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Some Special Interests => Travelling People => Topic started by: scanning on Monday 12 October 15 23:50 BST (UK)
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Hi,
I was hoping that someone may have access to the book "Victorian Arena: The Performers" by John Martin Turner. It apparently contains some biographical information about Henry BERTRAND who was born during the 1840's (possibly 1846) in Hall Park, London.
In the 1871 census Henry is noted as being a comedian and is boarding in Folkestone. He later marries Julia Robinson 21st November 1883 in Middlesbrough and from about that time onwards is noted as being a Circus Manager.
The children I have found thus far were:-
Agnes Julia born 1886 West Derby, Lancashire
Albert Henry born 1887 Hanover Square, Middlesex
Walter Charles born 1891 West Derby, Lancashire
John Francis 1892 Location unknown
Lilian Violetta born and died 1894 Glasgow, Lanarkshire
Henry died 1898 in Birmingham.
Details from this book and/or any additional details would be greatly appreciated.
Simon
New Zealand
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This is the deaths of two of the children incase you don't have them
John Francis Bertrand b 11/4/182 baptism St Peters Liverpool 28/4/1892 father Henry mother Julia
Died June 1972 South Shields Durham age 80 years
Walter Charles Bertrand died age 3 months burial Bootle St Mary 7th May 1891
Amazon are showing currently unavailable for this book you might be able to pick one up in a charity shop if you are lucky ..Or you could try Wikipedia
Rosie
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Hi Rosie,
Many thanks for the burial details for Walter. I only was aware that he had died shortly after his birth, but not 100% on the location.
I checked the library for the book, but it appears the nearest one is in Australia. So a bit to far from me :)
Cheers for the suggestions.
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That's a pity could they not request a copy as some libraries do ..This is his probate record incase you don't have it ..Henry Bertrand of 100 Percy-Terrace High West Street Gateshead circus manager died 4th May 1898 at 19,Charles Henry Street Birmingham .Administration Durham 9th May to Julia Bertrand widow effects £21.
Rosie
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Thanks Rosie.
I had come across the probate record. There is also a very nice article in the "Morpeth Herald" (21 May 1898) about Henry and then also a letter from Julia thanking a lot of people who raised money to help her and the children in "The Era" (4 June 1898).
He seemed to be held in very high regard by a lot of the people he worked with and for.
I'll check with the library and see if they can get a copy. I know they do inter-library loans, but I wasn't aware that they would do inter-country. I'll definitely be checking that out.
Simon
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Hi Simon
I have a copy of the book you need. It's currently in storage but if you can give me a few days, I'll get hold of it and let you have the information you want.
Sharon
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Hi Sharon,
That sounds fantastic!
Absolutely no rush in digging the books out, I am more than happy to wait :)
Just the thought that you have the book has made my day!
Many thanks,
Simon
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Great news Simon well done Sharon
Rosie :)
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Thanks Rosie, it is indeed great news :)
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Hi Simon
Got hold of the book today. In fact, there are two volumes, both limited editions of 500 copies. The entry for Henry Bertrand in Volume 1 reads:
"Ringmaster, equestrian director and circus manager. Born about 1849, the son of Anthony Bertrand. Married Julia Robinson. Daughter, Agnes Julia, born c1863. Manager of Sanger's Hippodrome and Menagerie (travelling), and Sanger's National Amphitheatre, London, in 1875, altogether for fourteen years. Ringmaster at Hengler's between 1885 and 1888. General Manager of Wulff's circus, at Hengler's Circus Building, London, and in the provinces, during 1892-4. Manager of George Gilbert's Modern Circus, and the Chesterfield Grand Circus of Varieties in 1895. Manager of George Arundale's Royal English Circus, Birmingham, for a record ten month season, 1897-8. Died in Birmingham, 4th April 1898. Permanent address, in 1898, was in Gateshead-on-Tyne."
Above him, there's an entry for another Bertrand - named only by his surname followed by: "Gymnast. Mark Dove. Died 18th October 1867."
There are no entries for the name Bertrand in Volume 2.
I was in correspondence with the author John Turner about 15 years ago and met him once in London when he gave a talk at the Society of Genealogists about tracing circus ancestors: a wonderful researcher and very generous with his help to family historians, myself included. He sadly died perhaps 10 years ago, at a point, I think, when he was planning to put his databases online so that more people could access them.
Hope this helps.
Sharon
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Hi Sharon,
Very many thanks for the lookup! The information has multiplied what I had discovered so far immensely.
A real shame that the author has passed away and that the book was such a small run, as it seems to be a great resource for finding information about circus performers.
Once again, thank you for the information, it is definitely appreciated :)
Simon
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I think that this chap is the great grand father of Eric idle of Monty python fame ....see page six of idles recent autobiography.