American Consulate Liverpool??

[greann]

Hi, Does anyone know how I can find information on a man who went by the last name "Harcombe, Harcum, Harcom". He was apparently from New Jersey, USA and worked at the American Consulate in Liverpool.
Thank You,
Greann

[xkopite]

What year are you looking for, it would narrow the search with a bit of luck.

[greann]

Hi xkopite,
I'm not exactly sure of the dates, but I would have to say between 1902 and 1920. That dosen't narrow it down much does it? Thanks for your response.
Ann

[xkopite]

Hello Greann
I need a bit more info please, cristian name, birth date and occupation.
Why are you unsure of the surname, what sounds the most likely.
Cheers
Dave

[greann]

Hi Dave,
Thanks again for your reply....
Genealogy is so disheartening sometimes isn't it? I'm totally relying on information from family members who were very young when they heard these stories, so you know how it is when over the years we forget the important parts.
Granddad - David Gerard Thompson was born to Evelyn E. Thompson(formerly Johnson) and David Thompson, November 1902, West Derby, Lancashire. Only.......... they were not married. Apparently she later married a man by Harcombe or Harcum????? This is family stories. (Can't find this marriage either) He was supposedly a secretary to the US Embasador. We aren't sure. Granddad did not like his step-father and refused to use his last name. So when he came to Canada in 1922 he changed his name to Harcourt. On his marriage certificate he lists his father's name as being James Harcourt. Perhaps the "Harcombe's name was James. I just don't know! He was so secretive about his past and did not like it when anyone asked questions.
I think I'm grasping at straws.
Ann

[Geoffers]

Just some thoughts that come to mind, no idea whether they would take you anywhere...........

Did he emigrate alone, or did his mum and step-dad go as well? In fact, I would presume his step-dad would have returned to America at some time, is it worthwhile trying the passenger lists on findmypast to see if you can trace him? Possibly by searching on his wife's name??

If he worked for an American department, I would think there must be a paper trail somewhere, but I'm afraid that I have no idea as to where American civil service papers would be filed. I suggest starting with the American Embassy in London. Could your chap have married in American diplomatic property which was considered American soil and so there be no record in the GRO index?

Have you tried any directories to see if American staff at the consulate are listed?

[xkopite]

Hi Ann,
I have looked at the 1911 Gores directory forLiverpool and Suburbs for Harcourt and Johnson.
Evelyn does not come up but thats not to say she was not in Liverpool.
The only James Harcourt I came across was living at 13 Morcambe Street, Anfield East. (suburb)
Just for reference the American Consuls address in 1900 was 26 Chapel Street Liverpool also in Cox's Liverpool Annual 1922 given as Tower Building, Water Street, Liverpool.
In 1922 it gives the following,

Consul, Lee Washington also Hugh Hammond Watson

Vice Consul, John Howard D West also Robert R Patterson

Chancellor, W. Pierce.

Not a great help Ann but a little bit of background.
Do you have Evelyns dob etc, have you traced her in the census ?

I will see what turns up for you.
Regards
Dave

[greann]

Thanks Geoffers and Dave.
His parents did not immigrate to Canada, his mother was to our knowlege always in Liverpool. His father was supposed to be from New Jersy, USA. Apparently the US family never acknowleged him or his mother as being part of their family. Something happened in the US and somehow they had him banned from the county. He never stepped foot in the US even when the rest of the family went on vacations there. I did find a document in 1922 where he tried to go to Buffalo and was not allowed to enter due to criminal pergury.
I do not have any information on Evelyn Johnson Thompson. Other than she was supposed to have been a servant to a family in Scotland who sent her away to England to have her baby. Scandel.............
Thank you both for your help,
I will poke around and see what I can find out.
Ann