Gabriel Tschumi

[GTResearcher]

Not too long a go I purchased a very nicely bound manuscript recipe book which supposedly belonged to Gabriel Tschumi. Whilst the manuscript was sold as categorically in his hand, I am doing my own research into this.

Gabriel Tschumi was originally from Switzerland and came to England in 1899 at the age of 16. He was an apprentice in the Royal Kitchens and served under Queen Victoria, King Edward VII and King George V, later working as chef to Queen Mary at Marlborough House.

From researching I have found the following:

1899 - Arrives in England aged 16
1906 - Marries first wife Charlotte Lewis.
1911 - Appears in census, living with Charlotte.
1912 - Only daughter born, Marie Gabrielle L Tschumi.
1929 - First wife Charlotte Tschumi dies.
1931 - Marries second wife Violet Hammond.
1932 - Retires from Royal service.
1933 to 1943 - Works as Chef for the Duke of Portland at Welbeck Abbey.
1946/47 - Becomes Chef to Queen Mary at Marlborough House.
1952 - Retires
1954 - With help from Joan Powe publishes his book entitled Royal Chef: Recollections of a Life in Royal Households from Queen Victoria to Queen Mary.
1957 - Gabriel Tschumi dies aged 74.
1974 - Second wife Violet Tschumi dies.
1987 - Only daughter Marie Gabrielle L Tschumi dies. Does not appear to have married or had a child.

From looking at where he worked, previous family members and those he knew such as Joan Powe I have tried to find a proven source of his handwriting which could be used for comparison with that of the manuscript book. However I have only so far found one possible source.

The 1911 census contains what appears to possibly be two sets of handwriting. The two words "Moudon, Switzerland" does have a close resemblance to that of the handwriting in the manuscript book. However I require further handwriting to be sure that this is by his hand.

Joan Powe, an Australian journalist, who helped Gabriel Tschumi write his published book may have also written some reference numbers into the manuscript note book. So any handwriting belonging to her would also be of great help.

If anyone has any ideas where I could contact or research into to come across proven handwriting by Gabriel Tschumi it would be very much appreciated.

[despair]

Welcome to Rootschat.

I wonder if his will was handwritten or contained handwritten elements?

Regards
Roger

[mckha489]

Signature on the original marriage certificates. Not the GRO copies,

[IgorStrav]

And welcome to Rootschat! 

[avm228]

Welcome from me too.

The parish register for the 1906 marriage, complete with signatures, can be seen on Ancestry (among its Surrey Church of England Marriages & Banns 1754-1933).

[avm228]

Incidentally the daughter’s full name was Marie Gabrielle Louise Tschumi, per GRO Online index.

[avm228]

See also the 1911 census, for which the returns completed and signed by the householder are online.

[GTResearcher]

Firstly, thank you for all the welcomes and help so far.

Welcome to Rootschat.

I wonder if his will was handwritten or contained handwritten elements?

Regards
Roger

I forgot to mention that I had requested his will, turns out there sadly wasn't one.

Welcome from me too.

The parish register for the 1906 marriage, complete with signatures, can be seen on Ancestry (among its Surrey Church of England Marriages & Banns 1754-1933).

I will take a look at this thank you, I looked on Ancestry but did not come across this.

See also the 1911 census, for which the returns completed and signed by the householder are online.

I have a copy of the 1911 census for his household. Which comprised of him and his wife. It seems to feature two different handwriting styles possibly.

The words "Moudon, Switzerland" on the census for birthplace do closely match that of the handwriting in the manuscript book.

Edit - After avm228 pointed out the location of the marriage certificate I have compared the signature on the census and the signature on the marriage certificate with that on the manuscript and they do seem to have large similarities. Thank you avm228 for this as the extra source was of alot of help.

I will still try to find other sources as they will all help with the comparison. Ideally finding a longer written piece of handwriting over a signature, however this may not exist.

[despair]

If you have Ancestry,this record suggests there was a will,leaving approx £714 to his widow,Violet:-

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01oas/

Roger
Added:Sorry,yes it says administration not probate.