Monday, April 17, 2006

Jacqueline Evans de Lopez

It has been suggested that the Carrera Panamericana driver Jacqueline Evans de Lopez was Welsh. If this were true, then she would have to rank as one of the most colourful Welsh motorsport characters - even more colourful than her 1954 Porsche 356 (pictured model). Jacqueline Evans was an actress, often playing gringas in Spanish language Mexican films and soaps, a career spiced with the occasional Hollywood outing; she had a small role in the Costa-Gavras movie "Missing" for example. Jacqueline Evans is also remembered for her help in establishing and funding the archive of Mexican and foreign magazines and newspapers, "La Torre del Papel" in Mexico City. Jacqueline died in Acapulco in 1989.

Now some of the information on the internet movie databases is wrong. She was born in 1915 not 1914 and her real name was Grace Alice Evans not Grace Alice Evans Antibus - her mother's surname was infact Antrobus. Was Ms Evans de Lopez Welsh? Well Jacqueline was born in Islington, London and her mother Maud was a Tottenham grocer's daughter. However, her father's name was Stephen W. Evans and the only person of this name in London at the time of the 1901 Census was a Welsh born dairyman. So more research needs to be done before a Welsh connection can be ruled out. Can anyone help? Has anyone seen a copy of her Canadian published biography "Coming Out Trumps" by Luz Evans - her daughter perhaps?

13 comments:

Trapper said...

Grace Alice Evans Had no children by either husban,Her Father Stephen was not Welsh, he was the son of Thomas Evans, a printers cutter,born in Fleet street London 1863.Thomas Evans was my mothers grandad.

radnorian said...

Thanks for the update trapper ..... any more information about Ms Evans, how she ended up in Mexico for example?

Anonymous said...

Hello. We have a copy of Coming Up Trumps at home as Grace Evans was my Great Aunt and my Grandmother's sister. There are still quite a few family members who remember Jackie..although my Nan, who was the next in line in the family used to accompany her everywhere and would have been the best source of info... and unfortunately she passed away five years ago (2002) I'd love to know who Trapper is... we're related as Thomas Evans is also my Great, Great Granddad.

Anonymous said...

Matthew - thanks for the update. Any idea who Luz Evans is, the author of the Coming Up Trumps book - it must be quite a rare volume as I can't find anything on abebooks. Any ideas as to when she went to Mexico and why? kjj

Anonymous said...

Hello. Luz Evans is Wally Evans' wife.. and Wally Evans is Jacqueline Evans' brother and only living Sibling. I'm actually using my husband's account as I don't have Google Mail. You can contact me directly on lucybrownmclaughlin (at) hotmail.com. In the meantime, I'll find a copy of the book.. we may have more than one here. Best wishes Lucy Brown.

Trapper said...

Lucy, you can contact me at tonydixon151@hotmail.com. Tried to email you but it failed,
Best Regards

Trapper said...

Jacqueline Flew to New York in August 1946 after a log struggle to get a visa. In October that year she flew to Mexico City for a short stay, but stayed for over 40 years. Hope this answers your Question.

radnorian said...

Many thanks for the information

Trapper said...
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Trapper said...

Comimg out Trumps was published by Lanita Design, 27 Nelligan, Kirkland,Quebec J9J 3W9. This may help you.

Peter said...

I am one of Jaqueline Evans's nephews currently living in Virgina, USA and have recently received a copy of her biography "Coming out Trumps" which I am looking forward to read..

Trapper said...
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Trapper said...
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