Post by romayne on Aug 23, 2011 14:02:23 GMT 1
The origins of my 'elusive' grandfather, Alvin James 'Spike' Rhiando, is finally beginning to unravel, which has taken me quite a few years to do!!
I am extremely happy to report that I am about 85% there, and thought I would share my findings, so far, with you:-
Spike Rhiando was born on 6th April 1910 in Berlin, Germany. His birth name was Albert J Stevens.
His father was called Albert John Stevens (the juggler Rebla) who performed in various theatres in England, and was born in Highbury, London around 1883.
His mother was Elizabeth Albrecht. She was German - born in Leipzig, Germany. She apparently came from a circus background, but this is not confirmed. But can say that she was a Theatrical Artiste in London, according to the 1911 Census.
Both parents were married when they arrived to England at some point during 1910/1911.
When young Albert (aka Spike) was 1 year old, he was then living with his parents in Highbury/Islington area of London.
Elizabeth lived in London until she sadly died in the 1950s (she never went back to Germany). Rebla emmigrated, on his own, to Melbourne, Australia in 1940 (and died there in 1963).
Rebla was a very naughty boy and had an affair and in 1927 Elizabeth divorced Rebla on the grounds of Adultery. The Divorce Petition States that Elizabeth and her son were then living at 38 Lewisham Park, Lewisham. Young Albert (aka spike)was 17 year's old at this time.
So that covers upto 1927. So from 1927/8 young Albert Stevens completely disappeared and in 1932/3 Spike Rhiando appeared!!
So there is a missing piece in the jigsaw for the years between 1928-1933.
Between these years there was speedway racing in Norwich. There were two mysterious riders who appeared during this time - and disappeared. They are Alvin James Franchetti and/or Spike Antonio Riando. Has anyone got any information or any photos of these riders to confirm if they all are, in fact, the same person?
Help with this final missing piece would be great to know.
For those of us, including me, who thought Spike was born in either America, Canada, South Africa etc etc, and who travelled the world, was completely wrong (save for the fact that he spent the first few month's of his life in Germany!).
However, I feel that Spike must have been in America at some stage during his life as his 'stories' he told were based from that Country. Topical Times extracts, and bringing midget car racing from the US to England, to name but two.
His parents did go to America before Albert (aka Spike) was born, which I have found out via some old passenger lists. If he did ever did set foot in America himself at any point, I suggest this probably happened when he was 18 or so, around 1929. This may fit in with those stories he told about America/Canada when he re-invented himself as Spike Rhiando in England 1932/33. But this is just speculation on my part.
So any thoughts or ideas would be very much appreciated.... in the meantime, thanks for taking the time to read this update .
I am extremely happy to report that I am about 85% there, and thought I would share my findings, so far, with you:-
Spike Rhiando was born on 6th April 1910 in Berlin, Germany. His birth name was Albert J Stevens.
His father was called Albert John Stevens (the juggler Rebla) who performed in various theatres in England, and was born in Highbury, London around 1883.
His mother was Elizabeth Albrecht. She was German - born in Leipzig, Germany. She apparently came from a circus background, but this is not confirmed. But can say that she was a Theatrical Artiste in London, according to the 1911 Census.
Both parents were married when they arrived to England at some point during 1910/1911.
When young Albert (aka Spike) was 1 year old, he was then living with his parents in Highbury/Islington area of London.
Elizabeth lived in London until she sadly died in the 1950s (she never went back to Germany). Rebla emmigrated, on his own, to Melbourne, Australia in 1940 (and died there in 1963).
Rebla was a very naughty boy and had an affair and in 1927 Elizabeth divorced Rebla on the grounds of Adultery. The Divorce Petition States that Elizabeth and her son were then living at 38 Lewisham Park, Lewisham. Young Albert (aka spike)was 17 year's old at this time.
So that covers upto 1927. So from 1927/8 young Albert Stevens completely disappeared and in 1932/3 Spike Rhiando appeared!!
So there is a missing piece in the jigsaw for the years between 1928-1933.
Between these years there was speedway racing in Norwich. There were two mysterious riders who appeared during this time - and disappeared. They are Alvin James Franchetti and/or Spike Antonio Riando. Has anyone got any information or any photos of these riders to confirm if they all are, in fact, the same person?
Help with this final missing piece would be great to know.
For those of us, including me, who thought Spike was born in either America, Canada, South Africa etc etc, and who travelled the world, was completely wrong (save for the fact that he spent the first few month's of his life in Germany!).
However, I feel that Spike must have been in America at some stage during his life as his 'stories' he told were based from that Country. Topical Times extracts, and bringing midget car racing from the US to England, to name but two.
His parents did go to America before Albert (aka Spike) was born, which I have found out via some old passenger lists. If he did ever did set foot in America himself at any point, I suggest this probably happened when he was 18 or so, around 1929. This may fit in with those stories he told about America/Canada when he re-invented himself as Spike Rhiando in England 1932/33. But this is just speculation on my part.
So any thoughts or ideas would be very much appreciated.... in the meantime, thanks for taking the time to read this update .