In my circus research, I found a lot of help from the Western Historical Manuscript Collection, 23 Ellis Library, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65201 or phone them (314) 882-6028 Additionally, the Billboard Magazine (still in existence?) produced Short Biographies of "People Engaged in Circus Business" and published them in the early 1930s. I have one on Robert L. Atterbury which was submitted by him on 3 Jan 1933 and published on 11 Mar 1933. Also, try: The Hertzberg Circus Collection & Museum, 210 Market Street, San Antonio, TX 78205-2826 (512) 299-7810. The White Tops, James E. Foster, editor, Rout 1 Box 6735, White Stone, VA 22578 (804) 435-2951 Gibsontown, Florida is the winter home to thousands of circus and carnival people. There is a Showman's Museum on Riverview Drive. Although I live in Florida, I have never visited there, but hope to do so this year. Hope these addresses help someone else. Linda Carpenter Florida

A bit of trivia re the Strates shows: In 1943-44 my parents sold our house trailer to Jim Strates himself while the show was in the Binghamton NY area. He paid for the trailer in cash..$1200 and my father waited to put it in the bank because he wanted to show the money to my grandmother who had never before seen a thousand dollar bill. He took it to her house, she looked at it and held it and then he put it in the bank. That $1200 was the downpayment for our 117 acre farm in rural Broome County, NY. Jim Strates was a very nice man, handsome with pretty blue eyes and wore a white suit with at least one big diamond ring, that I remember. Ever since then, whenever I have heard anything negative about "carnival people" I think of Jim Strates and how kind and courteous he was to our family. Lois Morgan >From: " Donn Moyer" <djmoyer@wa.net> >Reply-To: CIRCUS-FOLK-L@rootsweb.com >To: CIRCUS-FOLK-L@rootsweb.com >Subject: Re: [CIRCUS-FOLK] James E.Strates Shows >Date: Fri, 30 Mar 2001 09:57:43 -0800 > >Hi Agnes; >Here's a tad bit of information. The James E. Strates Shows is the only >carnival still moving by rail. It was established over 70 years ago (if >memory serves me right). Their address is; James E. Strates Shows, 10600 >South Orange Ave., Orlando (don't have the zip). Phone them at; >407/855-4330. >Good luck. >http://www.wa.net/~djmoyer/ >----- Original Message ----- >From: "A.Morgan" <amorgan@twcny.rr.com> >To: <CIRCUS-FOLK-L@rootsweb.com> >Sent: Friday, March 30, 2001 7:06 AM >Subject: [CIRCUS-FOLK] James E.Strates Shows > > > > Hi! Posted a while back looking for a Cleo Cecil Rogers. Not sure what >he >did, but he originaly came from Kansas. I believe he traveled a lot with >the >Strates shows. (not sure I spelled Strates correctly). Also traveled the >southern states a lot, possibly with different shows. Anyone remember him? >Any information at all would be appreciated. Anyone know how to contact >the >Strates shows? Thanks. > > Agnes amorgan @twcny.rr.com > > > > > > > > ============================== > > Visit Ancestry.com for a FREE 14-Day Trial and enjoy access to the #1 > > Source for Family History Online. Go to: > > http://www.ancestry.com/subscribe/subscribetrial1y.asp?sourcecode=F11HB > > > > >============================== >Shop Ancestry - Everything you need to Discover, Preserve & Celebrate >your heritage! >http://shop.myfamily.com/ancestrycatalog > _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

My husband's grandparents, and great uncle were circus performers in the late 1920'-1930, and I'm trying to find information on their circus years. Maybe some of you can help point me in the right direction. Their names were Jess Detwiler and his wife Irene Deisler; and Irene's brother Royal (Roy) Deisler and his wife Juanita. Jess, Roy and Juanita had a trapaze act. Roy was the catcher, and Jess and Juanita were flyers. Irene did an act on the rings. The following is what little nformation I have gathered from family memebers so far. None of this has been verified, and when gathering other genealogy data from the family, I've found their memories are not always real accurate. <smile> Jess, Irene, Roy and Juanita did not perform under their surname but had a circus name, that no one in the family has remembered yet. They started about 1925-26 with a tumbling act around the Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana area, and were recruited into the circus from that. Again, no one in the family can remember the name of this first circus. They were recruited into Ringling Bro's, Barnum and Bailey (or whatever name it was in the 20-30's they don't know if it was before or after the merges etc.). They toured the USA and Europe, and spent a year in Cuba. They wintered in Sarasota sometimes, are suppose to be in the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, Florida. Roy was suppose to have done some stunt work for the Tarzan movies in Silver Springs, Florida; and is said to be in one of the opening scenes swinging on a vine, but the trapaze bar is visible if you watch closely enough. Irene and Juanita made all their costumes. I have one picture of Irene in her tights. Years ago, I saw a photo of Jess, Roy and Juanita lined up on the trapeze plateform, but have not been able to relocate the photo. Irene told a story of a favorite elephant, who they would stake out by their tent to keep people from looking in the tent while they changed (which was evidently a bad problem for the ladies). He wouldn't allow anyone near the tent, not even Jess or Roy, unless Irene went out and let them in. Irene is suppose to have fallen and was injured. It took several months for her to recover, and she never returned to the circus, but Jess, Roy and Juanita continued to tour for several more years before they left the circus. That's about all I know so far. Any help on how to get the circus information on this family would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Dianne Holliday Detwiler

Does any one know anything about a rope walking couple called "Wire and Walker". I'm not sure when, but I imagine around the 1920's or 30's. Who used to perofrm with the "Pantages Vaudeville Circuit"? Also does any one know any thing about the "Pantages Vaudeville Circuit", or where I could find out information regarding people who had performed with them? Harriet Light ELSGHT@hotmail.com _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

Dear List: I am trying to find information on m great aunt Mollie Ethel Hart and supposedly husband Jack Naranzetta. They traveled in the circuses and wild west shows and may have been with the 101 Ranch. This would have been in the late 1910s through the mid 1920's?? Mollie Ethel Hart was born June 1891 in Bath County, Kentucky. She evidently joined the circus and wild west shows in her late teens or early 20's. When or where she married Jack Naranzetta is unknown but his name showed up on the deed to the farm that she and my grandfather the late William Lloyd Hart. She eventually turned her portion of the farm over to my grandfather. We have a picture of her hanging in my parents living room in a cowgirl outfit twirling a rope. My father remembers her performing in some kind of show when he was a little boy but have never been able to determine what show or circus except one of my uncles said the 101 Ranch. Interested in Jack Naranzetta. Have no dates on him, when he married my aunt or where and where they divorced and when or where he died. I simply cannot find the name NARANZETTA anywhere. Could he be gypsy? My dad says he was a full blooded Indiana Chief. I really think he might have protrayed and Indian Chief in the shows and may have been a gypsy. Any ideas, suggestions, etc. Phyllis Leedom

Hi; The Clyde Beatty Cole Bros. Circus winters in DeLand, Florida. Good luck, Donn and Nancy Moyer ----- Original Message ----- From: "gypsy" <gypsy@tir.com> To: <CIRCUS-FOLK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2001 6:43 AM Subject: [CIRCUS-FOLK] Clyde Beatty Circus > Family lore says an Aunt was in the Clyde Beatty Circus. > > Anyone know any info about this circus? She pretty much lived in California. > > gypsy > > > ============================== > Create a FREE family website at MyFamily.com! > http://www.myfamily.com/banner.asp?ID=RWLIST2 >

Hi Judy; This is undoubtedly Vern Orton. He and his wife Doris had a sway pole act and I believe that he died when the stakes pulled out of wet ground. Their signature was "Swing and sway the Orton Way". This is from my memory. You might want to check the archives of the Amusement Business BPI Communications, Inc., 49 Music Square, West, Nashville, TN 37203 Ph; 615/321-4250. This show business weekly was formally known as "The Billboard". Keep me posted if you find any more information. I don't have information on what city it is but there is a Lone Star Showman's Club in Texas. Also check the Circus World Museum at Baraboo, Wisconsin. Good luck. Regards Donn and Nancy Moyer http://www.wa.net/~djmoyer/ ----- Original Message ----- From: "Judy Driscoll" <jadris44@hotmail.com> To: <CIRCUS-FOLK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2001 4:39 PM Subject: [CIRCUS-FOLK] Vernon Liedtke > Does anyone have information on Vernon Liedtke, (Sensational Orton)? He was > born in Robinson, ND and died in 1957 in Dallas TX. He is buried at > Showman's Rest in Chicago. He was an uncle of my brother-in-law. I have no > further information on him except that he was a circus performer and I > believe he died in a trapeze accident. Since I am new at this, where would > be a good place to look for information on him? Judy > _________________________________________________________________ > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com > > > ============================== > Visit Ancestry.com for a FREE 14-Day Trial and enjoy access to the #1 > Source for Family History Online. Go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/subscribe/subscribetrial1y.asp?sourcecode=F11HB >

Hi! Posted a while back looking for a Cleo Cecil Rogers. Not sure what he did, but he originaly came from Kansas. I believe he traveled a lot with the Strates shows. (not sure I spelled Strates correctly). Also traveled the southern states a lot, possibly with different shows. Anyone remember him? Any information at all would be appreciated. Anyone know how to contact the Strates shows? Thanks. Agnes amorgan @twcny.rr.com

Hi Agnes; Here's a tad bit of information. The James E. Strates Shows is the only carnival still moving by rail. It was established over 70 years ago (if memory serves me right). Their address is; James E. Strates Shows, 10600 South Orange Ave., Orlando (don't have the zip). Phone them at; 407/855-4330. Good luck. http://www.wa.net/~djmoyer/ ----- Original Message ----- From: "A.Morgan" <amorgan@twcny.rr.com> To: <CIRCUS-FOLK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, March 30, 2001 7:06 AM Subject: [CIRCUS-FOLK] James E.Strates Shows > Hi! Posted a while back looking for a Cleo Cecil Rogers. Not sure what he did, but he originaly came from Kansas. I believe he traveled a lot with the Strates shows. (not sure I spelled Strates correctly). Also traveled the southern states a lot, possibly with different shows. Anyone remember him? Any information at all would be appreciated. Anyone know how to contact the Strates shows? Thanks. > Agnes amorgan @twcny.rr.com > > > > ============================== > Visit Ancestry.com for a FREE 14-Day Trial and enjoy access to the #1 > Source for Family History Online. Go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/subscribe/subscribetrial1y.asp?sourcecode=F11HB >

----- Original Message ----- From: Mary Pattle Hover To: CIRCUS-FOLKS-L@rootsweb.com Cc: itinerantroots@yahoogroups.com Sent: Friday, March 30, 2001 9:16 AM Subject: [itinerantroots] ALCIDO, WALKER, ENGLISH Anyone ever hear of Sid Alcido and his Royal Family of the Air? They worked on a double-trapeze up a very tall pole - the trapezes were suspended from a crosspiece near the top of the pole. "120 ft. up with no net" comes to my mind but my husband says that's pretty high up! I worked at the summer resort where they appeared, and Mr. Alcido wanted me to train to go with them. Needless to say, my mother said no, and I listened to her. Wonder if I should have? Mr. Alcido said, "We've never lost a student --- yet!" I have two letters from them, waiting to see if I was going to join them. Anyone remember a trapeze artist named Eve Walker? She also worked at the resort sometimes - I think she was English, as am I. Her rig was inside the resort theatre, which had a reasonably high ceiling. Also appearing at the Allen A Resort (Wolfeboro, NH) sometimes was a comedian named, I think, Teddy English.....his act began with him staring around at the audience, then saying, "Loooooooook at all the PEOPLE!!!!" and promptly falling straight backwards on to the floor in a 'faint!' One other act I remember was a little man in a bowler hat who'd walk round and round the stage and as he walked, his left arm would get shorter than his right, until it disappeared up his sleeve... Anyone else know anything about these people? Perhaps the Itinerantroots list would be more suited to these travelling folks. P.S. There was also a chimp act...I was asked to join as an assistant trainer...I just let all these offers go and became a dancer instead! Mary. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~-~> Make good on the promise you made at graduation to keep in touch. Classmates.com has over 14 million registered high school alumni--chances are you'll find your friends! http://us.click.yahoo.com/03IJGA/DMUCAA/4ihDAA/FCJVlB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------_-> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

Hi; Can't help you with your query but I am interested in the name Leedom. The late fred Leedom Scott who was born in central California (Fresno I think) became a star in "B" western movies of the 30's and 40's and was a close friend of our family. Any input on the name Leedom? Fred said he was named after an uncle. The circus World Museum at Baraboo, Wisconsin may have some info you are looking for, Luck on your quest. Regards, Donn J. Moyer http://www.wa.net/~djmoyer/cowboy.htm ----- Original Message ----- From: "Phyllis Leedom" <pleedom@and.lib.in.us> To: <CIRCUS-FOLK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, March 30, 2001 7:35 AM Subject: [CIRCUS-FOLK] 101 Ranch > Dear List: > > I am trying to find information on m great aunt Mollie Ethel Hart and > supposedly husband Jack Naranzetta. They traveled in the circuses and > wild west shows and may have been with the 101 Ranch. This would have > been in the late 1910s through the mid 1920's?? > > Mollie Ethel Hart was born June 1891 in Bath County, Kentucky. She > evidently joined the circus and wild west shows in her late teens or > early 20's. When or where she married Jack Naranzetta is unknown but his > name showed up on the deed to the farm that she and my grandfather the > late William Lloyd Hart. She eventually turned her portion of the farm > over to my grandfather. > > We have a picture of her hanging in my parents living room in a cowgirl > outfit twirling a rope. My father remembers her performing in some kind > of show when he was a little boy but have never been able to determine > what show or circus except one of my uncles said the 101 Ranch. > > Interested in Jack Naranzetta. Have no dates on him, when he married my > aunt or where and where they divorced and when or where he died. I simply > cannot find the name NARANZETTA anywhere. Could he be gypsy? My dad > says he was a full blooded Indiana Chief. I really think he might have > protrayed and Indian Chief in the shows and may have been a gypsy. > > Any ideas, suggestions, etc. > > Phyllis Leedom > > > > ============================== > Create a FREE family website at MyFamily.com! > http://www.myfamily.com/banner.asp?ID=RWLIST2 >

Thanks, Bee P! for the very informative and interesting bios and notices! And Ellie: I'm 77 and just went to my first circus last year, kindess of my daughter and 4 yr old grandson. It was wonderful!! Jean

I am still searching for this family--the father being Antonio Victor deCosta Machado and the mother, Romana Augusta(us). They had a circus/vaudeville/trapeze/animal act in Europe ca 1870-1900 and it seems most of the children were born in St. Michael (Sao Miguel), Fayal, Azores and Oporto, Portugal. The father came from Seville area of Spain, the mother Italy. I don't know the name of the circus but perhaps one of the father's many names (Victor??). We are told they travelled over Europe but it appears they made the areas above home base. I am in my 60's and do you believe I have never been to a circus?? Maybe this year! Ellie

Thanks Cyndi; If any of you have not visited Cyndis list then I highly recommend a visit there. The URL is http://www.cyndislist.com and the resources on that page amount to one of the single best collections for genealogists available today. Also, if any of you are looking for "Gypsy" ancestors, you may find more information using the search term "Romany" (at least I've found my BOSWELL ancestors best that way) but expect that many of these families were not very interested in being enumerated in the census reports... Consider too that what many folks in times past referred to as "Gypsy" are exactly the circus and carnival folks we are looking for..... BeeP! -----Original Message----- From: Cyndi Howells [mailto:cyndihow@oz.net] Sent: Friday, March 30, 2001 1:22 AM To: C. Turner; CIRCUS-FOLK-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [CIRCUS-FOLK] web page for Circus-Folk-L At 07:24 PM 3/29/2001 -0700, you wrote: >Source: CIRCUS-FOLK-L@rootsweb.com >Subject: [CIRCUS-FOLK] web page for Circus-Folk-L > > ><snip> >I do remember seeing a page recently re: "traveller" families. Maybe a link >from Cyndi's list. Either way - travellers, gypsies, and theatre folk are >also welcome on this list. > > >BeeP! >list admin Hello all - Yes, I have links for Gypsies/Travelers, etc. on the following page: Unique Peoples & Cultures http://www.CyndisList.com/peoples.htm Black Dutch Doukhobors Gypsy, Romani, Romany & Travellers Melungeons Metis Miscellaneous Wends/Sorbs Good luck, Cyndi

Hello Everyone, :o) My name is Linda Edwards and I am new to this list. I am hoping to make contact with people who worked for Mills Brothers 3-ring Circus, based out of Cleveland, OH, during the years of 1954/1955. Mills Bros. was owned & operated by 3 brothers, Jack, Jake, & Frank (?), Mills and ran from 1939-1966. They mostly traveled in the mid-western & north-eastern regions of the US, but they "imported" acts from England and this where my story begins. [I'll try to keep it ~really~ short.] In 1954, my deceased father-inlaw, Sidney EDWARDS [who also went by the name of Tony Laughton; was born & bred in England] was working for them as a "go-between" man for getting them British acts to perform with them back in the US. In Oct. 1954, my deceased mother-inlaw, Alma Victoria COX [who went by the name of Vicky; was born & bred in England] started working for them as well because Jack Mills was in London to find new acts for the 1955 season. He hired Vicky to be his secretary as well as be the Assistant Publicity Director, under Belle deStarr. On 27 Feb 1955, Southampton, Eng. Tony, Vicky, and the new acts left England, via the SS UNITED STATES, to come back to Ohio to get ready for the new season. From what I have gathered, Tony was now working as a clown [could possibly have used the name of "Cilly Dilly"] and Vicky, while still Jack's secretary, was now the Publicity Director. On 28 May, 1955, Tony & Vicky left the circus. [Why they left so early in the season, we don't know...yet.] {A bit unrelated: Tony also worked for Gatti Circus, based out of S. California, during the 1970's as a Circus promoter as well as John Strong Circus.] If any of this sounds familiar to you or you know someone who worked for Mills Bros. during that time period, I would ~LOVE~ to hear from you as my husband, Stephen, knew very little about his parents [~long~ story] and I've been helping him for the past 13 years to find out information on them. If you would like to see photos of Vicky [this might help to jog someone's memory] I have created a website for her and the URL will be listed below. Thank you so much for your time and consideration. Kindest Regards, Linda Edwards (genmum@juno.com} Vicky's Website: http://members.nbci.com/lindaedwards/ ________________________________________________________________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.

I think it would be great to at least get to see some photos. I am listing this site called Ancient Faces where you can put your ancestor's picture up for anyone to see. The only think I don't like about this site is that you are not given room to write anything about the ancestor. I hope someone knowledgeable comes along and wants to take the task of making a site. Meanwhile , here is Ancient Faces. http://www.ancientfaces.com/cgi-bin/index.cfm?navmode=home Also, I came across this person who was trying to get Circus, side show, carnival stories and pictures for a web site. I wrote to him and he said he had not had enough interest so hadn't done it yet. I told him to look at the new rootsweb Circus Folks and see what he thought. I wish I had written down where his website is located. He had some other topics that were really interesting. Here is his address: famjustin@aol.com Dawn

I'm looking for info on James Spencer. He was born May 1863 in New York. Family lore has it that he worked at the circus as a trapez artist and got injured in an accident. He then went to work as a painter and entertainer in New York. The 1900 census has him living in Syracuse New York and working as "painter watercolor". He got married in 1885 to Annetta Bennett of PA (a nurse). He did not get married in his hometown, so maybe he met her on the curcuit or after his accident (her being a nurse). He had two sons George (1887) and James Fayette (1892). Unfortunately this is all the info I have on him, so I would be happy if anybody could provide any clues. _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.

SCMAR, Vol. II, Summer 1974, No. 3, p.134 Died at Spartanburgh Court House, on Sunday, the 4th inst., after a painful affliction of one week, Mr. William Jones, a son of Mr. John Jones of Cambria County, Pa., aged about 23 years. Mr. Jones was by trade a tailor, but at the time of his death was employed in the company of circus performers under the management of Mr. Butler ************************ Marriages & Deaths, Greenville Newspapers, 1826-1863, p.44 Died at Spartanburgh Court House, on Sunday, the 4th inst., after a painful affliction of one week, Mr. Milliam Jones, a son of Mr. John Jones of Cambria County Pa., aged about 23 years. Mr. Jones was by trade a tailer, but at the time of his death was employed in the company of circus performers under the management of Mr. Butler

Herringshaw's Encyclopedia of American Biography of the Nineteenth Century. Addenda page xxxiii (fair use of copyrighted material) EMMETT, DANIEL DECATUR, soldier, musician, composer, was born in 1815 in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. He was a negro minstrel and song writer. In his youth he joined the regular army; in 1835 became a member of Oscar Brown's Circus company; and in 1842, with Frank Brown, William Whitlock and Richard Phelam, formed what was the first negro minstrel company. In 1859 he wrote the famous song of Dixie. In 1865 he became independent manager and in 1878 he returned to Mt. Vernon, Ohio. He is the author of hundreds of songs, including Old Dan Tucker, Boatman's Dance, The Road to Richmond, and many old-time favorites.

America's Successful Men of Affairs: An Encyclopedia of Contemporaneous Biography Volume I B James Stanton Bailey page 53 (fair use of copyrighted material) JAMES ANTHONY BAILEY, showman, was born in Detroit, Mich., in 1847. Sacrificing the advantages of a comfortable home, a spirit of enterprise led him at an early age to secure work upon a farm at $3.50 per month. This occupation proved dull, and he proceeded on foot to Pontiac, Mich., and found employment as call boy in a hotel. An agent of Robinson & Lake's circus, while a guest of this hotel, attracted by [p.53] the brightness and energy of the boy, then gave him a place in the corps of advance agents of the show. He left the circus business in 1864 to become advertising agent of a theatre in Nashville, then served as clerk to an army sutler, witnessing all the battles from Chattanooga to Atlanta, and finally accepted a place once more in the advance corps of the old circus. Here, he became so valuable that James E. Cooper offered him an equal partnership in the circus business, and the firm of Cooper & Bailey was thereupon formed. His enterprise resulted in a tour of the Sandwich Islands, Australia, New Zealand, India and South America with the circus, which proved successful. Upon the return to America, the Great London Circus was bought and added to that of Cooper & Bailey and the firm engaged in a contest with P. T. Barnum, which was conducted with so much shrewdness and energy, as to force Mr. Barnum to abandon his favorite territory in the East. Mr. Barnum then offered Mr. Bailey a partnership, which was accepted, leading to the firm of Barnum & Bailey. In October, 1894, Mr. Bailey bought the interest of the heirs of his partner and so became sole proprietor of The Barnum-Bailey Greatest Show on Earth, which he yet conducts. His winter quarters are at Bridgeport, Conn. In 1868, Mr. Bailey married Ruth Louisa McCaddon in Zanesville, O. He is a stockholder in the Madison Square Garden in this city.