GAERTNER, Catfield

[DaveG]

Hi Geoffers, a newbie here. I am trying to obtain any info on a Phillipine Wilhelmine Gaertner who died in Catfield in 1902. I have the relevant census information showing that she was lodging with a 'Barber' family for at least 20 years. She was an equestrian circus performer Would appreciate any help Dave Gaertner

[Geoffers]

Hi Geoffers, a newbie here. I am trying to obtain any info on a Phillipine Wilhelmine Gaertner who died in Catfield in 1902. I have the relevant census information showing that she was lodging with a 'Barber' family for at least 20 years. She was an equestrian circus performer Would appreciate any help Dave Gaertner
I've just returned from holiday, so sorry for delay in replying. To make any suggestions as to where to look, could you tell me if this is her married name and from census returns, where was she born?

Geoffers
Charlbury, Oxfordshire

[DaveG]

Census gives the following detail
1901 Madame Gaertner age 66 living on own means (marital condition ‘S’) born Germany FS (French subject?)
Address given as 27 Bungalow Catfield with William & Mary Ann Barber.
As far as I am aware she was a widow (possibly of Traugott Gaertner) and she had lodged with the Barbers for at least 20 years. The 1891 census gives her age as 42
She died 31 May 1902 being buried at Catfield 3rd June (according to death notices) the death being notified by a M Richards ‘causing the body to be buried’ Age at death given as 70. Full name given as Phillipine, Wilhelmine Catherine Theresa Gaertner & she may also have been known as Leopoldine
Other information says that she appeared at Stoodley & Harmstons Circus Yarmouth 1876 & at Norwich in the 1881/2 season. She was an equestrian. I hope this helps!
Dave Gaertner

[Geoffers]

Census gives the following detail
1901 Madame Gaertner age 66 living on own means (marital condition ‘S’) born Germany FS (French subject?)
Marital condition is single, and FS means French Subject. I have no experience of tracing French ancestry, so you would need to seek advice from someone else with regard to that.


Address given as 27 Bungalow Catfield
Addresses are often not very specific for rural villages, the 27 will be the schdedule number rather than house number.


Full name given as Phillipine, Wilhelmine Catherine Theresa Gaertner.......Other information says that she appeared at Stoodley & Harmstons Circus Yarmouth 1876 & at Norwich in the 1881/2 season. She was an equestrian.
The Romany and Traveller FHS may be able to help you with regard to her life travelling with the circus.
http://website.lineone.net/~rtfhs/

Geoffers

[DaveG]

Thanks Geoffers
What I was really looking to find was anyone who had studied the village of Catfield and may have some anecdotal information
Dave Gaertner

I've split your posts off into a new thread in the main Norfolk forum, where they might be more easily seen by others. I've added a suitable title.

Geoffers
Moderator, Norfolk forums

[Ann Wilkinson]

My mother's grandfather was called Philippe Jaques Eugene Gaertner, born in Place de la Bourse No 8, Paris, France on Jan. 13th 1855, to Elisabeth Gaertner (no father named) and died in Barnsley, Yorks, on Oct 7 1927.

I no longer seem to have a copy of his certificate of baptism, but Philippine Gaertner is named as his godmother and aunt on it, and her occupation given as circus equestrienne, and family lore has it that he was brought up by his aunt. Eugene performed in Lord John Sangers Circus, Boswell's Circus, Crowester's Circus in an act called the Clown and the Dancer, and also on many music hall stages.

One of Eugene's daughters was baptised Alice Christine Leopoldine Gaertner.
Another family member has done a lot of research on the family.