On 25 May 2010 at 9:32, Roger Jones wrote: > > There appears to be quite a full account of J W Holden's life here > .... http://bit.ly/d1vzFa Roger On 24 May 2010 19:51, Roy Stockdill > <roy.stockdill@btinternet.com> wrote: > As an incorrigible seeker of unusual and interesting characters > who appear in the censuses (I confess this is not entirely > unrelated to research for my bi-monthly column called Roy's > Ramblings in Practical Family History magazine), I have become > rather interested in a character called JOHN WATKINS HOLDEN, who > appears in the 1911 census as a lodger at Bournemouth, aged 68, > born at Worcester. > > John clearly had an advanced sense of humour, since in 1911 he > describes himself as "Very much married" and he gives his > occupation as "Wizard of Ye United World, Public Entertainer". I > first came across this man in the census of 1881 at St Pancras, > where he appears as "The Queen's Magician and Wizard of the Wicked > World". His then wife Jennie is down as "Balard vocalist and good > cook" and they have a daughter Grace, aged 7, whose occupation is > "Auti Spiritualist known as uzita". > > Really got you hooked now, haven't I? > > In 1891 John is living alone at St Pancras, though still married, > as a lodger and described as a "conjuror". Not really quite in the > same league as "The Queen's Magician and Wizard of the Wicked > World", is it? I couldn't find his wife or Grace, the daughter. > > In 1901 John is in Clerkenwell, apparently has a different (and > much younger) wife called Bertha and appears to have started > another family. Whatever happened to Jennie or Jenny? John is now > described as a "Society entertainer", while Bertha comes from some > place in Northamptonshire called Rothwell. > > Obviously, this man was one hell of a character and led a very > colourful life! Does anyone recognise or claim him? > Many thanks, Roger. In fact, I came across that site with Google late last night, after I had posted my message to the list. There are other references, too, from mailing lists. He was obviously a fascinating character and led a life that appears to have a number of holes in it! Like, what happened to his first wife and family? So far I haven't been able to find them after 1881 and the writer of the article appears to have had the same problem. -- Roy Stockdill Genealogical researcher, writer & lecturer Newbies' Guide to Genealogy & Family History: www.genuki.org.uk/gs/Newbie.html "There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about." OSCAR WILDE