London Music Hall Vocalist.

[julie7239]

My ancestor gives her name as "Thomasina Wilson a Vocalist" on her daughter's birth certificate in early 1877.  Her daughter was born on 3rd January, and the certificate is dated 12th February.  She gives her residence as 3 Calthorpe Street, Russell Square, and the place of her daughter's birth as 3 Blantyre Street, Chelsea.  Both addresses are in central London, close to the Victorian theatre land.

Her real name was Rebecca Hartley Wool, born 22nd April 1854, in Lewisham, the daughter of a tailor.

How would I find out if she is mentioned anywhere as a music hall performer?  I assume that a Vocalist in that area of London in 1877 would most likely be performing in music halls.

[CaroleW]

To help with a timescale

In 1881 she is shown as having no occupation.  No child in household

RG11 Piece 262 Folio 47 Page 26

In 1871 she is with her parents occ general servant

RG10 Piece 767 Folio 67 Page 38

[John Townsend]

The best hope of finding mention of her as a vocalist may be via searches in newspapers, especially the Era, which was a specialist paper.  You need the name she was known by, perhaps "Mrs. Wilson" or "Miss Wilson".

[alison300]

The British Newspaper Archive website is fantastic; start by searching The Stage and The Era try all the other papers too - I found over 30 articles on my ancestor as he was a travelling vocalist and performed mainly in the north of England.