Hi Listers, I was listening to UK BBC4 steam radio today 15.00 hours "Making History" A caller was enquiring about a Halls/radio performer caller "Stainless Stephen". I can remember him in the 1930-40s Apparently, on the stage he wore a stainless steel (waistcoat - not sure if I got that bit right) I hastily scribbled these notes as I thought someone on the list might be interested. Arthur CLIFFORD of Sheffield, an ex schoolteacher who had taught English. Punctuation was a specialty of his and he made it part of his act, in that he used to speak the punctuation into his patter. (Not like Victor BORGE? who punctuated his patter with noises). He moved easily from the stage into radio and retired in 1952. In 1954 described himself as a gentleman farmer. Died at a "ripe old age" in 1971 (check this!!) Obit in Daily Mail etc. Still haven't had any response to my queries to the list about: Actor Edward PALMER, born 1839, Burton on Trent, Stafford, . married 4 Aug 1873, Actress Alice FOSTER born 1842, Lathom, Lancs, Census 1881, census place Ashton in Makerfield Children: Josiah FOSTER (of Alice?) b 1868 & Florence PALMER b. 1870 Anomaly - daughter Florence DOB is 3 yrs prior to marriage to Edward Palmer. Anomaly - birthplace of Alice given as John's Wood, MID, not Lathom? Children by Alice & Unknown (could be Palmer?). Josiah FOSTER born 12 Nov 1868, Lathom, LANcs, died 15 Oct 1886, Heyes Park Farm, buried: St James Ch. WESTHEAD, nr ORMSKIRK. Death cert. gives cause of death as Phthisis (rotting of flesh) = (TB), and shown in attendance at death, was John Foster, an uncle, of Burscough At 1881 census -Josiah was living as a grandson, with Ellen FOSTER at Heyes Fm . Children by Edward PALMER: ii PALMER Florence born 1870, Otley, YKS, occupation Scholar in 1881 census. Query - was Florence surnamed FOSTER or PALMER on her birth certificate. Alice FOSTER & Edward PALMER did not marry until 3 yrs after her birth. She was born in Otley YKS, possibly while Alice (& Edward?) were on the road as thesbians. Her birth certificate not yet seen (6/6/2001). Could not locate in GRO BMDs ?