William (Billy) Stephens Actor/Comedian

[Baileys]

Hi, I am Debbie,
I am new to this. I am trying to locate my Great Grandfather's side of the family. I know he was born in Oct.1875. Married in 1898, had 5 children in the early 1900's. He played all around London.
I am trying to locate his brothers Richard, John Charles, William Henry and their families as well as any other relatives.
Any help or hints as to where to look would be greatly appreciated. Where I might find photos too.

Thanks
Debbie

[almach]

Hi Debbie,

It isn't clear from your post what records you already have. I can see his marriage certificate online, and census returns, the 1911 shows he has 4 children still living, and 3 children who have died.

If you could be more specific it would save us posting duplicates of what you have/know.

http://
footlightnotes.tumblr.com/page/24

[Baileys]

Thank you for your response. Sorry for not being more specific. I am looking for his birth records, his father and mother, his brothers and their families information. I already have his marriage info and the census info. I am also looking for one of his daughters Dolly born 1903.

[almach]

In 1891 he's with his family in Chelsea, London. RG12; Piece: 59; Folio: 62; Page: 45
Richard Stephens 48, Engineer, Middlesex
Eliza Stephens 40, Bristol
Richard Stephens 22, Mail Driver, Middlesex
William Stephens 16, comedian act. Middlesex
John Stephens 10, Middlesex
Henry Stephens 8, Middlesex
(Please be aware the original sheet is not clear in the ages columns, so some of the above may be wrong)

1881, 8, North Street, Clerkenwell, Holborn, London. RG11, Piece 355, Folio 47, page 14.
Richard Stephens, 43, hot water engineer, St Lukes Middlesex
Eiza A, wife, 30, Bristol
Richard, son, 10, Clerkenwell, Middlesex
Infant, son, 0 (must be John), Clerkenwell

William isn't listed, I'll look for him, he could be with relatives or in Hospital say

[almach]

This could be William in 1881 listed as cousin. RG11; Piece: 493; Folio: 8; Page: 10
31, Candy St, Homerton, London.
Edward John Knight 36
Caroline Knight 34
Edward Knight 13
Albert Knight 8
Charlie Knight 6
Elizabeth Knight 3
William John Knight
William Stephens 6
John Primrose 44

Ancestry is playing up and I can't open the original returns.

Marriages Sep 1869, Hackney, 1b 678. Alfred John Knight and Caroline STEPHENS (possibly Richard Stephens sister)

[almach]

The nearest I can find for Dolly is: Dolly STEVENS, born 1903, domestic, sailed to Quebec on the Letitia, 3rd Sept 1926.
Her arrival records her as STEPHENS
Name: Dolly Stephens
Gender: Female
Age: 23
Birth Year: abt 1903
Birth Country: England
Date of Arrival: 11 Sep 1926
Vessel: Letitia

Also this one
New York, Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and Rochester Arrivals, 1902-1954
Dolly Stephens, Age 25
Birthplace/nationality England
Arrival year 1929
Arrival state New York

[almach]

Richard Henry Stephens married Emily Hole, both age 29yrs. On 2nd Sept 1900 at St Luke, Chelsea. Richard a Carpenter, father Richard an Engineer. Emily's father Charles John Hole a Bootmaker.

[almach]

John Charles Stephens (26) married Ivy Graham Luck (24), on 29th Sept 1907 at St Luke, Chelsea. John Charles a Music Hall Artist, father Richard a retired Engineer. Ivy's father Lionel Graham Luck an Actor, dead.

[almach]

Henry Stephens (23) married Ellen Maude Hare (24), on 15th July 1906 at St Luke, Chelsea. Henry an Actor, father Richard a retired Engineer. Ellen's father Charles Hare a Postman dead. One witness was John Charles Stephens

[Baileys]

WoW! Thank you so much for all your help and all the information. This is so helpful and makes a lot of sense to me.
Now I have good information to work with. Just wonder now I can find any living children from Richard, Henry, John and possibly connect with them or any other Stephens for that matter.

Debbie.

[almach]

WoW! Thank you so much for all your help and all the information. This is so helpful and makes a lot of sense to me.
Now I have good information to work with. Just wonder now I can find any living children from Richard, Henry, John and possibly connect with them or any other Stephens for that matter.

Debbie.

When I have some spare time I'll try to find descendants of Richard, Henry and John.

[almach]

Here's a little more

1911, Fairlight 4 Ashvale Road, Tooting SW. Piece: 2363; RD 26
John Charles Stephens 30, Music Hall Sketch Proprietor. St Mary's London
Ivy Stephens 27, Portsmouth, Hampshire
John Cecil Lionel Stephens 2, Brixton, London
Agnes Olga Stephens 1, Liverpool, Lancashire

In 1939 Ivy was a widow and Agnes was unmarried.

Christenings for John Cecil Richard Lionel Stephens and Agnes Olga were same day at Harrogate, St Luke, Yorkshire.
Nov 14th, 1909, parents: Ivy and Jack an Actor, of 103 Victoria Mansions London

[almach]

Marriages Mar 1946, Hendon, vol 3a, page 1296
John C R L Stephens and Kathleen M French.

Births Jun 1924, Barnet, vol 3a, page 690
Stephens Stephanie H, mother's maiden name Luck.

Ancestry - "New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957"
Ivy Stephens, 61, draper, born Portsmouth; Agnes Olga 37, Draper, born Liverpool; Stephanie Hartie Stephens 23, Dancer, Edgeware Middlesex.
Departed from Southampton on Nieun Amsterdam, 30th Oct 1947.

Marriages Dec 1952, Hendon. Stephanie H Stephens to Brian K Davies

[Baileys]

Thank you so much, this is fantastic information. :)

[christanel]

Hello
There is some terrific research happening on this thread. Thank you Alma:smile5:

I have moved the thread to the Actors & Artistes forum from the Introduce Yourself forum which is for doing just that. :smile:

Christina