Unsolved Taman Shud Case - The Somerton Man

Oct 12, 2017
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http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article247604931
 
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I give up. You complained about narrow thinking and when shown why it cant be a person you then imply 'but nobody saw him after 1939''

Yeah because a war happened and 6 years does things .

Otis Norton Pierce enlisted 1942
PIERCE Otis N 24-Sep-1942 NEW YORK

http://www.familyrelatives.com/sear...nlistment.php?fn=otis&ln=pierce&page=S&page=S

You say Pierce disappeared. I have shown you he didnt and the person whose birth date listed in the website you use died in Palm Springs in 1985. You choose to believe what you want but your critical thinking fails when your only response is to double down and imply body doubles

Lolza
 

peteb

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Valerie Lawson calls herself a journalist yet it took 15 minutes on google to establish a few things. But JFC why am I doing her work??

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article161941817


Pat Cape was caught by tho candid camera in Sydney on Saturday pinning a rose on Otis Pierce - Boston Millionaires Son. The photo appeared in the city morning newspaper. Miss Cape is the daughter of Mr and Mrs Cape of Melrose Leadville

And here is the picture http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article247604931 (further note is its difficult to spot but the ears dont look split to me)


So Boston. December 27 1912 (from shipping records) translates to ''estimated 1913''

Fix this text
Name: Otis N Peirce
Titles and Terms:
Event Type: Census
Event Date: 1930
Event Place: New Bedford, Bristol, Massachusetts, United States
District: ED 135
Gender: Male
Age: 17
Marital Status: Single
Race: White
Race: White
Relationship to Head of Household: Son
Relationship to Head of Household: Son
Birth Year (Estimated): 1913
Birthplace: Massachusetts
Immigration Year:
Father's Birthplace: Massachusetts
Mother's Birthplace: Massachusetts
Sheet Letter: B
Sheet Number: 3
Sheet Number and Letter: 3B
Household ID: 55
Line Number: 99
Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Affiliate Publication Number: T626
Affiliate Film Number: 892
GS Film Number: 2340627
Digital Folder Number: 004951073
Image Number: 00190


Household Role Sex Age Birthplace
Andrew Peirce Head M 66 Massachusetts
Helen H Peirce Wife F 59 Massachusetts
Andrew G Peirce Son M 22 Massachusetts
Otis N Peirce Son M 17 Massachusetts
Alexander S Peirce Son M 13 Massachusetts
Bessie O Donnell Servant F 51 England
Carl G Johnanston Butler M 43 Sweden


Oh but wait. 20 more minutes and we find this.

http://www.locateancestors.com/otis-pierce/


OTIS PIERCE
ps-addinfo.png
ps-addphoto.png

106-18-4876 December 27, 1912 - July 1, 1985 72 years CA92262 (Palm Springs, Riverside County)




Citing this Record:
"United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XQLW-P94 : accessed 29 March 2019), Otis N Peirce in household of Andrew Peirce, New Bedford, Bristol, Massachusetts, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 135, sheet 3B, line 99, family 55, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 892; FHL microfilm 2,340,627.

Please no more of this Otis Pierce being Somerton Man ffs
His name was also spelt Pearce ..

GreyCrow, thanks for your work with Pierce ... you obviously know your way around the ancestry sites ... but what are we to do with the other problem .. the absence of Australian records for Jessica Harkness? Perhaps you could point me somewhere ...
 
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Any searches done on these names?

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article43794573 Leonard Berry 35 British visitor

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129897967 Jack Thomas McLean Prospect : though police searched for this name nothing could be established

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article43793796 This report states its possibly EC Johnson possibly 45

SA BDM gives

Edward Charles 1895 married? 1923 Vera Ward died 1984

Edgar Clarence 1895 married 1929 Evelyn Olney died 1956

(Frederick) Ernest Claude 1904 known as Ernest Claude http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article212932783 no known death BUT could also be itinerant around Australia - but he is the only 1 not yet accounted though this Obit for his mother suggests he is alive in 1952 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47427319

Edward Carroll 1906 married 1924 Hannah Neander died 1989

Can I please have more background on Jessica Harkness and her connection
 
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Jessica ELLEN Thomson (known as Jo) died 2007

Advertiser THOMSON Jessica Ellen (Jo)2007

May 13 2007 Buried Centennial Pk

Born 1921 and identified as Jewish

Jessica Ellen Thomson
BIRTH 1921 DEATH 13 May 2007 (aged 85–86)BURIAL
Centennial Park Cemetery
Pasadena, Mitcham City, South Australia, Australia PLOT Jewish 608

The name of her husband was Prosper McTaggart Thomson died 1995

Advertiser THOMSON Prosper McTaggart (George)1995


Prosper was not born in SA but born in Queensland in 1912. He married in Victoria in 1936. Propser served in the Australian Army in WW2 and his next of Kin was Queenie Thomson. (assumed wife as Vic BDM ******* down again its s**t) discharged 1943
http://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=473545&c=WW2#R

Is this a picture of Jessie Thomson? http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71766412

Prosper was a Hire Car operator http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article43775803 living in Mosely Street Glenelg 1948

Incorporation of Century Trading with PM Thomson and JE Thomson as directors 1951 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article130910226

This leads to a picture of Prosper Thomson http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131241787

It is suggested Jessica Harkness is the maiden name of Jessica Ellen Thomson. NSW BDM records only show births until 1919 so that avenue is out.

Unfortunately most records have time limits and these are difficult to search (for free)

The ears have been given wide discussion yet Prosper Thomson also has a bigger cymba , similar to Somerton Man. BUT ALSO similar to his reputed son Robin Thomson


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1553952654689.png


I believe you can see a larger than normal cymba. The smaller pic is reported to be SM on the left
 

peteb

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Jessica ELLEN Thomson (known as Jo) died 2007

Advertiser THOMSON Jessica Ellen (Jo)2007

May 13 2007 Buried Centennial Pk

Born 1921 and identified as Jewish

Jessica Ellen Thomson
BIRTH 1921 DEATH 13 May 2007 (aged 85–86)BURIAL
Centennial Park Cemetery
Pasadena, Mitcham City, South Australia, Australia PLOT Jewish 608

The name of her husband was Prosper McTaggart Thomson died 1995

Advertiser THOMSON Prosper McTaggart (George)1995


Prosper was not born in SA but born in Queensland in 1912. He married in Victoria in 1936. Propser served in the Australian Army in WW2 and his next of Kin was Queenie Thomson. (assumed wife as Vic BDM ******* down again its s**t) discharged 1943
http://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/veteran?id=473545&c=WW2#R

Is this a picture of Jessie Thomson? http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71766412

Prosper was a Hire Car operator http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article43775803 living in Mosely Street Glenelg 1948

Incorporation of Century Trading with PM Thomson and JE Thomson as directors 1951 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article130910226

This leads to a picture of Prosper Thomson http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article131241787

It is suggested Jessica Harkness is the maiden name of Jessica Ellen Thomson. NSW BDM records only show births until 1919 so that avenue is out.

Unfortunately most records have time limits and these are difficult to search (for free)

The ears have been given wide discussion yet Prosper Thomson also has a bigger cymba , similar to Somerton Man. BUT ALSO similar to his reputed son Robin Thomson


View attachment 645064 View attachment 645065

I believe you can see a larger than normal cymba. The smaller pic is reported to be SM on the left
Yes, that's the lady.
 

peteb

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Any searches done on these names?

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article43794573 Leonard Berry 35 British visitor

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129897967 Jack Thomas McLean Prospect : though police searched for this name nothing could be established

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article43793796 This report states its possibly EC Johnson possibly 45

SA BDM gives

Edward Charles 1895 married? 1923 Vera Ward died 1984

Edgar Clarence 1895 married 1929 Evelyn Olney died 1956

(Frederick) Ernest Claude 1904 known as Ernest Claude http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article212932783 no known death BUT could also be itinerant around Australia - but he is the only 1 not yet accounted though this Obit for his mother suggests he is alive in 1952 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47427319

Edward Carroll 1906 married 1924 Hannah Neander died 1989

Can I please have more background on Jessica Harkness and her connection
Harkness trained as a nurse at the Royal North Shore Hospital at about the same time she was meeting Alf Boxall at the Clifton Gardens in 1945 - it seems she never qualified before becoming pregnant in 1946 and leaving for Melbourne where her parents lived. Don't have their address. Her son, Robin, was born in Adelaide.
 
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Harkness trained as a nurse at the Royal North Shore Hospital at about the same time she was meeting Alf Boxall at the Clifton Gardens in 1945 - it seems she never qualified before becoming pregnant in 1946 and leaving for Melbourne where her parents lived. Don't have their address. Her son, Robin, was born in Adelaide.
Unfortunately I cant access the free records and her story ( or at least the known story) is at odds. I doubt she was born in Marrickville NSW and if her parents are in Mentone then I may be able to chase that but that suggests she may have been born in Melbourne.
 

peteb

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Otis is now officially out of the picture ... information supplied by a trusted source follows. And thanks GreyCrow for your contributions.

Otis Pierce, born on 27-12-1912 in New Bedford, Mass. Had a middle name of Norton. His father was Andrew Granville Pierce Jnr and his mother was Helen Parker Haskell. The family owned Pierce Manufacturing, a textile business.

> In 1932, OP travelled as a passenger from England to NYC; In 1937, he travelled from France to NYC; In 1939, he travelled from Australia to Hawaii, his address was given as: 99 Madison St, New Bedford, Mass.

In Sept 1942 he enlisted, living in NY at this time.

In 1946, he travelled from Toronto (by air) to NYC

In 1947, he travelled from France to NYC, again his address was noted as: 99 Madison St, New Bedford, Mass.In 1979, he was involved organising an opera event in Palm Springs, Calif.

Otis Norton Pierce died on 15 Jul 1985 in Palm Springs, Calif.
 

peteb

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My next question .... how did the Somerton Man light his cigarette without matches or a lighter?
 
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Otis is now officially out of the picture ... information supplied by a trusted source follows. And thanks GreyCrow for your contributions.

Otis Pierce, born on 27-12-1912 in New Bedford, Mass. Had a middle name of Norton. His father was Andrew Granville Pierce Jnr and his mother was Helen Parker Haskell. The family owned Pierce Manufacturing, a textile business.

> In 1932, OP travelled as a passenger from England to NYC; In 1937, he travelled from France to NYC; In 1939, he travelled from Australia to Hawaii, his address was given as: 99 Madison St, New Bedford, Mass.

In Sept 1942 he enlisted, living in NY at this time.

In 1946, he travelled from Toronto (by air) to NYC

In 1947, he travelled from France to NYC, again his address was noted as: 99 Madison St, New Bedford, Mass.In 1979, he was involved organising an opera event in Palm Springs, Calif.

Otis Norton Pierce died on 15 Jul 1985 in Palm Springs, Calif.
Are there any photos of to show Otis Norton Pierce was the same Otis Pierce that travelled to England to visit his friend Anton Dolin in the mid 30s and travelled around Australia and NZ with him and the Ballet Russe in 1938/39?
 
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My next question .... how did the Somerton Man light his cigarette without matches or a lighter?
He was cleaned up and carried there, cigarette placed there by someone else? Oh for DNA analysis then!

My question is who's the ginger haired man found on Somerton Beach on 1st December 1948? and ...

Why doesn't the photograph look anything like the descriptions in the police reports, coroners and taxidermists descriptions in 1947? and why doesn't the black or dark brown hair in the photos look like samples taken from the plaster?

1. SM hair from plaster cast

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2. Police report 22 December 1948
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3. Police report 1959 to NZ
1554539395578.png
 

craigos

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Fascinating story. Aside from all the coincidences, which added up make things even more unlikely, a couple of things that stood out to me where:

The phone number of the bank in the book tells me the Somerton Man had planned on being there for an extended time or at the very least send/receive money.
The fact Jessica Thompson knew Russian with no real explanation as to why. Would like to know more about her background growing up.
 
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peteb

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You're not the only one, craigos, word is she may have been born in the U.K. ...
 
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You're not the only one, craigos, word is she may have been born in the U.K. ...
There is a Jessica M Harkness born 1921 in Essex

There is also a J Harkness travelling to Melbourne in 1958 from the UK. Much later but there may be an earlier trip.

Jessica M Harkness (unsure if above) marries in 1943 in Yorkshire. A bit of distance from Essex but given WW2 its possible she moved to escape some of the heavy bombing or did war work in the area. Added: According to the LDS/FamilySearch site Jessica M Harkness married Ernest Moulds in 1943
 
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peteb

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Thanks GreyCrow, appreciated. Can you find if there is a relationship between your Ernest Moulds and (wait for it) Major William Jestyn Moulds NAA file QX 6233?
This is too good to be a coincidence.
 
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Thanks GreyCrow, appreciated. Can you find if there is a relationship between your Ernest Moulds and (wait for it) Major William Jestyn Moulds NAA file QX 6233?
This is too good to be a coincidence.
1909 C11363 William Jestyn Moulds : John William : Naomi Ophelia Hopkins born in Queensland

I cant see any link to Ernest or William J

Ernest born 1921 : mother Barraclough

There is an Ernest born 1921 who dies 2005 on FS site

There is a Ernest Moulds marriage 1941 (Ivy Elrick) Ivy passes in 1983 and as born in 1923 it is likely to be a separate couple

Ernest Moulds marries Harkness 1943. (all available FamilySearch)

There is no (found) corresponding death in the UK for Jessica Moulds unless it is Jessica May Moulds in 2005 in Nottinghamshire born December 1920
 

peteb

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.. back again to Cornwall which we loved and now have the house for six months.*

Back again to Cornwall.
Which we loved.
And now have the house for six months.
Who’s house in Cornwall?

The Essex Jessica Harkness married Ernest Moulds in Yorkshire in 1943.

The Glenelg Jessica appeared in Australia 1945.

Then reappeared in Glenelg in 1947. With Child. Robin.

I would be wise I suppose to be a withered virgin in some hospital or another emptying pans and taking temperatures.*

* taken from the Glenelg Jessica's letters home.

~!~

It would be handy to have a pic of Ernest Moulds of Yorkshire.

Just for comparison’s sake.

1557717779989.png
 
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.. back again to Cornwall which we loved and now have the house for six months.*

Back again to Cornwall.
Which we loved.
And now have the house for six months.
Who’s house in Cornwall?

The Essex Jessica Harkness married Ernest Moulds in Yorkshire in 1943.

The Glenelg Jessica appeared in Australia 1945.

Then reappeared in Glenelg in 1947. With Child. Robin.

I would be wise I suppose to be a withered virgin in some hospital or another emptying pans and taking temperatures.*

* taken from the Glenelg Jessica's letters home.

~!~

It would be handy to have a pic of Ernest Moulds of Yorkshire.

Just for comparison’s sake.

View attachment 673001
Sounds like quite a few co-incidences there. Not only good to have a picture of Ernest, but also Otis Norton Pierce.

However I think the image Lawson made from the bust of SM is more accurate and matches the written descriptions that this photo.

1557745535685.png


These are from a 3D scan of the plaster bust
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craigos

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I know that it's probably the right thing to do to let this man rest in peace but when he is unknown, with no family and or documentation on who he is what are the possible negative consequences of exhuming for DNA samples? They've exhumed bodies before when there are families to mourn but I can't see many objecting to this? Even find it strange that the hairs haven't been tested to see if DNA can be obtained from the plaster mould.

For me, this just adds to the potential of him being a spy and some higher ups letting it be known that this wont happen.
 
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1557834501908.png

Different font for the words than the book that was recovered on 25th July 1948, 5 weeks after the Inquest.

SM's Rubiayat is much smaller and like a paperback compared to Alf Boxall's and most other (including Shelly's) copies of the book

1557834713036.png


Alf Boxall's copy of Rubiayat (L) and copy recovered in a car near Somerton beach and handed in on 25th July 1948 (R).
 

peteb

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Squadron Leader Ernest Moulds - RAF Bomber Command. This is a very long shot, but so's winning a lottery. A Moulds with a record that doesn't go past November 30 1948.
 
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