasper, apparently on a ship, which Jasper was the captain.

I can't find any records at all for Jasper at all

When Gurvilliam died, his wife had to hand his documents into the Spanish Embassy. Apparently, the man receiving the documents commented that it's best not ask anything about his life and to leave things be.....

There's also Katrina/Katerona/Katrona Maslova kicking about but we're not sure where she fits in. One of Gurvilliam's daughters has Maslova as a middle name.

I have the 1911 census copy stating that they lived in gateshead and Gurvilliam had been in the country 7 years. Also I have the death record for him and the probate record but it doesn't point out any other info.,

Anyone got a clue where we should start looking next??

[rosie99]

Not sure what information this would give or who it refers to 

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C8327612

[Luckyme]

Well, I'd better order a copy and check it out. Thanks! x

[rosie99]

Just noticed the date of birth - probably the child born 1923 

[Luckyme]

Do you think, as it's about Seamen's records, and there's discharge papers, that he was part of the Military navy?

[amberdog]

Yes, BT, stands for Board of Trade and relates to all things Merchant Navy.

Edit: I believe the 372/ files are the Seaman's Pouch and should list probably ship numbers or names he served on, likely in WW2.

[Luckyme]

Great, that means we can look at merchant navy stuff as he's probably followed in his dad's footsteps. Thank you! x

[Maggsie]

Hi,
Arthur was born in 1923 and Barbara 1919.
I think that record link is for Arthur on Oil ships to the USA, he was an AB.
1956 seems to be the dates of these records.
I can't seem to get anything from  the birth of the 2 children.
Maggsie

[Luckyme]

Thanks x Yeah, it's really hard trying to find anything with that name. We've been trying to think what the background story could be. There was talk of a possible shipwreck and that's how Gurvilliam ended up in the UK, but apparently he was also a bit of a Walter Mitty-type character so everything that he said was taken with a pinch of salt! A name-change and a country move suggests running away from something..... but what? It's so annoying!!