Emile and Joseph Massa

[Caistergirl]

Good morning all, I am trying to solve a mystery for a friend whose family are desperate for more information than they have, I have done. A lot of searching , but, only found a small amount of info.
From oral history Emile was from Belgium.
 in 1910 in Toxteth Park ,Lancashire he married Margaret Cooch , we know his occupation was a car engine fitter, his father was called Joseph who was a superintendent of a sugar factory.
According to the oral history the family were told. He left home when Felicite his daughter was a tiny baby to, "fight for his country "  never to be seen again.  I have searched everywhere I can think of , no trace of him nor his father. Can anyone help please. I did wonder if they were in fact German , but can't u derstand how. They can just disappear .

[Milliepede]

Is he on the 1911 census with a place of birth and when was his daughter born?

I see Margaret and daughter but with her family not with her husband.

[sugarbakers]

Welcome to RootsChat, Caistergirl.

No evidence of Joseph Massa in the Liverpool (or any other) refineries, though it has to be remembered that employee records have not survived.

Agree, Milliepede, not with family in 1911, and as yet I've not found evidence of Emile or Joseph in the censuses. If he's left already, it's rather too early to be "fighting for his country".

I wonder if this post would be better moved to another Board - Europe, perhaps.

[Caistergirl]

This is what is so odd , no he wasn't there for the 1911 census , nor any other census. Apart from the marriage we wouldn't know he is in the country. What we have to remember is the information we have is what his daughter Felicite was told.  Goodness knows what the truth actually was.
Any help you can give me, any tips, advice , I will be very grateful for. I would love to solve this family mystery for the family. Thank you for your input

Caistergirl

[Spidermonkey]

How old was Emile when he married?

Welcome to Rootschat, Caistergirl!

[Caistergirl]

Hello there, thank you so much for your speedy response , according to the marriage certificate he was 38 , his wife Margaret was 27 , but every census since her age was different . In 1911 she said she had been married for 3 years. I know this is going to take some unravelling, I would love it , if you can shed. Some light on Emile if only a little.

Thank you for your time

[avm228]

Welcome from me too.

Who were the witnesses to the marriage?

Did Emile say he was a bachelor? What was his residence at the time of the marriage?

[Caistergirl]

Hi , I am amazed at the overwhelming response I am getting, thank you so much , both Emile and Margaret lived at the same address  123, act street , Toxteth Park he a bachelor she a spinster, witnesses were t or j Mackridge  and Elizabeth Brooke . The handwriting is the same throughout the certificate, they didn't seem to sign it , and no mention of their mark etc.

[haliared]

Do you have the birth certificate of Felicite? Emile may have gone by another name, and if he registered the birth at least you will have a more up to date address for him.