GOURIET was my mothers maiden name. The earliest family member traced so far is Francois GOURIET, poss 1775 to abt 1845. His full name was probably Dennes Francois Victor Gouriet, but used just Francois for his marriage. Francois GOURIET appeared as a Dancer in Ballets for a French Company at King's Theatre possibly as early as 1791, but certainly during 10 May-20 June 1798; also listed as Choreographer. He married Mary TENNIEL in Mar 1799 at Marylebone playbills list Gouriet [often variant spelling] at Covent Garden, Sadlers Wells & Adelphi, and as an actor in 1843 at Drury Lane, Dennes Etienne Victor GOURIET was possibly their son [DoB?]. He married Juliana CALKIN in 1819 and gave his occupation as Professor of Dancing. A "Monsieur Gouriet" is listed 6 times in Ballanchine's Complete Book of Ballets: 1. 9 Mar 1844: Her Majesty's [was King's] Theatre, Clopin Trouillefou in 'La Esmeralda' 2. 8 Mar 1845: same theatre, a woodcutter in 'Eoline, or The Dryad' 3. 3 Mar 1846: same theatre, a sailor in 'Catarina, or The Bandit's Daughter' 4. 16 feb 1847: same theatre, Knight Hildebrand's Squire in 'Coralia' 5. 19 Apr 1849: same theatre, Nilson the Innkeeper in 'Electra or The lost Pleiad' 6. 10 jul 1849: same theatre, unspecified role in 'Winter Pastimes' I would like to know more about this family. Sally Fox

Hi Noel May I ask what sight you found the picture of Stella. Greta Northland NZ

My greatgrandmother, Sarah Ann Clark (nee Howell(s) from Shrewsbury appeared at a variety of music hall theatres in London and the home counties under the name of Annie Delemont, between 1871 and about 1875. I have a number of her reviews from the Entracte and Era and from them it appears she had a remarkable voice. She did impersonations, including male ones and appeared in burlesque. She was also part of a quartette which included Misses Florence Powell, Lily Wilford and Sophie Burlette, which was very popular at the time. She left Shrewsbury and her first husband in about 1868 and I am anxious to discover what happened to her between then and her first reviews in London. Sometime during that time she also met my gt. grandfather and they married in 1871; however, in 1872 she was on trial for bigamy as she had never obtained a divorce from her first husband (although she said that she thought he had divorced her). If anyone else has any knowledge of this lady, or could suggest how I might find out where she might have appeared from 1868 to 1871, I would be most grateful. Pauline BC, Canada

I am looking for any record of performances by GEORGE A. C. WIGGINS. Born 1841 in Leeds, Yorkshire, England. The following is information I have from various newspaper accounts of his life: (Approximate time frame 1853-1873) He played the pianoforte before Queen Victoria at age 12. He received a Bachelor of Music degree in England; (Royal College or Royal Academy of Music) Taught music in England and Canada and was usually referred to as Professor Wiggins. He was pianist in the orchestra of the Royal Theatre, London for years; ...played the piano during a concert given by Jenny Lind. Thanks for any confirmation of these events. Nancy Arnett WA, USA

Dear David, Traffic certainly hasd picked up very quickly, therefore,Please remove me from the L mode. I would, however like to remain subscribed to receive the digest version. Congratulations - it looks like a success! Jonathan

Hello, I would be appreciative if anyone can help me with a name. Being here in NZ it is difficult to get reference material related to actors etc. who were around in the UK 100 years or so ago. My interest is in a person whose stage name was Stella GASTELLE. I know that her 'real' Christian name was Lillie, and would be keen to learn of her surname. She was born in 1880 and died in 1951 (in Birmingham). She married William WELFORD about 1908. I have two old postcards featuring her, (dated 1904 and 1907). A search via Google has netted a picture of her in all her finery. Is there anyone who can help please? Thankyou Noel Welford, Timaru NZ

Alfred St Clair was in 1913 the manager of the Excelsior Cinematograph Company touring in India. have several photographs of this man and possibly his family and members of the company.I have programmes for various venues and letters from the Nizam of Hyderabad's secretary about the show. Other people in this collection are 'The Five Digby Girls' and there are many photos of actors and actresses un named. I also have a brochure about the skills of one Madame Blance St Clair, professor of the pianoforte and harmony dated 1884. She was resident at 53, Mysore Road Clapham Common and had been at 38 Battersea Rise. I have a lot more items that may be of interest, eg. small handbills and posters about shows in Bournemouth and Brighton. Please reply personally [email protected] Regards Helena Aldis in Norfolk.

I have some material concerning Martin HARVEY and his daughter Katrina, known as Cata. He was a british actor born at Wyvenhoe Essex June 27th 1867 and from 1882 to 1896 was with Henry Irving. In 1898 he took over the management of the Lyceum, London as Sidney Carton. He was knighted in 1921 by George V aged 54. In the collection I have been given there are photos and letters. I would be glad to share them with genuine collectos or family memebers. They were given to me by an elderly gentleman with a slight family connection. Please reply personally to me at [email protected] Regards Helena Aldis in Norfolk.

Hi all, I have just joined this list so I thought that I should introduce myself. I have lived in Australia for the last 36 years, however I was born and bred in Blackley, Manchester LAN. My paternal grandfather was Harry WATSON born in 1886 in Heywood LAN the son of James Johnson WATSON and Sophia HEATON. On Harry's marriage certificate in 1908 he gave his occupation as "stamper and insurance agent' but by the time his first child (my father) was born in 1911 he gave his occupation as "professional acrobat". Once in conversation my father mentioned that he was born in Northampton "because his mother just happened to be there at the time" and that his sisters were born in different places too. When I questioned him on this he told me that his father was a trapeze artist that travelled around the country performing in the music hall. My grandfather later had some kind of injury that prevented him from performing so he became a theatrical stage manager and my grandmother kept a boarding house for theatrical people. Sadly my father died at a fairly early age before I had shown an interest in tracing my family history so I am not able to get any more information about Harry Watson. I do not even know if he performed under his own name or whether he was part of a troupe of trapeze artists that worked together under a stage name such as "The Flying Foxes" or something of that ilk !! When my grandmother died in 1975 she was described on her death certificate as being the widow of Harry Watson retired theatrical stage manager of Rochdale LAN. The Rochdale address no doubt was where my grandfather was living when he died as my grandmother spent all her life after his death in Middleton LAN. I have yet to trace Harry's death, but I suspect that it was somewhere in the 1920s as family heresay has it that he died before his youngest child was born in about 1926. I would be interested in any suggestions as to where old music hall records could be kept. Regards, Lynda. . Tony & Lynda Langham Gold Coast Australia http://www.ozemail.com.au/~tonylangham/Mainpage.html

My grandmother, Charlotte Cooper, was born in 1872 in Battersea. She performed in Baths, vaudeville around London with"The Professor", and was reported to have been taken to Europe at about 12 years old by Barnum to perform in his side shows. She was a friend of Krao Farini, "the Ape Woman." Her specialty was swimming underwater for long periods of time, in a glass box, while eating, smoking, and going through the rungs of a chair with her waist-long hair trailing behind. I have a picture of her and another girl in their tights when she was about 13. I have been unable to find any authority to substantiate these facts. I have tried the Ringling Museum in Florida, the Barnum Festival Headquarters Museum in Bridgeport Connecticut, the Circus Museum in Baraboo Wisconsin without success. I have also searched the Era newspaper and written to the circus museum in England without success. Can anyone help? [email protected]

Looking for information in particular about 1880-1892 when the theater was owned by a Butler Stanhope and J. Vowles. Also, an actress around that time period of an Edith Vowles and a Sarah Page. Any help would be appreciated. Norma in Texas

Hello Jean, There are no national Theatre records to speak of. Local newspaper advertisments and reviews of shows are probably the best you can hope for. The trouble is, your grandfather may have had a stage name and if he was a music hall artist, he would have travelled widely. Did he stay in Ireland or move to England? If the latter, have you found him in the 1881 census? If so, what did he name as his profession? The Theatre Museum, Covent Garden, London, which is actually a branch of the Victoria and Albert Museum has an archive but they have no name catalogues or finding aids. all the best, Nettie Edwards

Dear List Members, Any suggestions or advice on how to trace my grandfather William Moore would be greatly appreciated. He was born in Craigantlet near Belfast 1846 and died in 1915. Family legend has it that he was on stage with Sir Harry Lauder the famous Scottish tenor. Although I get the impression that Sir Harry was not so famous at the time and had not yet received his knighthood. I read Sir Harry’s biography and learned that he was born in 1869 and twenty three years younger than my grandfather. I have no idea where to start on researching theatre records. Many thanks in anticipation. Jean McCarthy nee Moore

Hello My Grandad was Patrick Joseph Brady he was born in Birkenhead, Cheshire, in 1883 I have a photo of his in his Pierot costume and quite a few bill posters, OK he never made the 'big time' but here goes:- Thespian Theatre, MOLD (no date but it would be the early 1900's turn of the centuary) Dramas like Oliver Twist, Lady of Lyons, Sweeny Todd, A Nobleman of Nature......other players include:- Mr Sam Allen Mr James Carr Mr Croucher Mr Will Priestly Mr H Gilmore Miss May Wright Miss Marie Lisle Miss Edith Giddings Miss Flo Stansfield. Other posters are Muncaster Theatre, Bootle, 1911 Palace Theatre, Westhoughton, Bolton, 1914 which includes the performance of "Bronco the thoroughbred Mustang with the Human Brain" I have one or two others in Tatty condition. Cheers Pam, in Bolton Lancs

Hello All, Leo Franklyn was my great grandfather's brother. I know a little about him but I would really like to get a photograph of him. I have some old family group shots but as I don't know what he looked like I can't be sure whether he is included in them. I was in touch with his son William Franklyn ( " Sch... you know who " )a few years ago but lost contact. If anyone has any ideas I would be very grateful. Also I picked up some old postcards at a boot fair. The subjects are Grace Chalmers, Gabrielle Ray, Violet Vanbrugh, Marie Studholme, Godwynne Earle and Zena Dare. If anyone is interested I can scan them. Best regards, Barbara Stow.

Hi, I've just joined this list because I have been told that one of my "cousins" was an entertainer. His stage name was Joe Faucet, but he was born Frederick James STARSMORE in Birmingham in 1889. He went to London in the early 1930s and lived in the St.Pancras area. Any ideas how to find out more about his stage career? The following was on the West Riding List. Apologies if you have seen it before! >Re Family Tree Magazine for May 2001 page34 suggest the ERA newspaper published from 1837 to 1939 as the primary source of showbusiness info of the Victorian age listing the cast of tour companies. Birmingham Central libraryhas the full collection on 20 CD-ROMS, Sample pages for viewing on http://www.the-era.fsnet.co.uk< Now all we need is some kind soul in Birmingham who likes spending a lot of time in the library!! <VBG> Regards Jessie in Worksop, Nottinghamshire "Gateway to The Dukeries" Looking for STARSMORE anywhere, anytime Jessie's Home Pages http://www.familyorigins.com/users/p/i/t/Jessie-E-Pitt/

Hello Would be so pleased to receive any info on singer/dancer/musical/theatre performer/actor Bobby Howes. He was on the London stage between 1915 - 1950's ( born 1899 )and his daughter Sally-Ann Howes also sang and took leading role in the film 'Chitty, chitty bang bang" I have never met the family but he was a second cousin of my mothers so I do have a special interest. Regards Jill Christchurch NZ

Dear Members, I am researching my CLIFTON ancestors, particularly my great x 2 grandfather Frank Clifton son of Thomas Clifton, gent, aka Frank R Clifton aka Frank RASLUS, b.abt 1842 Middlesex, London, slack rope performer, gymnast, acrobat, talking clown & later equestrian director. Also documented as being an Ottowa, Canada man. Married in 1869 London to widow Sarah Alvarez formerly Sarah Toledano otherwise Daniels from a performing family. Franks son my great grandfather was Joseph Clifton who took the name Joe BOGANNY famous comedian, acrobat & music hall artiste & owner of The Boganny Troupe said to have been born Liverpool 1873. Died 1943 London. Had a son Sam Linfield born Birmingham abt. 1898 aka Sam Linfield acrobat , also Cyril Boganny comedian. Joes brother was Josh Clifton music hall artiste of the 5 X Rays, Six Ceylons fame, who had daughters Dolly Clifton comedienne, and Sonya Seal. Have much information of the career of Joe Boganny but have been unable to trace his birth or his said father Raslus, the only man in his day to work a somersault from a rocking rope to groung level later known as Raslus the Champion Flying Wonder residing in Birmingham. Any info on any Clifton artistes would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Listers, Have just been advised I am probably related to Bernard Lee, who I believe was born 10/01/1908, son of Edmund James & Nellie (Smith). Does any one know how I can trace further information. John from Melbourne (Au)

Anyone out there have any information on Edna ? An opera singer - mezzo late 1800's - 1915 'ish. Amy