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Beginners => Family History Beginners Board => Topic started by: Marcus Heslop on Monday 22 January 18 13:44 GMT (UK)
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I'm researching the life and career of Guy Standeven, one of the most prolific actors in British history.His parents were Marcus Clifford Whitely Standeven and Dorothy Standeven (née Robinson) He was born in Scarborough in 1928 but spent his formative years in Harrogate and died in Hammersmith in 1998 after living in Hampton Wick for the last twenty years of his life. He was a member of the White Rose Players from February, 1944, and later joined the West Riding Theatre. After army service he moved to London to become an actor. He was one of the most prolific actors in British history as he probably did over 1000 appearances' in all mediums. He marries Lynn Redgrave to James Mason in Georgy Girl, plays a rebel council member in Return of the Jedi and sits on the board of directors in the Elephant Man amongst many other appearance. His most high profile role was in the children's TV series Knightmare as a talking wall/Troll and he's fondly remembered by his colleagues who have kindly replied to my questions but I know little about his family or personal life. I'm writing an article about him and would love to hear from any friends or relatives of this unsung hero of the entertainment industry. Any information at all would be greatly appreciated.
Your sincerely
Marcus Heslop
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Have you got a copy of his death certificate to see who the informant was:
Marcus Guy W Standeven, born 28th August, 1928, died in October quarter 1998 in Hammersmith, Greater London
Register Number: 7C District and Subdistrict: 2311C Entry Number: 288
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In 1950 he was living in Harrogate at 14 Cold bath road with Dorothy and Leslie.
Are you sure his Father was Marcus?
Marriages September quarter 1925
Dorothy Robinson Halifax 9a 1135
Leslie Standeven Halifax 9a 1135
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This looks like Marcus C W's marriage:
Marriages September quarter 1946
Mary Heap Calder
Marcus C W Standeven Calder
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There's quite a bit in the papers but in
The Stage 08 September 1988
there's also a photo of him playing the troll, just in case you hadn't come across the clip
Quite some career looking on IMBD.
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Thanks for all the reply's, great information, thank you. I must have been wrong about his fathers name. It's wonderful to see his early address so thank you for that. I have the article with the picture of Guy as a Troll, thank you. His IMDB page (which currently stands at 215) has grown from watching numerous TV and Films trying to spot him and then posting them on the site. Only last night I came across a new picture of him as a prison chaplain in McVicar so that will have to be added. My ultimate goal is to speak to any living relatives. I'm in written correspondence with a friend of his from Hampton Wick who informed me of his partner Felicity Andrews who I know nothing about so that's another avenue to explore.
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FreeBMD lists another Standeven/Robinson birth; a female in 1933 in Halifax. As she could still be living I won't show her name but it might be worth following her line. :-\
There is a likely marriage for her in 1960 in Surrey; possibly not as female with same name born in the area.
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Thank you, what's the information on the 1960 marriage?
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Can't help I'm afraid, you would need to buy a copy from the GRO. People could still be alive so won't name the groom.
I suspect the bride could be a female Standeven with same initials but born in Croydon in 1935.
FreeBMD.... https://www.freebmd.org.uk/
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A copy of his birth certificate will confirm his parents.
Marcus G W Standeven DecQ 1928 Scarbro' 9d 550
You can get a PDF from GRO for £6.00 at the moment; usually arrives in a few days.
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Thank you, I may just do that. So let's reiterate what we do know. Guys father wasn't called Marcus? Guy had a sister called Patrica, born in 1933? who married someone with the surname Reeves in 1960 in Surrey?
Is that correct?
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Not quite; there was a female Standeven/Robinson born (1933), who is probably his sister, but the marriage in 1960 could be for another Standeven female (with a similar set of initials), who was born in 1935 in Croydon, which is more likely for a Surrey marriage but without certificates it is impossible to prove.....or disprove.
These could be his parents:
Leslie Standeven SeptQ 1925 Halifax 9a 1135 Bride: Dorothy Robinson
these could also be the parents of the child born in 1933 in Halifax.
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I see, well I will see what comes up next, thank you. All very interesting. I would love to speak to a relative so it may just happen at this rate.
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I thought that the marriage was more likely the P Standeven born in 1935 in Croydon.
But,
on GenesReunited in someone's tree is P Standeven born 1933, and the name of the tree owner is S Rxxxxs, apparently born 1960 (1961 on free bmd).
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Does Guy appear on this family tree?
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I cannot see Guy in his family tree - but I cannot see the actual tree, I can only look for specified people and then search for who has them in their trees.
The tree put in by S Rxxxxs might only contain himself and his 2 parents
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Try 192.com and Yeovil.
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Found a production which features a Dorothy Standeven in the Harrogate Shakespearean Society
Harrogate Herald 19 November 1947
Small piece about the production and photo of her
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I do not know if this will be of any help to you but there is a tree on Ancestry which lists him. Unfortunately no other siblings are mentioned. The tree concentrates on his mother Dorothy Robinson's side of the family. It appears to be well researched and includes living relatives. Possibly cousins of Guy.
The Robinson family seems to have been theatrical.
You can send me a PM for further information.
Dorrie
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I have sent you a PM, thank you.
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Thanks to this great website and the people who replied to this message I was finally able to locate Guy's sister and nephew who are alive and well. My biography on Mr Standeven, tentatively titled Who's that Guy?, is going from strength to strength. I will acknowledge the website of course in the book and individuals who replied as well. If they wish to supply their real names you can email me at . Otherwise I will use the usernames on the forum.
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That is great news that you now have contact with Guy's sister and nephew and that your book is progressing well.
No one on this forum expects any more than a thank you and you have already done that. We are here to assist others with family research in any way we can.
Good luck for the future.
Dorrie
P.S. Please let us know when your book is published.
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Marcus, you should remove your email address from your reply #20. RootsChat doesn't allow them as this is an open forum. Anyone who wants to contact you can do it by RC's personal message system.
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I wonder if anyone can help with this request. It's a shot in the dark but here goes. In 1974 Guy appeared in a series of plays at the Royal Court. It was part of the Young Observers Magazine Competition in which winning playwrights could get their plays performed by a professional cast and crew. There were 7 plays performed and I've managed to track down four of the writers. The three remaining are Sheila Wright who was 11 at the time and wrote a piece called Maggie's Fortune and Mark Edwards who was 15. His play was called Big Business. The third chap was James Clarke who I've tracked down but have yet to receive a reply. He's a musician now. Can anyone help trace Sheila and Mark?
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Marcus,
It is against RootsChat rules to search for living folk. I have removed your email address we ask folk not to publish as this is how spammer pick up on your details.
Sarah
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Sorry Sarah. I didn’t realise that was against the rules. I will try other avenues.
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My book on Guy Standeven is available from Amazon from today. Thanks again to everyone that helped.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08FP54XCW/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=who%E2%80%99s+that+guy&qid=1597664645&sr=8-2
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That is great news that Marcus and I will look into buying a copy.
Our pleasure on here to have helped.
Take care,
Dorrie