For our first episode of Season Twelve, host Andrew Martin meets Sarnian professional genealogist Susan Ilie, who explains how she got hooked on researching her Guernsey family history, how she became a professional genealogist, the challenges of researching in the Channel Islands, and the unique and unusual records available on the island.
Listen to the episode
S12EP01 – 'The Patriarch' with Susan Ilie – The Family Histories Podcast
Also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, and others…
The Life Story – James Brewer Marley
Susan has chosen to tell the Life Story of her 3x Great Grandfather James Brewer Marley who was born circa 1792 in Bampton, Devon, England .
In 1812, James marries Frances Richards, but it seems Frances probably didn’t live for long after this as by 1818 he re-marries to a Mary Ann Brushfield. who also dies.
In the 1840s, as James’ business collapses and a time in which it appears he suffered from depression, James heads off by boat to set up home in the prosperous Channel Island of Guernsey.
It’s whilst here that he meets and marries Genette Degville – a dance teacher and dancer to the royal household. The couple have two children. After Genette eventually leaves him for another man, he appears with Charlotte Head (Susan’s 3x Gt Grandmother) with whom he has 7 children – the oldest son being named Napoleon… which at that time, and in such proximity to France, was probably a tough time for him.
James died in 1862, and Susan believes that he was the first to bring the Marley name to Guernsey and that the Marleys of Guernsey can be traced back to him.
The Brick Wall – Aziz Khan
A brick wall stands in 1911, and Susan would love some help to bring it crashing down.
Susan’s Gt Aunt Winifred Mary Fedora Rider, born 1890 in the Hampstead district of London, marries in 1911 to Aziz Khan – the valet to the Maharajah of Cooch Behar in Paddington, London. Aziz’s valet job for the Maharajah would have certainly been a respectable job, and it was one that his father had held before him. After the death of the Maharajah in London in 1913, Aziz and Winifred went to India.
Susan has found a record showing that Winifred married an Englishman whilst out in India, where she is noted as having been ‘single’.
Susan wants to know;
- What happened to Aziz Khan?
- Did Winifred and Aziz have children?
If you think that you can help Susan with a clue or research idea, then you can make contact with her at the email address she gives in the episode or via her website, or alternatively you can send us a message and we’ll pass it right along.
In the meantime, Susan is curious of Andrew’s offer of help, but can he get her to….
Episode Credits
- Andrew Martin – Host and Producer
- Susan Ilie – Guest
