His father, well known for his publications on entomology and author of valuable work on malacology, encouraged his well-developed inclination for zoological studies.

He was married in 1889, and the same year was appointed deputy administrator, and filled successively positions at Fort National, Boghari and Dra-el Mizan.

[2] Mr. Ancey hoped shortly to fill a State mission to the Cape Verde Islands, which was sure to furnish opportunities for malacological studies.

As his appointment to Mascara promised to be permanent, he expected to be able to work up his large accumulation of undetermined species, still packed just as he had received them.

[2] Mr. Ancey is the authority for many generic or subgeneric names, among which may be mentioned: Boysidia, Parabalia[check spelling], Haplotrema, Pseudomphalus, Monomphalus, Micromphalia, Platystoma, Rhytidiopsis, Pararhytida, Microphyura, Ochroderma, Tomostele (subgenus), Mabilliella, Thomsonia, Lechaptoisia, Thaanumia, Baldwinia and Armandiella.