1897 - Cinematography introduced to funfairs

[Christopher]

Randall Williams is acknowledged by most writers as the first showman to introduce moving pictures on to the English fairgrounds in 1897. These shows lasted about twenty years and then died a death. One or two showmen were able to move with the times and opened permanent cinemas. It just goes to show that you have to be one step ahead in the fairground business. www.nfa.dept.shef.ac.uk/history/bioscopes/history.html

[jillruss]

I keep meaning to visit the Hull Library to look at their Hull Fair records.

My auntie is in her 80s but is adamant that her grandfather (my great grandfather) worked for Randall Williams round about 1890s/1914.

I have some incidental 'evidence' e.g. children being born in caravans and at fairgrounds but have never been able to put my hands on that vital piece of evidence.

One day....

Jill

[deb usa]

Hi Christopher and Jill

I must be totally addicted to looking for dead people ...

I looked up Randall Williams,

in 1891
There is a Randall Williams born Salford Lancashire, 42 Living as a lodger. His occupation is a ilusionist (sic) (Ghost Show) ...one of the other lodgers is a pugilist.

Can't see him im 1901 but in 1861 he seems to be with his family ,... his dad is a traveller with a show.

Jill, I wonder if your family was travelling with them ...

deb