Gypsy, Traveller, Circus, Fairground etc. website links

[Joc_42]

Hi,

I'm hoping that someone will have some info for me. I'm trying to trace details of the Bowman family, who used to travel the country and often stopped locally to deptford when in London in the 1950-60 and prob before.

They ran a ghost train and also had shetland ponies, other than that our info is limited.

Any info would be great.

[rebekahm28]

Facebook also has a number of gypsy/traveller pages and groups to join.

[NettieS]

I found this link whilst looking for something else.

http://www.gypsygenealogy.com/about.php

[NettieS]

Hi everyone,

I dont know if this link has already been posted, but I found it when googling my family name.

http://www.geocities.ws/avonvalleycollection/search.html

[WhoDoIThinkIAm?]

Hi NettieS

I see there is a mention in the list of name interests of Stewart in Stirlingshire and Glasgow.  I wondered if you have any information on the following: there is a story my Dad told me that my ggg? Grandfather was a lion tamer who was killed (he said eaten by a lion - not a successful lion tamer by anyone's standards!  According to my older cousin, there is more than a grain of truth to this story - certainly, my Dad wasn't given to telling porkies!  My Cousin has mentioned there may still be descendents living around the Stirling area and my Mum and Dad talked about some people my Cousin thinks are from that line in Ayrshire and they may still be there.  Going that far back, my gg? Grandfather would most likely have been born in Ireland.  Do you have anything at all on this in your records?

[NettieS]

Hi Rainbow,

The Stewarts are my husbands side of the family, The earliest Stewart I have is a Peter Stewart(my husbands gggg grandfather) born about 1770 unfortunately I have no place of birth for him, his children were all born in West Lothian.
All his grandchildren were born in West Lothian and it is the grandchildren who married and moved, some ended up in Edinburgh, others in Stirling, some in Glasgow and some stayed in West Lothian.

Apart from my husbands brother, sister and mother, we have never met any of the Stewart side of the family so I am really sorry I can not be of much help to you at all.
Regards
Nettie

[WhoDoIThinkIAm?]

Thanks Nettie
Even though there are no obvious links at the moment, I will keep these details just in case.  You say you have no place of birth for Peter.  This isn't a family name for us, but he may have come from Ireland.  There was more than one exodus from Ireland, although the one around 1845 is better known.   
Good luck anyway and many thanks for getting back to me.
Kind regards
Janet

[shb1]

Hi Joc 42

Just saw your question regarding the bowman family who ran fairgrounds as am doing a little research myself.  I am the granddaughter of Fred and Alice Bowmans youngest daughter Stella.( they had I think about 14 children but am not sure of all the names but can find out from my mother)   My mother was only a young child when Alice passed away.  I have 2 newspaper articles about the family that I can scan in and send when I get a little more time.

I would be interested if you have any information about the family .  Fred Beauman (Bowman)( a grandson) who was an actor in the UK in the 70's was interviewed for the article in August 1973 and it has some great photo's and pictures.

[cathayb]

good site for all things Gypsy and romany history

http://gmb3.wetpaint.com/