Hi, Am hoping that somebody will be able to help me unravel my circus connection. My Grandmother, Marie SCHULTZE, b. 1888 in Germany, came to USA in 1891 and the family settled in Mt. Olive, Macoupin Co., IL. Marie, she, herself said, left an abusive situation (step-father) and joined the circus as a bare back rider. Marie was an accomplished horse woman. I believe she left the Mt. Olive area about 1905. This area is close to Springfield, IL or St. Louis, MO. Marie next surfaces as Marie RABAT in Bowman, Bowman Co., ND where she m. 8 Aug 1908 William Degan. I have been able to find no information about Marie in the years 1905 - 1908. After her marriage, she remained in Bowman, ND until 1912. Then divorced, she was working in Fargo, Cass Co., ND and married Charles ROSE. They remained in Fargo the rest of their lives. I am looking for any information about a circus (or maybe a wild west show) which might have been in that Southern IL area in 1905; or an advertisement for a bare back rider during those years(I have photo's of Marie that would probably allow me to identify her); or anything else that may help. One other thing, Marie had very long hair at that time, and it is possible that her hair may have loose, falling over the back of the horse. Marie said that RABAT was her birth father's name in Germany, I wonder if it was, perhaps a "stage name". Thanks for reading and I am hopeful somebody will have some information. Sharon Buethner It is not winning and losing but it's the loyalty and integrity that make a person.