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Searching for US biological father from WW2

Discussion in '☆☆ New Recruits ☆☆' started by andypandy8, Jun 3, 2010.

  1. andypandy8

    andypandy8 recruit

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    I wonder if anyone could tell me where to find any records of the US Navy who were stationed in the Falmouth/Penryn area (in Cornwall, England) during the Second World War. I am particularly interested in December 1944/January 1945 which was after the Normandy invasion so by then most of the US troops had left the area. I wonder which units were left behind. I have written to NARA but they have ignored my letters.I understand that the sailors stayed at the Beacon in Falmouth, Cornwall and the Officers were billeted to local hotels in the area. Are there any records relating to this time?

    The reason I ask is that my husband has recently found out that his biological father was an American who was stationed in the area. An elderly aunt told us he was an officer probably called Joey. My husband's mother was landlady of the The Kings Arms Hotel in Penryn, Cornwall. He has put his DNA on 4 web sites in the hope of getting a match but nothing so far.

    Any help would be greatly appreciated.
     
  2. lwd

    lwd Ace

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    You could ask the Navy historical office. NARA is probably going to be a problem as for a lot of the info anyway you need to prove your relationship to get it.

    Here's a link to get you started: Naval History and Heritage Command
     
  3. andypandy8

    andypandy8 recruit

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    Thank you. I have had a quick look at the contact list and think I will start with the Seabees as I have found out they were in the area at the time.

    During our research we found a Grotto built in Tremough Convent by the US Navy dated 8-12-1944 and a list of names of the guys who built it. We were told that this man was a Captain at Tremough so think if we could find out which units these men were attached to it may help. We have pictures of the Grotto.

    We only found out about this 3 years ago by doing a genealogy DNA test for the family surname which didn't match others. Then his older brother did one that did match the surname. Bit of a shock!

    Thanks for your help and interest. It is much appreciated.
     
  4. lwd

    lwd Ace

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    Good luck. Glad I could be of some help.
     
  5. Icare9

    Icare9 Member

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    Another way to check is to search through the local library newspaper archives for the approximate period to see if any US units are mentioned.

    Is there no other correspondence, memoirs or mementos etc, as I'm sure you'll appreciate the nightmare of trying to find a specific US serviceman with the "name" of "Joey"!!

    Aside from that, there are the tricky niceties if he is still alive, with children and grandchildren of his own to whom it may come as a shock.
     
  6. andypandy8

    andypandy8 recruit

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    Yes, nightmare indeed! We have trawled through all the local papers and put letters in the newspapers in Falmouth. The mission of the Americans in the UK was so secret that nothing was written at the time. I don't think there is much chance he would still be alive. My husband's mum was born in 1914 so was 31 when Tim was born and if this guy was a Captain then he would probably have been in his 30s too. Unfortunately for us we found out too late and most people have died.

    After finding out my husband recalls having an American jeep instead of a British pedal car as a child so we think his father knew of his existence. He also remembers parcels arriving from the US with sweets etc. It's so frustrating we didn't know earlier. We have a large part of our Ancestry missing.

    The best chance we think is the DNA tests and then the 'right' person has to have one to get a match.

    We'll never give up! Thanks for your interest. It means a lot.
     
  7. lwd

    lwd Ace

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    Could there be an old letter or something stuck away somewhere?
     
  8. andypandy8

    andypandy8 recruit

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    We have been through all her effects with a tooth comb and scrutinised every photo. Absolutely nothing and on his birth certificate she put her husband's name so everything was swept under the carpet.

    I do have this snippet of information.My aunt (died last year) got married in August 1944 and she said that their reception was at the family hotel and because of food shortages in Britain this man provided the food for her wedding from the American base. I have found out that their was a huge US base 2 miles away at The Beacon, Falmouth and at the entrance were the words 'US Navy Advanced Amphibious Base'. Most of the Americans who were based there took part in the D-Day Normandy landings which started in June 1944 and I don't think many went back to Falmouth after that event. As my husband was conceived Xmas/new year 1944 I don't think this man would have been part of the invasion force so I was pinning my hopes on finding out which units were left at that time. I think the Seabees may have been there but without the help of the US Navy I am in the dark.
     
  9. Loz

    Loz New Member

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    Hi, I know this is an incredibly long shot. but i was wondering if you had any updates or found any more information relating to this ?. It may seem like an odd question but I'm currently undertaking a project that directly involves the grotto and star pond built by the Americans in Falmouth/ penryn who didn't participate in the d-day landings. this seems to be an interesting link and id be interested to know if you managed to find anything. - all the best
     
  10. Riter

    Riter Well-Known Member

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    EVen the name of the ship would help. Captain is both a rank (equivalent to an Army or Marine colonel) or a position (skipper of the ship).
     

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