Nursemaid for the Kaiser? - Help please?

[bevbee]

The family story goes that my Great Great Aunt Lydia Lewis who was living in Golden Grove, Llandeilo, went to Germany in the early 1900s to be nursemaid for the Kaiser.

She doesn't seem to have been away for long, but how can I find out more?

Are there passport details available for that period, or a shipping list or anything at all?

I don't know where to go with this one, but it would be really interesting to find out some more.

Any help or pointers would be very much appreciated,

Thank you,

Bev.

[osprey]

Findmypast.com has passenger lists for people leaving the UK 1890 - 1929. I've had a look for Lydia, but she doesn't show up. Putting in just L Lewis brings up over 4000 matches but none going to Germany. I'm not sure how complete these records are especially to Europe.
She could have joined the family in the UK possibly as the Kaiser used to visit the British royals.
Might be worth searching Rootschat for passports - I'm sure it's come up before.
Or posting in the Common Room as it's not county specific, where more people will see your query.

[aghadowey]

Kaiser Wilhelm II was born 1859 and his children were born between 1882-1892. Could she have gone to look after some of the children? It was quite common to have 'English' nannies but the nursery staff would have had under-nursemaids, etc. as well as the nanny.

[bevbee]

Thank you,

Yes Aghadowey, I think she must have gone to look after the Kaiser's children. Some years ago my father wrote to a man who had written a book about the family and had a lot of info. on them, but unfortunately he couldn't find anything on Lydia.

Thank you Osprey I will try posting in the Common room - I'll also try to plough through the passenger lists!

Many thanks,

Bev.

[bevbee]

On checking my Great Grandfather's diary it's actually an entry for 1891 which says "Lydia in Germany", so it's earlier than I had thought.

My Great Uncle Alfie said she was at that location as "Nursemaid to Kaiser Wilhelm".

Don't know whether this makes it harder or easier!