Minnie Harris Born December 1911 Orphanage Kent Records?

[mckha489]

In this piece (which I found by searching for Lilian Siese)

TO AID EAST SUSSEX HOSPITAL.
exceedingly graceful in " Cavatina." allowed great chic her stop | dance, arid in " Violetta" she was full of j prettiness. Lilian Siese displayed much dexterity in her " Spinning Top," and she was aleo well received in a recitation, "Bebe gibbons.' The "Dream
29 April 1922
Hastings and St Leonards Observer

Mignon is mentioned. Just as Mignon Denise,  no Harman

[Hcdelion]

Thankyou, brilliant research. It seems like we are getting closer. So from what you have found out. Mignon Denise Harman (which is a name she used on and off all her life) exists , but there is no record of birth, could it be an assumed name? she was boarding with the Cannon's from an early age , I did wonder how she became a good enough dancer to become a Tiller Girl. There are varying reports of her age, even at death she was either 33, 35 or 38. So 1913 could be possible as a birth date. Many thanks for this.

[mckha489]

Abstract thoughts,,

Both parents still alive. And a definite birth place.
If one assumes the day and month of birth are correct, looking for a girl born 18 Dec 1913, Lewisham, and has parents. So presumably not illegitimate.
So reg Dec qtr 1913 or Mar qtr 1914
1912/1913 see below

Kathleen Town’s family - in 1921 they are in Lewisham.  Is that a coincidence?

Lilian Siese joined a troupe and went off to Europe, that was reported in the Hastings press. Why wasn’t Mignon reported in the press for becoming a Tiller girl I wonder,

[jonw65]

Mckha, my maths is terrible, but don't you mean born 18 Dec 1912?
And registered Dec 1912 / March 1913

[mckha489]

Mckha, my maths is terrible, but don't you mean born 18 Dec 1912?
And registered Dec 1912 / March 1913

I possibly do. I’ve been counting it back and forward on my fingers all day!

[AlanBoyd]

There are lots of press reports in 1923 relating to Dorothy Cannon getting married (husband Stroud, a priest) and closing her school. At this point Mignon was still quite young, ~11.

[mckha489]

There are lots of press reports in 1923 relating to Dorothy Cannon getting married (husband Stroud, a priest) and closing her school. At this point Mignon was still quite young, ~11.

Yes. School taken over by Kathleen Beard.
Mignon appearing with the Plaza Tiller Girls 1928/1929.

Added…Kathleen Town was a bridesmaid for Dorothy Cannon, no mention of Mignon in the wedding write up.

[Hcdelion]

Interesting about the Town Family in Lewisham. The wife's maiden name was Alger. If Mignon thought she was Edward Elgar's daughter I wonder if this is just a confusion and that her mother was possibly an Alger? But both parents living ? And where does the Harman come from ?

[AlanBoyd]

Kathleen Beard took over Dorothy Cannon's dance school in 1923. It seems quite likely that Mignon carried on as a pupil at the school.

Kathleen Beard advertises as a "Student of the Cone School of Dancing", and in September 1923 Miss Cone presents prizes at KB's school. Miss Cone is Grace/Gracie Cone (Cohn) who seems to have had franchised schools in various places in the south east, but she was based in London. In 1921 she is living with her mother and sisters in Lauderdale Mansions, Maida Vale. She is a teacher of dancing/own account whose business address is 19 & 20 Barrett Street, Oxford Street, London.

So this is a clear connection from Mignon back to the London "dancing scene".