Circus resources

[Antcol]

Hi, My grandfather worked as a contortionist in a Circus, probably around 1900. I know he left the Circus when it was at Merthyr Tydfil. I have no idea which circus he was with and I believe there were numerous small touring circuses in those days. Does anyone know how I go about researching touring Circuses of that time.

Thanks.

Ant

 

[duckweed]

National Fairground Archive, Sheffield University. http://www.nfa.dept.shef.ac.uk/nfadigital/index.html

Also there is special Show people section of Rootschat http://www.rootschat.com/

 

[davelambert271]

have you got the marriage cert of James H.N. to Elizabeth J I believe James was born in Cheltenham in 1886, It may help trace him back if you have his father's name or witness names. That is of course if I have the right person

 

[Antcol]

Thanks Duckweed, I think the links you have given me will help me in further researching my grandfather.

Thanks for your input as well DaveLambert. I have not yet applied for my Grandparents marriage certificate but it is on my list of things to do and you have identified the correct marriage. I believe my grandfathers fathers name was Joseph, but the problem is my grandfather and his sister ran away from home when they were quite young. I am hoping to find a link to his siblings, particularly his sister.

 

[davelambert271]

You really need to get the marriage cert for James if you wish to get further back. You can get certs on line from http://www.gro.gov.uk/GRO/content/certificates/default.asp
However looking at Collingbourne births in Cheltenham around James's birth, there are two; Agnes Elizabeth in 1877 and Joseph William P.L.R in 1883.
Following Agnes through the census's she is 3yrs old in 1881 living with grandparents George 60 and Anne 64, plus John 37, Thomas C 26 and Eliza 30, one of which may be Agnes's parent. She is still with her G. Parents in 1891, a servant in Oxfordshire in 1901 and a Niece aged 29 in 1911, Thomas Charles 56 is the head (so this leaves John or Eliza as the possible parent, see earlier)

That doesn't mean anything really, but if we look at Joseph William Collingbore, so far I have only found him in one census, 1901 aged 17, a coal hewer born Cheltenham, boarding in Ystradyfodwg, Pontypridd. I don't think it is a coincidence that he is in Pontepridd where James is also living in 1915 (marriage). Is he the Joseph you thought was James's father

 

[horse]

This looks like a birth reg.

Births Q4 1886
COLLINGBORN James Henry N
Cheltenham
6a 402

Geoff

 

[horse]

Looks like he is using Henry, if it's the same one

1901
Civil Parish: Ystradyfodwg
Ecclesiastical parish: Ferndale Christchurch
County: Glamorgan
RD: Pontypridd
Sub-RD: Ystradyfodwg
ED: 69

John L Nicholls 43
Elizabeth L Nicholls 46
Mary L Wilkins 22
Timothy E Rogers 14
Albert Fewins 27
George Meehan 33
George E Pebworth 19
Henry Collingborn 14 boarder [b. Cheltenham. Coal Hewer]

Geoff

Edit: Ref: Piece: 5020; Folio: 89; Page: 28

 

[horse]

May be not the correct one...

Geoff

 

[davelambert271]

1911 gives a Henry, 24, coal hewer born Cheltenham, a shopkeeper and army pensioner, living in Cheltenham
very strange

 

[horse]

1911 gives a Henry, 24, coal hewer born Cheltenham, a shopkeeper and army pensioner, living in Cheltenham
very strange

Yep, that's the one I found, but most interesting it says he is mar. and no sign of a wife

Geoff

 

[davelambert271]

we know he married Elizabeth in 1915 so possibly he was living apart from his 1st wife. I haven't looked for this mge.

to Anthony
what proof have you about him being in a circus

dave

 

[horse]

we know he married Elizabeth in 1915 so possibly he was living apart from his 1st wife. I haven't looked for this mge.

to Anthony
what proof have you about him being in a circus

dave

I've found nothing to suggest he was with a circus

 

[horse]

This may be interesting at some point..

Marriages Q4 1906
BALDWYN Annie Elizabeth
Collingborn Joseph W
JACKSON John
PRICE Mary Susan
Cheltenham
6a 951

 

[horse]

have you got the marriage cert of James H.N. to Elizabeth J I believe James was born in Cheltenham in 1866, It may help trace him back if you have his father's name or witness names. That is of course if I have the right person

Should that be 1886, Dave?

Edit yes, corrected

 

[davelambert271]

1911

joseph wm 28 house painter
annie Elizabeth 28
vera olive 4

 

[horse]

1911

joseph wm 28 house painter
annie Elizabeth 28
vera olive 4

Ah! So the marriage fits...

 

[horse]

If James Henry and Joseph are Agnes' brothers, their parents must have split up/died between 1886 and 1891. But why is Agnes with g'parents in 1881?

Something not right

 

[davelambert271]

could they all be illegit ?

 

[horse]

could they all be illegit ?

Had crossed my mind, but there is nearly 10y between Agnes and James Henry, I can't see any evidence of baptisms. James and Joseph had very elaborate names/initials. My other thought was that they may have been travellers, which may give credence to your illegit theory.

 

[horse]

I think a cert. will be need to get a handle on one of the parents.

Geoff