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Sidney George Hay Winsor, Resident of Belgium to 1940 - Seeking historical details while resident of Brussels

Sidney George Hay Winsor, Resident of Belgium to 1940 - Seeking historical details while resident of Brussels

Posted: 1 Jul 2015 3:40AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Winsor, van Houtte, Émile Leclercq
I have for quite a while, been researching my ancestors and am seeking some
assistance from this very active group.

Details are as follows:-

My name is Sidney John Dean, currently residing at 9/ 170 Hector Street, Osborne Park, WA, Australia

Mothers name Bessie Jane Winsor born 13 November 1904 in Mont St Amand,
Ghent, Belgium

She died in Sydney NSW Australia, 5 February 1966

Brother (1) George Sidney Winsor
Wife - Margot
Son - John - probably born +/- 1931, could still be alive.

Brother (2) Henry William Winsor
Wife - Emmy

Grandmother - Elodie van Houtte born 8 June ? Died 4 July 1933 in
Brussels. Name on headstone "Sidonie Jane Winsor"

Name on my mothers death certificate was Elodie van Noote(?) I think this is
incorrect as I have a photograph of a "Helen van Noote", with a note on the
back that it is "Aunt Helen van Houtte"

Grandfather - Sidney George Hay Winsor born 1877, presumably in England

Possible siblings are Herbert, Arthur and Min. These are names mentioned in
letters in my possession

In June 1936, Sidney Winsor, senior partner of Messrs. Thomas and Ellis,
Shipping Agents, received the honour conferred on him by King Leopold in
creating him a "Chevalier de l'Ordre de la Couronne" in recognition of his
Commercial Services in Belgium.

He was a member of the British Chamber of Commerce in Brussels for many
years.

Known addresses in Belgium :-

1933 - 88a Boulevard du Jubile, Molenbeeke, Brussels

1945 - 87 Avenue Charles Woeste, Jette St., Pierre, Brussels at time of
death.

Died when returning to Belgium after WW1 when his ship, the "SS Emeraude"
ran over a wreck on 2 July 1945.

His body was found off the coast of Holland 10 days later and buried in the
Hague on 8 August 1945.

He was returning to Belgium after the war to re-open his shipping agency, on
behalf of the Brussels Steamship Co. Ltd. London UK, of which he was senior
partner.

I am unable to find any record of my 2nd.Great Grand parents on the Van
Houtte side.

Of particular interest is information on my Great Grand Uncle and Aunt. They
were aunt and uncle of my Grandmother but I don't know whether they on the
male or female side.

I am in possession of original paintings of them. The paintings are signed
by "maitre Leclercq" in 1866.

I believe that he was a government Official in some capacity. i.e.. Governor
or same.

The painter was obviously a teacher hence the signature "maitre"

I believe that I have found the identity of Leclercq. Following is a
description that I found on the 'net' in French. I would love a translation
one day!

Émile Leclercq est né à Monceau-sur-Sambre en 1827 et est mort à Etterbeek
en 1907.
Ce fils d'instituteur montra des dispositions précoces pour la peinture et
fut un élève de l'Académie des Beaux-Arts de Bruxelles. Il fit toutefois
carrière dans l'administration comme contrôleur du Gouvernement aux Jeux de
Spa et, ultérieurement, comme inspecteur des Beaux-Arts.

En marge de ses activités quotidiennes, il parvint à bâtir une importante
ouvre romanesque qui, malgré diverses tentations, ne franchit jamais la
frontière qui sépare le réalisme du naturalisme.

Cette ouvre est ou sera bientôt représentée sur le site de Mémoire Vive par
deux textes : Histoire de deux armurières (1864) et Histoire intime d'un
homme (1869).

You will notice that the dates fit and that he was also connected with the
Government.

In the meantime, if anyone can assist or point me in the right direction, I
would be eternally grateful.

I hope to come over to Brussels about June 2016 to continue my research.

Yours sincerely

Sid Dean

Email - sidean@zoho.com
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