Hi Listers/Rooters and Cousins; I have been on vacation for a week and now I am back. I have missed my fellow listers and gen. research very much and hope I have not missed very much in my absence! About 3 wks. ago I posted a query regarding my G. Aunt Martha (Mattie) Waldo Chapman and her husband Wm. Chapman's involvment with the circus with her being the Fat Lady and he the Legal Adjuster. There were several requests that I post updates as I discovered them so here goes: When I arrived home the other day I found a letter from The Circus Museum of Baraboo, WI in response to my query to them. They were unable to locate Uncle Wm. Chapman's employmnet with Ringling Bros. but did find that he was mentioned in various BILLBOARD classified ads (Entertainment Industry Publication) connecting him to the Sig. Sautelle Circus, John Robinson Circus, Cole Bros. Circus, Mills Bros. Circus, Gollmar Circus, and Walter L. Main Circus circa late 1800's to 1930's. They were unable to locate anything on Aunt Martha as the Fat Lady but said that she probably performed under a stage name so I may need that in order to locate her. My family thinks she may have been know as the Mighty Martha (that sounds more like she was strong instead of obese, but who know?).I am in the process of sending some money to cover some copying services there at the Museum so will be in touch when I receive this info! While the Museum searched for my Aunt and Uncle they found there was several WALDO's that have been involved in various circuses over the past 100+ yrs. including the following: 1) the Great Waldo -swallowed large objects with the ability to regurgitate them without harm to the object...one of these wher a white rat! 2) Captain James Waldo - bareback riding seal act (a biggie with Barum and Bailey and several others) 3) Pat Waldo- clown with King Bros. Circus 4) D.P. Waldo - Circus Band and clown 5) Waldo's - comedy acrobats and aerialist family group 6) Jacob Waldo - mystery man and several other Waldo's who worked as supt. of lights, punch man, baggage, and contractors In light of the above, I am wondering if this obvious WALDO family involvement is how Aunt Martha got interested? I have surfed the Net agressively but have been unable to locate much on these circuses other than they were all fairly substantial in size and that most of them were bought out by Ringling and Barnum & Bailey over the 1930's - 1950's. I have not been able to locate info concerning the W. PA /E. OH circus community that my elderly 2nd cousin spoke of but am still hoping to find out of that as well. If there is still interest I'll pass anything new along as I discover it. happy trails; Patti Waldo Swaim