I think I bought this when I was around 10 years old. I was fascinated by the age and intrigued by the inscription (and probably disappointent not being able to find a forgotten old stamp). The spine was already this damaged when I bought it, but I just had to have it (for a few cents ) In the meantime the book and inscription are propper antiques I haven't been able to find anything on Henri van Hes. There is a Eugène Mordant who apparently was an important general during WWII, but the Eugène of the inscription worked is mentioned in this 1912 news paper https://donum.uliege.be/expo/le_cri/pdf/P00143E0_1912_09_28.pdf as a choirmaster at the Théâtre Royal (now the Royal Opera) of Liège. I can't find any other information regarding Mordant and, as mentioned, nothing at all regarding Henri van Hes... So, @Debora ...
Mission accomplished. I can go to bed now. In the morning I expect to see the results of your investigation.
There really isn't much out there. I wonder if Eugène Mordant isn't Joseph Eugène Marie Mordant, native of Liège. Debora
According to this site https://www.openarchieven.nl/search.php?name=Joseph+Eugène+Marie+Mordant he was born on the 26th of December, 1863 and also on the 28th ...
It doesn't seem to be the same person. This is in his marriage certificate: I think it says 'ardoisier', so this guy was a slater.
In the newspaper, Boulogne is also mentioned, and that probably refers to one of the Boulognes in France, like Boulogne-sur-Mer. And, I also found a 'régisseur' named Mordant (no given name mentioned), in this book This Mordant worked in a theatre in Le Havre, France. Given de date of the book, that will be another Mordant. Possibly the father of "my" Mordant?
Here is information on a Henri Louis Van Hes, born 18 November 1898. On this page are links that will go to more information. https://www.openarchieven.nl/hga:2D9EA21C-0C08-4FB6-8645-0F48EE31A0D9 Also found this page on the same website: https://www.openarchieven.nl/search.php?name=Henri+Louis+van+Hes Can't be certain that it is the same person as noted in your book, of course.
Well ... as he was born in The Hague, and worked as a office clerk, I didn't see a clear connection with someone working at a theatre in Belgium ... but ... when he married in 1929, his mother lived in ... yes, indeed, Liège!
It gets even better! In 2 documents it said that his mother was unemployed ... but... guess what... in document no. 3: She was a choir singer!
Unfortunately Henri's mom isn't mentioned in the newspaper and/or book I mentioned earlier so still no conclusive proof that these are indeed the same persons, but the information found so far, seems to point in that direction. And to make this story even better: Henri's grandmother was born in the town where I live! (now I'm doxxing myself, @Any Jewelry ). (time for your ears to perk up again, @Lucille.b: Henri was born in Leiden )
Yep, you brought it all on yourself! A lot of Dutch families are in fact international, the country is too small.Besides, Netherlands-Belgium has always been a very common combo. Most borders are artificial anyway.
