"eccentric dancer"/acrobat collapses on Bradford stage

[6dees]

Can anyone tell me how to find out about stage performers in Bradford around 1901-1904 please? Thomas Clarke moved from Lambeth to Bradford between these dates (he made pianos in London), went on the stage, and the family story is that he collapsed on stage and died. Was it common to have a stage name, and what were the theatres in Bradford at this time? How can I start to uncover more about this sad story? I would love to have any offers of help! Many thanks.

[oldtimer]

Hi 6dees and welcome to RootsChat 

The best place to start is with Thomas's death certificate, just to give you a cause of death and a fixed date of death.

Then it would be a good idea to look at the Bradford newspapers of that date. If it is a true story then the newspaper reports will probably give a lot of information about it, and maybe even a photo.

Good luck!

Judy 

[6dees]

I have the death certificate, but can you research newspapers online at all? I am very new to all this and don't know where to start!! Thanks for answering!

[avm228]

Was he Thomas Benjamin CLARKE who died Bradford Jun qtr 1904 aged 32?

What exactly does the death certificate say as to his date, place & cause of death, and who was the informant of the death?

[6dees]

Yes, that's him. Date of death was 23rd April 1904 at the Royal Infirmary, Bradford. Cause of death was acute lobar pneumonia, and the informant was a J. Swaine who was present at the death. (No idea who that is).

[LizzieW]

It's possible that he collapsed on stage as he was suffering from pneumonia, was taken to hospital and died there.  The informant might have been a member of the hospital staff.

My g.grandfather apparently fell off his horse and cart drunk and died, but his death cert also shows pneumonia.

Even today, elderly people (although my g.grandfather was only 45 when he died in 1892) quite often die of pneumonia after falls.

Lizzie

[oldtimer]

Local libraries usually keep old newspapers and often have them on microfilm too.

If you can't get to Bradford, you could perhaps ask SKS on the West Yorkshire board if they could have a quick look for you the next time time they visit the library.

Or contact Bradford library to see if they can give you any information.

[6dees]

I'll try that...it would be so good to find out. What helpful people you are, thank you! I'm very pleased to have found this site!