Vesta Tilley

[Thomasin]

In 1871 Matilda Ballis found in Worcester with Matilda A Ball (age 6 - this is Vesta Tilley) and Maria Ball.

Looking at the 1871 image, I think you'll find that Maria E Ball is actually Maud E(lizabeth).

[Thomasin]

Do you have the family performing team in 1881?

Harry BALL Head Married 39 Comedian and Musician b. Builth, Brecknockshire
Matilda A BALL Daughter 16 Actress & Burlesque b. Worcester
Henry BALL Son 9 Scholar b. Worcester

184, Lambeth Road, Lambeth
RG11; 590; 25; 11 (copyright TNA)

[bumblebee]

Following on from Thomasins find.

1871 Oldham, Lancashire (I found Harry Ball advertised as performing in Lancashire around this time)
Harry Ball, born Wales, abt 1843, Vocalist. Married
with other people including 2 acrobats.

Class: RG10; Piece: 4100; Folio: 116; Page: 2;

Bumblebee

[Peter Goodey]

Tilley, Vesta [real name Matilda Alice Powles; married name Matilda Alice de Frece, Lady de Frece] (1864–1952), music-hall entertainer, was born in Commandery Street, Worcester, on 13 May 1864, the second of the thirteen children of Henry Powles (c.1842–1889), a china painter with theatrical ambitions, and his wife, Matilda, née Broughton.

-DNB

[suemalings]

Thanks to all for your information. I still haven't managed to find 13 children so have contacted the Worcester Museum. Will wait and see if they come up with any other names. As the family seemed to change their names often I wonder if one or two of them have been counted twice!

[Ruby2er]

Hi apparently my grandma was vesta Tilly's cousin my grandma was Nellie ball lived in gorton Manchester