ALLEN family, circus performers 1901

[Jane Elderfield]

These are not my people; are they yours?

I just happened to see them on the 1901 census, RG 13 Piece 4531 Folio 52 Page 42, Central Ward, Scarborough, North Yorkshire.

58 St. Thomas St. Prince of Wailes Circus
Henry B Croft and family....
a number of Lodgers, including:

Walter ALLEN 36 Circus Clown
Florrie E. ALLEN 14 Wire Walker
Elsie F. ALLEN 9 Contortionist

and, in the "stables", seven "Circus Grooms", all with Italian names.

--Jane E

[Barnzzz]

They sound fascinating. I wish they were mine as I've been going through an 'ag lab period' for a while now and need some excitement
Sue

[Keyboard86]

What a cracking post Jane, let's hope it leads to many "Threads"
Keyboard86

[Jane Elderfield]

Yes, aren't they lovely? (I especially liked the Prince of Wailes Circus.)

My relations lived at number 64. I hope ten-year-old Thomas King slipped away sometimes to the stables to watch winter rehearsals, or to learn some Italian from the grooms, Giovanni, Guiseppe, Fovi, Dallara, Belaschi, Giccochi, and Donzissi.

--Jane E

[a11an]

Hello Jane

I have just joined the forum because your post came up in a Google search

Walter Allen is my Great Grand Father.
He was an Equestrian and a Clown, known as Nimble Nip

My cousin has been trying to trace his father for some time now, but as they rarely stay in one place for long it’s been a hard search and she still hasn’t found him.

My Grand Father was Walter Allen and my Father was Walter Allen, they stopped with me, just plain Paul Allen

Regards Paul Allen

[Sue Mackay]

Welcome to the forum Paul. I just love it when a B-G post on Google scores a 'hit'. I love the name Nimble Nip

Hopefull all the B-G sleuths will now try to track down Walter for you.....

[Sue Mackay]

Walter Allen is my Great Grand Father.
He was an Equestrian and a Clown, known as Nimble Nip

Are there any leads for you here?

[Jane Elderfield]

Hello Jane

I have just joined the forum because your post came up in a Google search

Walter Allen is my Great Grand Father.
He was an Equestrian and a Clown, known as Nimble Nip

My cousin has been trying to trace his father for some time now, but as they rarely stay in one place for long it's been a hard search and she still hasn't found him....

Paul--

I am absolutely delighted that my random find of a circus has been of use to some descendants.

Welcome to this forum (you can put a short write-up about yourself on INTRODUCTIONS, and get more welcomes.) You'll find that many members are very keen to help others, and many of them have access to specialized data-bases or insider knowledge that can give you just the clue you need.

Looking forward to learning more about Nimble Nip and his family and career--
--Jane E

[cdrinkhall]

Hi Paul, I have some informtion about the Allens. My GGGgrandfater William Smith who preformed as William Atrato was in partnership with several people including John Roworth Allen I have a copy of a progamme when the circus was in Darlington. They were recorded as living in Westoe Durham details1881 Census. Also details of a burial in Darlington Cemetry Mary Jane Allen (Died 1874)

Bareback horse rider and wife of the Excelsior Circus proprietor Frederick Allen. The Excelsior Circus toured all over the north-east of England. Mary Jane died of bronchitis while the circus was passing though Darlington.

[janetbaker]

Hi Paul, does your Allen family have a Thomas H Allen who was a circus performer and was once a double act with my great grandfather William Smith (Stage name Atrato) Regards Janet Baker