We all seem to have lots of questions and no answers. Here is my contribution today: There were lots of ways a person was in show business in the 1800s and early 1900s. I have an ancestor that was a contortionist and he traveled with a Thespian group and did the half time entertaining while scenes were being changed. I also have an ancestor that had a Stock company and traveled around doing plays. I have his wonderful old album with lots of information. He not only had his own play group, but also was in a lot of other stock companies at times. His name was Frank McCord and he had a brother, Fred McCord, who also was an actor and was in many groups. I have a bunch of playbills that show the McCord brothers had been with many groups and they even provided half time entertainment for other stock companies. When we are looking for our talented ancestors, we should look everywhere because it sure looks to me like they didn't stay with one group long. They may be with a circus for awhile and then they may be a half time show with some thespians. They also may have worked on their own or joined the carnival. I would like to know if the theater crowd should also be included with Circus Folk. Also, where could we list all the companies that had some form of entertainment? by accident I found a discussion on Sells Floto Show which is a Circus of sorts. I even have a picture of some of their animals when they were in Thomas Co., Kansas. Here is the address: http://genforum.genealogy.com/tn/messages/360.html If anyone is interested in the theater groups, just let me know and I will type up the list that I know about. I like the way people keep telling what little they know. If we have names of some of the groups, it gives us someplace to search and it looks like some of us really could use the help. Dawn

I am looking for a circus/highwire/animal act that travelled Europe the last name is either Machado or Victor. There was a mother, Romana, father Victor, 3 daughters American names are Mary, Emma and Isabelle. A couple of the girls were born in the Azores (probably where the parents were at the time performing). We are told Victor came from the Seville area of Spain and Romana from Italy. Thank you for any leads you might have. Ellie

Lions, Tigers, Bears, Clowns, places all over the world -- I came home today to check my mail and found 152 subscription notices to these lists. That may be a record for list growth in one week. Welcome everyone - Thanks for the referrals Cyndi - HI COUSINS! * As the list grows the possibility for finding relatives among Circus-Folk increases. If you're just joining us please be patient. Don't forget to visit the list web at http://circusfolk.freeservers.com about once each week. Let me know about any dead links or suggested changes. * When you post a query (information request) to the list that same message is sent to a like list at Yahoo (Circus-Folk@yahoogroups.com) as well. If you are subscribed to the Yahoo list (look in the subject above and if it says [Circus-Yahoo] you may want to subscribe to the Rootsweb list mailto:Circus-Folk-L-Request@rootsweb.com?subject=subscribe instead. You certainly won't want to subscribe to both. The Yahoo list was created for storage of files purposes (see below). Of course, if you prefer Yahoo then that is fine too but the Yahoo list messages don't automatically post to Circus-Folk-L@rootsweb.com * Maximum success is achieved by maximum exposure. If you post a query to this list then you should also consider posting it to three other places at the same time (copy and paste works well here) 1. Your query has a name in it so post the question to the rootsweb message board for that name too. Look at http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/indx/FamAssoc.html 2. Your query probably lists a place (or several) so you may want to post it to the location board for that place. Look at http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/usaindex.html 3. You wouldn't be posting here if it weren't circus related. Take a look at the rootsweb Circus-Special board at http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/gc/Special/Circus by posting to all three places and this list you increase your chances of getting a match with someone. Remember, this list and those boards are archived -- you may hear from someone 6 months from now. * Several folks have written to me "off the list" asking if I would send everything I know about their ancestor who was in the Circus. Wish I could oblige but I know less about your ancestors (unless they are Roby and Ella Campbell Bentley) than you do. Post the request to the list and boards and lets hope you connect with someone. * PICTURES... playbills, posters, etc.... If you have such treasures please take a minute to scan them and add them to the file archives at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Circus-Folk/files/ that way everyone can share. If you'd rather, send the image file to me at CoachTurner@softhome.net and I'll add it. If you have short histories or playbills which include names then please consider transcribing the document and posting the results at http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/gc/Special/Circus Feel free to post such things to this list! * Help wanted - have high traffic web page need content providers and managers of sub-webs. Job pays "the satisfaction of helping other researchers" and may pay with a connection to a cousin. Write mailto:CoachTurner@softhome.net if interested. * If you get too much mail from a list don't unsubscribe completely. In digest mode you only get one mail per day and it includes the days postings....

What we know: 1) My husband's grandfather, Charles Raymond LAME (b. ca 1874), was a "carnie" or traveled with a circus early in the century. For a time, his wife also worked with the circus. 2) Charles was raised "near Lincoln, NE", or more specifically, it appears that he was an orphan who was passed around among relatives who had migrated from Montgomery & Boone Co., IN to the areas in and around Saline Co., NE. While searching the area last summer, we went to Fairbury, the county seat of Jefferson Co., NE, just south of Saline Co., and saw a wonderful mural on one of the brick buildings there that depicted a circus scene. We ate dinner that night in Fairbury, and I picked up a brochure at the front desk in the restaurant which described the Campbell Brothers Circus, which was the subject of the mural, and told how Fairbury was it's winter quarters. (Not sure why anyone would "winter" in NE, but I digress...) We had been speculating how Charles ended up in Audrain Co., MO, and later in Pike Co., MO, where he raised his family. It suddenly hit us that perhaps he left the difficult farm life in his late teens to "join the circus". It would have been a way out of a life that he never would talk much about, and possibly the circus contingent traveled by riverboat to its different venues, which could easily put him in the locations in which we could place him. My question: Does anyone know anything about this particular circus, or how one could find out about the people who worked with it a century ago? Where could one find records? Did the censuses count itinerant circus people? Would they be recorded in the winter quarters, or just where they happened to be during a particular census? Any information would be appreciated. TIA Ruth Lame

Hi List, Searching for any info re: William ALLISON who was said to have been involved with Barnum & Bailey Circus. He was sixteen, when he ran away to join the circus & by abt. 1922 he was training horses. If there is anyone out there who might have any info regarding him, or might know of where I would find any info, please contact me. Much appreciated :-) Charlotte Belden Missouri

I have been searching for information about two brothers, Edward Gannon and William Gannon. they were two uncles of my wife that left home early in the 1900's and were said to have traveled with the Ringling Brothers circus. Edward Gannon died in Chicago in 1936 and his death certificate lists his occupation as "Actor" with the ringling brothers circus. while in chicago he lived in the New Loyal Hotel which is no longer there. William died in St. Louis, Missouri in 1957. I have checked with the Circus World Museum in Baraboo, Wisconsin for any information but they have nothing on either person. has anyone any other sources of information? If anyone is interested in the Circus World Museum their address is 426 Water Street, Baraboo, WIS

Hello, My father was brought up in the Sailors and Soldiers Home in Knightsville, Indiana. I was told before my g-mother & dad died that he had to be placed there because his mother had to travel a lot in her job. Later I was told by a distant, and very old, relative that my g-mother "traveled with a circus." If there a list or database somewhere that has the surnames of people who worked in the circus? Thank you in advance for any insight you might be able to offer me. Suki

Would like any information available on the "Iowa Giants", Charlie, Will and Sam Robinson, formerly with Barnum. I have pictures to share. Elizabeth in Texas eperiman@1starnet.com http://www.dhc.net/~design/gedcom/periman.htm ----- Original Message ----- From: Jeanelle J. Ash <ash@cofo.edu> To: <CIRCUS-FOLK-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2001 10:51 AM Subject: [CIRCUS-FOLK] Lorenzo duzenberry? > My dads relatives _the Dusenberrys_ came from Europe (Alsac-Lorraine) with a > circus that first stopped at Chicago. We've always heard they were > "gypsies". We do not have any idea what their job was within the circus. > would like to find out any information. Thank You, Jessica Duzenberry > > > ============================== > Join the RootsWeb WorldConnect Project: > Linking the world, one GEDCOM at a time. > http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com > >

Hi Circus list, I inherited two pictures in a box of photos that I believe are side show or circus photos. First is Eli Bowen with wife and family (four boys) there is also a small goat in this formal picture. The reason I think this is a side show picture is that Mr Bowen is sitting on a box and he has no legs but does have bare feet showing.On the back of the photo it says "4 paws Show" The second picture is Capt. A.H. Bogardus and Sons., Champion shots of the world. The photographer is JSenmann of 229 Bowery NY. The picture shows a man with his three sons and their rifles. I thought maybe the ancestors of this family may want these pictures or some one who collects this kind of Circus material....Kit Cutting

My dads relatives _the Dusenberrys_ came from Europe (Alsac-Lorraine) with a circus that first stopped at Chicago. We've always heard they were "gypsies". We do not have any idea what their job was within the circus. would like to find out any information. Thank You, Jessica Duzenberry

In the early sixties my friend Janice Holly married Al Youst in Chattanooga, Tennesssee. Al's family were "circus folks". Al's mom was a lion tamer and had a special cat named Tillie the Tigon. Tillie was billed as a cross between a tiger and a lion. Janice and Al and their daughter Holly (Hollie?) Youst moved to Atlanta Georgia and I lost track of them. I would like to find out where Janice is now. She was originally from Lawrenceburg Tennessee and had a sister named Sandra who married a Hay and then a Bucy. Sandra had a daughter named Tara.

I Wish to hear from anyone who may have information on John MATEER, Stunt rider last heard from in or about 1849. JOHN MATEER, left a note asking FREDRICK GAUSON to take care of his boy CHARLES BROWN aka Charles MATEER( an orphan child John MATEER took under his wing) and his horse named Texas until his returned, from his absence from the circus. John MATEER was never heard from again. He left behind a wife and children as well as this child Charles. The child CHARLES BROWN, cont. to appear on the Circus Circuit as a rider, clown and acrobat and in 1860 he was last listed with the George DeHaven's Great Union Circus then he enlisted into the Civil War where he became ill and died. He kept in touch with John's wife and children until his death. Can any one shed some light on JOHN MATEER? Sue

Hello Michael, Have you written to the Circus World Museum? they have a card catalog with more than 700,000 names of circus performers from colonial time to present. By writting to them I found information about my husbands ancestor JOHN MATEER. We new he was a stunt rider and with this information and his name, the Circus World Museum was able to provide more leads and information that we really needed Address is CIRCUS WORLD MUSEUM State Historical Soc. of Wisconsin 426 Water St Baraboo, WI 53913 I had another address as well regarding Circus research I will look it up and get back to you. Good Luck Sue Michael C Rieben wrote: > My greatgrandfather came from Switzerland in 1884. I've been told he was > in the circus probably in Kansas probably in the mid 1880's. A photo did > exist of my Great-Grandfather ,according to my Great -Uncle depicting my > Great-Grandfather as a strong man. He had a Boa-constrictor around his > neck in the photo. Any information would be appreciated. > > Thanks, > Mike Rieben > ________________________________________________________________ > 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. > > ============================== > Add as many as 10 Good Years To Your Life > If you know how to reduce these risks. > http://www.thirdage.com/health/wecare/hearthealth/index.html > > > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: > Circus-Folk-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ ------------------------ 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/n4HqaC/DMUCAA/4ihDAA/0vnXlB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------_-> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: Circus-Folk-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

I had a great uncle, Fred Morrell, who worked for a circus. The family received a letter one day saying that he was on his way home but he never made it and he was never found. This was in the 1930's. Assuming that he may have joined up with a circus while it was in town, does anyone know how I can find out what circuses performed in the Minneapolis area? Susan Wojtowicz

My greatgrandfather came from Switzerland in 1884. I've been told he was in the circus probably in Kansas probably in the mid 1880's. A photo did exist of my Great-Grandfather ,according to my Great -Uncle depicting my Great-Grandfather as a strong man. He had a Boa-constrictor around his neck in the photo. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks, Mike Rieben ________________________________________________________________ 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.

My father Merrit Shannon Bigger worked for the circus in the early 1940's in the midwest area. Any information? Beverly Bigger McCalla

Has anyone ever heard of Minelli Brothers Circus? My ggrandfather worked for them in the 1890's. This circus was supposed to belong to the Minelli family that actress/singer Liza Minelli is a descendant of. Deb Carder

Hello Carson Turner, Good luck, I've joined the mailing list and I know it's going to be a pleasure meeting wonderful friends. Learning about the Circus and its performers will be a fascinating experience. Thanks for the opportunity. Searching yesterday for tomorrow Smile, smile, smile :) Nan :)

WOW! I've been hit by many more "new subscriber" mails today than I expected would come this fast. WELCOME all! Be sure to visit the Circus-Folk web page at http://circusfolk.freeservers.com and see if there are any links there that might help you out. Don't miss the link to the rootsweb query board for Circus! Remember - rootsweb boards are searchable so others may find your connection there! Feel free to post requests for general or specific information to this list (which is forwarded to Circus-Folk@YahooGroups.com) in hopes of finding a connection. Don't be too disappointed if you don't get an immediate response -- this is still a new list and is growing rapidly. Happy Circus-Folk searching!!! Carson Turner "BeeP!" list admin Circus-Folk-L@rootsweb.com

I know next to nothing about my grandfather, Judson Henry, who was in some sort of vaudeville show with a carnival or circus or something. I do not know what group he was with or where they did their travel but I do have a picture of him in his costume. It looks like he may have been a magician of some sort and he had some of his kids in his act. I assume his travels were in the midwest and maybe even south to Texas . I know so little that I don't even know what kind of query to put out. I am new on the list and I think this list will be interesting eventually when people sign up their talented ancestors. I also have a ggrandfather who was a thespian and had a traveling stock company. I have loads of pictures of his and I have a lot of playbills that should be listed on a website. I wish I had as much on Judson Henry. Dawn