RootsChat.Com
England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Warwickshire => Topic started by: LaytonLily on Wednesday 18 December 19 12:19 GMT (UK)
-
Walter William Aston (or William Walter) born 1872 Birmingham (uncle to my father) was said to be an entertainer in the theatre where he played a one-string fiddle (?) had a dog called Swanky who danced on it's hind legs and dressed in a pierrot costume. On his marriage certificate in 1901 to Mary Hedley he says his occupation is Comedian and the same given when his daughter - Dora Lily - marries in 1917 to Francis Mullen. My question is, how can I find out more on Walter William Aston ? Obviously what I would really want, is to make connection with a descendant who knew all about
him ! But failing that, any help would be much appreciated.
-
Hi could he be the Walter W Aston 18 b Birmingham with family headed by an Ann D Aston 44 Single? in 1891 census?
RG12/2381/37/13
Keyboard86
His birth registration has mothers maiden name Beards
Marriage William Aston to Ann Dora Beards Sept qtr 1868 Birmingham
Was the daughter of Walter W, Dora Lily Aston b c 1897 as she has mothers maiden name Smith, and is shown as Grandaughter aged 4 to Ann Dora Aston in 1901 census
-
That's the one. I do have the information you quote. It is about his life as a comedian /entertainer I would really like information on. I find it difficult to research ancestors once you get past 1911 census. I don't think he married Lily Smith, the mother of his daughter, as not found a marriage record. And he married Mary Hedley in 1901 - I have the marriage cert. My father used say of him that he belonged to a Pierrot troupe doing shows, and not only did Swanky dance on his hind legs, he also smoked a pipe ! Now there surely has to be some reporting somewhere on that !
I did find this some years ago in a newspaper - 25 April 1901 STAFFORD . In the Kings Name. (a play) … have suitable exponents in Mr Walter Aston and Mr Wilfred Dale which I presumed was him, though this Walter Aston appears to be an actor not a comedian.
-
Obviously what I would really want, is to make connection with a descendant who knew all about
him
Have you looked to see if he is any family trees on sites such as Ancestry, or others, and have you looked on here to see if anyone is possibly researching his family (look in Surname Interests, under Your Tools, below)?
What information is in "The Stage"?
Did he leave a will?
Have you found him in 1939?
-
Just to point out that there could be slight confusion:
GRO
Walter William Aston mmn Beards December quarter 1872 Birmingham
Walter Willie Aston mmn Holyman December quarter 1871 Kings Norton
-
Apart from 'The Stage' there was also 'The Performer' first published in 1906 by the 'Variety Artistes' Federation' which was merged into the actors' guild 'Equity'* in 1966. It might be worth contacting them to see what happened to VAF records.
* That's the British version not the American one.
-
Many thanks for the replies.
Haven't found him in 1939 - though I think I have found his wife, Mary (Hedley as was) but although named as Mary Aston she is shown as single, so I imagine she is not with Walter. Of course it doesn't give relationships in 1939 census, but she is living with others who might be related, so needs further exploration.
Chempat - I am happy that the Walter William 1872 mmn Beards, is 'mine'.
As if often the case, looking on one thread, might lead to what you were really wanting, so I will continue !
Where might the papers / magazines mentioned be found ?
I have contacted a few folks who are searching name Aston in Birmingham, found on this website, but did not get very far.
-
. . .
Where might the papers / magazines mentioned be found ?
. . .
Try 'British Newspaper Archive' (https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)your local library probably has free access.
-
Thanks Macwil - my library nor the main Birmingham library have the BNA available. I have paid for short membership of BNA at times, so might check that out again.
-
I put that there were 2 similar named men, just in case someone found something but it was about the other one e.g. deaths or 1939 or remarriages.
-
I have just found this link an google. I am researching through Ancestry with Smith Mullen tree.
Frank Mullen my grandfather married Dora Lily Aston ( b 1896) . I have had little success tracking her past and believe she was the illegitimate daughter of Ann Dora Tysall / Beards / Aston. Ann Doras marriage to Job Beards was only 2 yrs then he died. She remarried William Aston but he died in 1890
If Dora Lily was Walters daughter then I will need to research again
Please contact me if you can help
Thanks
-
Just putting that marriage:
Marriages Dec 1917
Dora L Aston Aston
Francis L Mullen Aston
Who did she claim/invent was her Father on the marriage certificate?
-
Thanks chempat LaytonLily who started this post has PM me and we will work out the Aston line
I have asked, a couple of weeks ag, for Doras birth cert from GRO but they are closed I will also try to find the marriage cert
Thank you for taking the time to help