Some descendants of Polini, members of the Albers, Halewijn and Lips families, like to believe that Polini was the same person as Maria Anna Bonaparte, sister of Napoleon. (see the backlside of her miniature, which was provided by Hans Weebers (me)). The story was published in the Netherlands by A.J. Teychiné Stakenburg, in the Spiegel Historiael, Juni 1984 . To my regret some publications exist in which a relationship, even a marriage, between my 4th ggfather Gardiner Henry Guion and Anna Maria Bonaparte, sister of Napoleon is mentioned. The publication written by Teychinee seems to attract many readers. Here are some of them Familysearch, a publication of Steve Addison, 11 and 16 March 2005, no source available. Historical Dictionary of the Napoleonic Era By George F. Nafziger. Geolrge copied the information from internet. Genealogie van de familie Albers te Grave (Brabantse Leeuw) also copied from internet, no source available. Geni, idem
This tale is complete nonsense of course.
The note on the backside is probably written by Alphons Alber, ggson of Polini, gson of Anne Mary Guion and son of Emily Josephine Fox. Emily Fox states in a dictate to her son that Polini was "a Corsican Lady", the family Bonaparte is not mentioned by her, and it seemes that Alphons fantasy did the rest.
The two oldest sisters of Napoléon were married and gave birth to their first child in 1798. It is utterly impossible they could have given birth to another child in 1798. It is even more impossible that one of the sisters gave birth to the child in England or that the child after the birth was taken to England by Gardiner.
In 1796 Gardiner is Agent for Transport in the Mediterranea and in Oct 1796 Admiral Jervis writes in his report to the Admiralty: "I have sent the William and Ann, copperbottomed transport, and the Seven Brothers, sheathed with fir, to Calvi; and Lieutenant Guion has orders to co-operate with Colonel Wemys. The Tartar, copper-bottomed, and two others, pass to-morrow, under convoy of the Dolphin, for Ajaccio. The Tartar having very commodious apartments, I have recommended her to Major-General Horneck, as a proper vessel for the accommodation of any Corsican families."
The only family with children among the Corsican families is the Peraldi family.
In a letter of 1 Dec 1797, addressed 7 Beaufort Buildings, London, Gardiner asks Evan Nepean for a 3 months leave to be able to settle his affairs.
December 1797 Gardiner's mother quits as a Matron of the London Hospital
According to the Register of Bapt. in the Parish of St. George the Martyr, Ann daughter of Gardiner and Polini Guion (Born 1798) is baptized on August 6th 1802.
The Census 30 Mar 1851, 30 New Broad Street, London has following information: Anna Mary Fox - Head born: Kent, Sheerness and the census Census 1861 30 New Broad Street, London: Charles J Fox MD - Head Anne M F - wife - Born: Chatham
It is strongly believed that Gardiner's mother and Polini lived at the Commissioner's house in Sheerness in 1798. Commissioner for the dockyard in Sheerness in 1798 was Francis John Hartwell who was appointed Commissioner in Chatham in 1799.
(After Gardiner served as a Captain's servant for John Elphinston (1782-1783) he sailed as Captain's Servant with Francis J. Hartwell (1786-1787). Francis married Anna Charlotte, the daughter of Capt John Elphinston. Both men must have been substitute fathers to Gardiner whose father died in 1780)
See for over 20 years of research and all sources at
https://geneagraphie.com/getperson.php?personID=I45935&tree=1
