Any info on Benjamin Ray, Comedian?

[mosiefish]

Hi,

Found them on the 1881 transcribed as Kay I thought I would post it here as then Barbara wouldn`t be looking.  Hope you don`t mind Barbara. 

80 Radcliffe Street, Oldham

Thomas Wood, Head, Mar, 30, Proffer of Music, Maclesfield
Elizabeth, Wife, M, 25, Warwick
BENJ Kay, Boarder, M, 45, Negro Comedian Performer, London
LOUISA Kay, Boarder, M, 43, Ditto, London
MINNIE Kay, Boarder, 10, Liverpool
ALBERT KAY, Boarder, 5, London

Regards,
Mo

[mosiefish]

And Minnie is the clue for the 1891 census for your John Buckley:

150 Hormington? Street, Burton on Trent, Derbyshire
RG12/2201 folio 145 page 22

John Buckley, Head, M, 23, Pawnbrokers Salesman, MAnchester
Minnie, Wife, M, 19, Liverpool

Regards,
Mo

[moom]

Hi Mo, So she did tell porky pies on her marriage cert as she has only aged 1 year from 1888 to 1891!
I was just about to reply with the info that they had 1 child (that I know of) Isabella BLANCH Buckley B: 1/4 1893 BURTON UPON TRENT.
Isabella was living with her grandmother until she married in 1912 Barton Upon Irwell. Her father John's occupation was recorded as PAWNBROKER.
So that confirms the birth date of Miriam Blanch Ray in Liverpool is correct & probably the death one for Miriam B Buckley is correct as well - she obviously wasn't very good at maths!
Well done finding her father under Kay (that would have never occurred to me!).
Can you find John & Minnie on the 1901 census if possible?

Thanks to both you & Barbara for all your help.
Best wishes, Janet

[mosiefish]

Hi Janet,

Here they are in the 1901 census.  They are Boarders at 66 Quay Street rather a lot to type and I don`t think any of them were related to them.

John Buckley, Boarder, M, 33, Salesman, Lancs Manchester
Minnie Buckley, Boarder, M, 28, Professional Singer (Music written above), Lancs Liverpool

I have just been trawling through the old newspapers    She was quite well known.  She first appeared on stage in August, 1875!!!  She probably didn`t have time for any more children!  Besides being a singer she was also a clog dancer and became the Champion Lady Clog Dancer of the World in 1898. 

It also stated that her father was known as Ben Ray on the stage.  This information also brought up a considerable amount of "hits" for him.  Mostly advertisements of him appearing somewhere. 

Here is one snippet from 22 August, 1875:

Middlesex

......The veteran Chairman announced the Brothers Ray.  These two youths gave first a statue entertainment, and afterwards executed clog dancing in such a manner as to elicit warm applause.  They were followed by MISS MINNIE RAY, who is a juvenile songstress of ability.  She appeared as "A charity School girl" who, according to her rhymes is precociously naughty.  In her second song she called herself "A Lancashire Factory Girl"  Mr Ben Ray, who is a Negro delineator of long standing and high merit, talked about "A fancy fair," and caused much laughter by the delivery of a comical list of the articles exhibited there.  A song about some peerless "Sally," a pretty performance on the banjo, and smart dancing were likewise contributed by this gentleman.

Regards,
Mo

[moom]

Wow, what fabulous information - it sounds an exciting & glamorous life!
Were there any pictures of either Minnie or Ben Ray where you got your information from?
I still haven't been able to find anything of him. I'll have a go at Minnie now!
How would I go about retrieving it...I am a totally useless at this.
thanks once again for your great efforts.
Best wishes, Janet

[jds1949]

Dear Janet

Ben Ray seems to have had some connection to a troupe called the Mohawk Minstrels - if you google for the minstrels you'll get a fair niumber of hits - most with images,

jds1949

[mosiefish]

Hi,

There is one photo of Minnie in a Newpaper but it isn`t great.  If you want to PM me with you e-mail I will send it to you.  It`s when she won the clog dancing - well just after.  Someone from Australia who missed the final, challenged her for £100.  Minnie won!

I can access these newspapers online through my library card.  They are part of the Gale Newspaper site.  Sometimes they have free trials.  Keep your eye on the messages in the Common Room as someone usually posts if there`s a free trial going.  Alternatively your own library may be offering the same access online.

Regards,
Mo

[Barbara.H]

Soo.. I've  missed a few things while I was out!    What a result!

Champion Lady Clog Dancer of the World

I would kill to have one of those in my tree!

I did see a likely death for Ben(jamin) Ray on the bmds:
Benjamin Ray, born c. 1836, died 1st quarter 1914 age 78, Chorlton (vol 8c pg 1121)

Maybe an obituary in the papers somewhere?  Are you going to look for them on the 1911 Janet?

  Barbara

[moom]

Hi Mo,
Don't laugh, but I don't know how to PMessage!!! can you let me know how as I would love you to send me the photo.
Best wishes, Janet