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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Topic started by: humanracer on Sunday 05 November 17 21:39 GMT (UK)
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Does anyone have more/further information on the above and a date of death?
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_Holt
She was born in 1849, the daughter of actor Clarance Holt. She played Eponine in an early theatrical version of Les Miserables. According to the book Fifty Years of Make Believe she "was the antithesis of her mother, up to date, young, more than pretty and with advanced ideas on the conduct of woman. She read French novels, smoked cigarettes on the sly and played the principal "boys parts'' in burlesque."
She married Reginald Fairburn in 1880 and quit acting. She then wrote her own plays including Every Man For Himself and Waiting Consent. She sometimes used the name Mrs R Fairbairn. She had a daughter named Ada. She moved to Australia for a bit in the 1880s and had success there as did her brother Bland Holt, who became very popular.
Little is written about her activity in the 1890s but according to the below article she is the same person as Madame Harpur, a notorious abortionist:
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/839061
The below article stays the same and castigates a newspaper for confusing her with daughter of Bland Holt, reaffirming she is actually his sister.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/148073554?searchTerm=%22may%20holt%22%20%22bland%20holt%22&searchLimits=exactPhrase|||anyWords|||notWords|||requestHandler|||dateFrom|||dateTo|||sortby
The full story of "Madame Harpur" is told here:
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:u26SPUAPkmMJ:www.sahistorians.org.au/175/bm.doc/madam-harpur-the-trials-and-tribulations-of-an-adelaide-doctoress.doc+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk
The last mention in any Australian newspapers I can find on the Trove site is in 1909 after her most recent court case.
The article has no further information on her whereabouts after 1909. It also states she and her husband parted ways after a rocky relationship yet they both appear as husband and wife on the 1911 census on Ancestry:
Residence
02 Apr 1911 • Great Clacton, Essex, England
Age: 57; Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head of House: Wife
1 Source
Another conundrum is that the above article states that "Her partner was known as Samuel Brierly, Dr Brierly Fairburn, Dr Brierly and Dr Fairbairn.". This Dr died in 1898 according to the article yet Ancestry states Reginald Fairburn died in 1921.
Her father Clarance Holt, who was known for productions of Les Miserables and Count of Monte Cristo, died in 1903.
Any ideas? Thanks for Allister for his help on this and other Australian actors/actresses.
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Her birth registration shows her as Elizabeth May Holt b 1849 Bury St Edmunds Suffolk
She has "knocked" 5 yrs off her birthyear in 1911
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Possibility for her death??
Elizabeth M Fairbairn aged 83 Dec 1934 Edmonton 3a 622
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Hi,
Just confirming
According to the following South Australian newspaper article, Melissa FAIRBAIRN otherwise known as Madam Harpur:
The Advertiser, 17 April 1903. http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4938346
Melissa FAIRBAIRN, otherwise known as Madam Harpur acquitted.
Evening Journal 10 June 1903 http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/207977324
31 Dec 1908 The Register http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/57001292
Melissa FAIRBAIRN (Madame Harpur) was sent on to the June sessions by the Coroner on a charge amounting to wilful murder in connection with the death of a young woman, Laura Tucker, but a nolle prosequi was entered by the Crown Solicitor.
JM
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Ada's birth reg - no christian name shown but GRO maiden name search confirms Ada and mmn Holt
Births March qtr 1882
Fairbairn Female Marylebone 1a 668
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1881 census - May was over 6yrs older than Reginald
Reginald Fairbairn 25 barrister at law b Manchester
May E. Fairbairn 27 b Bury St Edmunds Suffolk
plus 2 servants
Emily Payne 23
Maria Rowe 37
RG11 Piece 164 Folio 39 Page 29
Births March qtr 1856
FAIRBAIRN Reginald Manchester 8d 328
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Another conundrum is that the above article states that "Her partner was known as Samuel Brierly, Dr Brierly Fairburn, Dr Brierly and Dr Fairbairn.". This Dr died in 1898 according to the article yet Ancestry states Reginald Fairburn died in 1921.
Reginald was a barrister. :) :) and he died in 1921.
Reginald FAIRBAIRN of 4 West Cliff, Whitstable, Kent died 3 January 1921, Administration London 14 January 1926 to Elsie May FAIRBAIRN, spinster. £1811/2/8 and his death: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVH9-DMSF
Elsie May Fairbairn noted as Melissa Fairbairn’s daughter in South Australian newspapers including:
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/213885876 Murchison Advocate 11 April 1908.
Reginald and May E FAIRBAIRN in 1881 https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q273-2N7R
May E FAIRBAIRN death in 1926 https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVHZ-QKVH
Elsie May FAIRBAIRN in 1911 with a Bathurst NSW connection https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XW2F-XQG
JM
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Is it possible that May HOLT and Melissa FAIRBAIRN were two people ?
JM
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1952
Will Emily TYLEY, formerly of 14 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett, England who left England prior to March 1942, and is now believed to be residing in Australia, communicate with ……. In the Estate of Elsie May FAIRBAIRN, deceased.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/168012405 Truth 6 July 1952.
From NSW BDM online index:
http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/Pages/family-history/family-history.aspx
BIRTH registered Bathurst in 1882 # 11369
Emily TYLEY
Father as James Thomas
Mother as Teresa Caroline
DEATH registered Katoomba in 1960 #28122
Emily TYLEY, aged 82 years, died Wentworth Falls.
From NSW State Archives online index:
https://www.records.nsw.gov.au/archives/collections-and-research
Emily TYLEY Died 23 July 1960, Probate granted 21 December 1960 (Series 4-517379)
Ada FAIRBAIRN and Elsie May FAIRBAIRN - two separate people?
ADD
Emily TYLEY, a spinster.
Emily Tyley, late of Wentworth Falls, formerly of Katoomba, N.S.W., spinster, died on 23rd July, 1960, intestate;
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/220242541 NSW Govt Gaz. 6 Jan 1961
JM
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1895 departing London 6 Sept 1895 on the Cuzco.
UK Outward Passengers from London, contracted to land at Adelaide (South Australia)
Ticket 57
Mrs FAIRBAIRN aged 44 (no profession)
Elsie May FAIRBAIRN, aged 13 ½
JM
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Thanks for your help. Some great info.
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I wonder who Dr Brierley was? A second husband?
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1895 departing London 6 Sept 1895 on the Cuzco.
UK Outward Passengers from London, contracted to land at Adelaide (South Australia)
Ticket 57
Mrs FAIRBAIRN aged 44 (no profession)
Elsie May FAIRBAIRN, aged 13 ½
JM
Hi Majm
Is there place you can find ships from Australia to UK? Fairbairn would have came back to London between 1908 and 1911.
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Re the return of Melissa and Elsie May FAIRBAIRN to the UK … several of the commercial family history websites should have inward passenger lists, likely based on the UK’s National Archives holdings of the Board of Trade’s passenger lists from ports outside of Europe and the Mediterranean.
Re Dr Brierley ... cannot be a second husband, she was noted as wife to Reginald FAIRBAIRN, barrister at law in 1911. :)
I am still concerned re joining the dots to confirm if May HOLT and Melissa FAIRBAIRN are one and same person .... seems reports about her 1880 husband are a tad confused about her father in law !
Well, err .... according to several New Zealand newspapers, a Miss May HOLT, daughter of Clarence (Joe) HOLT, quit the stage to marry John FAIRBURN or FAIRBAIRN.
The headline in most of these papers seems to be ‘From the Stage to the Altar”
See:
Kumara Times, 24 May 1880
Otago Daily Times 27 May 1880
New Zealand Times, 28 May 1880
Southland Times 29 May 1880
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/
ALTHOUGH the South Australian newspapers have:
Miss May HOLT, …. In consequence of her marriage with Mr R FAIRBURN, son of Sir Thomas FAIRBURN, Bart, proposes to leave the stage ….
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/160131911 Adelaide Observer 1 May 1880
Miss May HOLT, daughter of the manager of the Duke’s Theatre, Holborn, ,,,, marriage with the son of Sir Andrew FAIRBAIRN …..
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/160132816 Adelaide Observer 29 May 1880
Miss May HOLT, well known in New Zealand …. Engaged to Mr John FAIRBURN, son and heir of Sir John FAIRBURN/FAIRBAIRN.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/196695076 Leader 1 May 1880
JM
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Re the return of Melissa and Elsie May FAIRBAIRN to the UK … several of the commercial family history websites should have inward passenger lists, likely based on the UK’s National Archives holdings of the Board of Trade’s passenger lists from ports outside of Europe and the Mediterranean.
Re Dr Brierley ... cannot be a second husband, she was noted as wife to Reginald FAIRBAIRN, barrister at law in 1911. :)
I am still concerned re joining the dots to confirm if May HOLT and Melissa FAIRBAIRN are one and same person .... seems reports about her 1880 husband are a tad confused about her father in law !
Well, err .... according to several New Zealand newspapers, a Miss May HOLT, daughter of Clarence (Joe) HOLT, quit the stage to marry John FAIRBURN or FAIRBAIRN.
The headline in most of these papers seems to be ‘From the Stage to the Altar”
See:
Kumara Times, 24 May 1880
Otago Daily Times 27 May 1880
New Zealand Times, 28 May 1880
Southland Times 29 May 1880
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/
ALTHOUGH the South Australian newspapers have:
Miss May HOLT, …. In consequence of her marriage with Mr R FAIRBURN, son of Sir Thomas FAIRBURN, Bart, proposes to leave the stage ….
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/160131911 Adelaide Observer 1 May 1880
Miss May HOLT, daughter of the manager of the Duke’s Theatre, Holborn, ,,,, marriage with the son of Sir Andrew FAIRBAIRN …..
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/160132816 Adelaide Observer 29 May 1880
Miss May HOLT, well known in New Zealand …. Engaged to Mr John FAIRBURN, son and heir of Sir John FAIRBURN/FAIRBAIRN.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/196695076 Leader 1 May 1880
JM
Hi
It is certainly odd about the father in law but he is definitely Sir Thomas http://www.thepeerage.com/p40261.htm#i402608
I think it's likely Melissa Fairbairn/Madame Harpur is May Holt for the following reasons,
1. Several newspapers have stated they are one the same. Many journalists would have recognised her.
2. This article states that Madame Harpur's husband was a barrister and had a young daughter. May Holt was married to Reginald a barrister and had a young daughter.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/92303336?searchTerm=%22%20%20brierley%22%20%22abortion%22%20%22fairbairn%22&searchLimits=
3. The sketch on the following article
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/162371395?searchTerm=%22harpur%22%20%22fannie%20blain%22&searchLimits=
Looks uncannily like May Holt
http://www.mandmclark.com/userimages/May%20Holt%204.jpg
4. May Holt/Fairbairn is missing on the 1891 census so it is likely they were in fact living in Australia
5. Elsie Fairbairn is noted in conjunction with the estate of Reginald Fairbairn. Elsie was noted as the daughter of Melissa Fairbairn
On the other hand,
1. Newspapers are known to make mistakes, as you pointed out with the confusion regarding the father in law.
2.You would have thought that the true identify of Madame Harpur would have been bigger news considering May Holt was a star and married into a prominent family. It only seems to be mentioned in minor gossip columns.
3. In this article, Madame Harpur describes herself as an AMERICAN expect in this article http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article208552839 only a two years after May Holt made her acting debut in Adelaide (http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/208530566).
4. They only had one surviving daughter, Ada but why did she change her name to Elsie May?
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4. May Holt/Fairbairn is missing on the 1891 census so it is likely they were in fact living in Australia
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Are you sure that she is the only one missing - what about her daughter and her husband, .... I wonder if searching the UK census for 1891 and the census for 1901 for Reginald FAIRBAIRN, the barrister at law to seek his wife and daughter and check their names/ages/places of birth if with him may help sort your quest .... Just because you have not found May on the 1891 census does not mean they were in fact living in Australia ... even if not in the UK, there's many other outposts of the Empire :) including Canada, New Zealand, South Africa .... :D :D :D
JM
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4. They only had one surviving daughter, Ada but why did she change her name to Elsie May?
Where do you have the daughter as Ada? Sorry if I have missed it but there is no name in birth register and other references seem to be for Elsie May.
Heywood
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4. They only had one surviving daughter, Ada but why did she change her name to Elsie May?
Where do you have the daughter as Ada? Sorry if I have missed it but there is no name in birth register and other references seem to be for Elsie May.
Heywood
Ada, I original got from the wiki article and also the peerage site. Also someone posted the likely birth record for Ada earlier I think,
Ada's birth reg - no christian name shown but GRO maiden name search confirms Ada and mmn Holt
Births March qtr 1882
Fairbairn Female Marylebone 1a 668
Oddly enough I can't find a mention of the birth in any of the newspapers yet I can find articles about three stillborn children in 1880,1883 and 1884.
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sorry, I meant there is no first name in the birth register.
It doesn’t confirm Ada is the daughter but that there is a female child to the couple.
Perhaps the articles are wrong re the name.
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sorry, I meant there is no first name in the birth register.
It doesn’t confirm Ada is the daughter but that there is a female child to the couple.
Perhaps the articles are wrong re the name.
You might be onto something. The post says the index confirms "Ada" but I can't see that it does.
I didn't know you could search the GRO indexes now and even order PDFs. I did a search for Fairbairn with maiden name Holt:
FAIRBAIRN, MAY
HOLT
GRO Reference: 1879 D Quarter in PANCRAS Volume 01B Page 54
FAIRBAIRN, -
HOLT
GRO Reference: 1882 M Quarter in MARYLEBONE Volume 01A Page 668
FAIRBAIRN, -
HOLT
GRO Reference: 1880 D Quarter in MARYLEBONE Volume 01A Page 619
Also found the following on the death index
FAIRBAIRN, MARY
0
GRO Reference: 1879 D Quarter in PANCRAS Volume 01B Page 54
It is highly likely that the 1882 unnamed birth must be Elsie. Maybe the actual certificate says Ada?
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I was thinking it was the 1882 birth as it fits with Elsie.
Earlier I had a quick look at the peerage site and there is an Ada in the family - perhaps grandparent or something to Reginald.
I wondered if Reginald or Elsie were mentioned in the will of Sir Thomas?
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I was thinking it was the 1882 birth as it fits with Elsie.
Earlier I had a quick look at the peerage site and there is an Ada in the family - perhaps grandparent or something to Reginald.
I wondered if Reginald or Elsie were mentioned in the will of Sir Thomas?
Yeah. It's not my own family so not going to pay to view the will but it's a good suggestion.
Regarding Emily Tyley. In the 1939 register she is living in the same house as Elsie May Fairbairn and puts her name as Emily Fairbairn.
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To fill in a gap a little bit, Reginald joins a freemason lodge in great Yarmouth in 1885
Elsie is at an address in Paddington on electoral registers from 1918, with a fairly stable collection of individuals, although I can;t see immediately see an obvious connection between them. Emily Tyley joins in 1929, then she and Elsie are together at another address after that
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The family return from Adelaide in Sept 1908
Reginald, May El, Elsie and Emily. No ages given. Reginald a barrister, but they appear to be travelling 3rd class
added: transcribe as Fairbaun on ANcestry
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To fill in a gap a little bit, Reginald joins a freemason lodge in great Yarmouth in 1885
Elsie is at an address in Paddington on electoral registers from 1918, with a fairly stable collection of individuals, although I can;t see immediately see an obvious connection between them. Emily Tyley joins in 1929, then she and Elsie are together at another address after that
Thanks! It certainly adds a bit more "colour" to the story. Elsie probably met Emily while in Australia. No idea what the nature of their relationship was.
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The family return from Adelaide in Sept 1908
Reginald, May El, Elsie and Emily. No ages given. Reginald a barrister, but they appear to be travelling 3rd class
added: transcribe as Fairbaun on ANcestry
Brilliant. I did a search for the trip but couldn't find it, but then I was using exact spelling of the surname.
Since I am pretty much convinced now May & Reginald were in Australia and May is Madame Harpur, I am going to put together a chronology of all the events. Thanks.
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well I doubt they're sisters, even though she uses the Fairbairn surname regulalry
1911 - https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XW2F-XQP
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I don’t think this has been mentioned re Reginald’s fall from grace -1898 sentenced to 2years hard labour.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/162324175?searchTerm=Reginald%20fairbairn&searchLimits=
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I don’t think this has been mentioned re Reginald’s fall from grace -1898 sentenced to 2years hard labour.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/162324175?searchTerm=Reginald%20fairbairn&searchLimits=
Ah not on this thread but I was aware of it, thanks.
A helpful posted on the Trove forums also found the following regarding some of the "supporting characters":
Doctor Brierley left a trail through newspapers from his school years to his death. Another huge fall from grace there - gaining a medical degree in Edingburgh, becoming deputy superintendent of The Beechworth Lunatic Asylum only to die in Adelaide as (one can surmise an alcoholic) abortionist.
Then there's the colourful Frank Cherry. A swindler from the moment he stepped off the boat. He crosses paths with Fairbairn and Brierley (http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article206518782). The time Frank Cherry went undercover in the sly grog oyster bar as a favour to the police after being sprung in an illegal betting bust is a good story to look into.
Doctor Bridgewater and Brierley's doomed partnership is another colourful aspect of the story. Brierly and Bridgewater had a punch up at Aldgate before Bridgewater absconded by train to Melbourne to escape the law (charged with sexual assault of a patient).
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I am surprised Fairbairn & co were able to go back to the UK and just lead a quiet life. Maybe there wasn't a great deal of communication regarding "criminal records" between UK and Australia.
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Apart from the sad newspaper cuttings giving dates for Mrs Reginald Fairbairn's still births in the 1880s in England, there's this cutting from 1887:
The Daily Telegraph 2 June 1887, page 5. (This is the London, England newspaper, not the Sydney NSW newspaper by same name)
To the editor of ‘The Daily Telegraph’
Dear Mr Editor,
I give you 5s out of my own purse, mamma said I might, for the Children’s Jubilee Fund. I remain, Dear Sir, yours truly, Elsie May FAIRBAIRN, Convent of Notre Dame, Blackburn, May 31.
JM
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The South Australian Police Gazette October 25, 1899, page 176
Reginald FAIRBAIRN, tried at the Supreme Court, Adelaide, on the 6th June 1898, for conspiracy; sentenced to two years; a native of Manchester, England; a barrister; born 1856; height 5 ft 7 ¼ in; complexion pale’ hair dark, turning grey, thin on top; eyes blue; nose large; mouth medium; chin round. Two vaccines right arm, scar on first joint first finger right hand; two small moles left shoulder, blade scar on upper lip; scar under calf and below knew right leg. Freedom due November 1st, 1899.
JM
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The South Australian Police Gazette October 25, 1899, page 176
Reginald FAIRBAIRN, tried at the Supreme Court, Adelaide, on the 6th June 1898, for conspiracy; sentenced to two years; a native of Manchester, England; a barrister; born 1856; height 5 ft 7 ¼ in; complexion pale’ hair dark, turning grey, thin on top; eyes blue; nose large; mouth medium; chin round. Two vaccines right arm, scar on first joint first finger right hand; two small moles left shoulder, blade scar on upper lip; scar under calf and below knew right leg. Freedom due November 1st, 1899.
JM
Brilliant. Thanks. I didn't find these before.
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The first year:
Arrival in Melbourne from England, March 1888:
SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. (1888, March 31). The Argus Melbourne
MARCH 30
Cuzco R.M S S
For Melbourne-from London
Mr and Mrs Fairbairn and child,
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article6113953
Mention in the social pages a week after arriving
[Note: below article truncated for brevity's sake. Omitted discussion of Reginald Fairbairn's ancestry and family connections]
Social. (1888, April 6). Table Talk (Melbourne)
We notice that among the passengers who arrived from England on Friday, last by RMS, Cuzco, were Mr, and Mrs Fairbairn. The latter, who is perhaps, better known by her malden name of Miss May Holt, is,
the only sister of the well-known comedian Mr. Bland Holt. This lady is much appreciated in the
old country, not only as an admirable actress, but also as an authoress of considerable merit,
several of her plays, both dramas and comedies, having secured success both in London and the English provinciial towns.
She married some elght years ago Mr, Reglnald Fairbairn, an English barrister, son of Sir Thomas Fairbairn Bart,
We do not know whether this talented lady intends making any lengthened stay among us,
but if she does, we trust we shall be given an opportunity of judging of her abilities which, as we have
said, have been spoken of in the highest terms by both press and public of the United Kingdom.
[...]
Mr. and Mrs, Reginald Falrbalrn are staying at Menzie's Hotel.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article146711720
Advertisement running in Melbourne papers through October 1888:
Miss May Holt (the Hon. Mrs.Fairbairn), sister of Mr. Bland Holt,
and herself a well-known and popular dramatist and actress, has arrived in
Melbourne, and. will most, probably be appearing in some of hero own plays at
the A|exandra Theatre shortly. Mr. Alfred Dampier is negotiating with
her for the event.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article209736249
Novemember 1888 acted in her own play Men and Women in Hobart:
Theatre Royal. 1888, November 13 - Tasmanian News (Hobart)
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article163548377
AMUSEMENTS. 1888, December 8 Leader Melbourne
Mr. Harry St. Maur lhs been playing Mr.
Barnes of New York at Hobart, with fair results.
Miss May Holt is included in tho cast.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196424078
Debut in Melbourne:
THEATRICAL GOSSIP. (1889, January 3). Melbourne Punch
—Miss May Holt, a sister to our boy Bland, is shortly
to throw in her lot with the Dampiers at the Alexandra
Theatre. She will produce some of her own pieces, which
have already scored successfully in London.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article174594623
1889, February 2. Leader (Melbourne)
Miss May Holt, tho sister of Mr. Bland Holt,
has been in Melbourne some months, and will
shortly bo enabled to make acquaintance with
colonial playgoers in several new pieces, the
Australian rights of which she has purhased
from the authors. This lady will make her
debut in a melodrama, enitled Every Man for
Himself, her own production. It has been
played in England with marked success.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article198067844
(1889, March 4). The Argus (Melbourne)
THE ALEXANDRA THEATRE.
“Marvellous Melbourne” gave place on
Saturday evening, at the Alexandra Theatre
to the drama “Every Man for Himself,” in
which Miss May Holt, daughter of Mr
Clarence Holt, and sister of Mr Bland,
made her debut in Australia.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article6227189