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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Warwickshire Lookup Requests => Warwickshire => England => Warwickshire Completed Lookup Requests => Topic started by: Bullamore on Tuesday 19 May 09 14:38 BST (UK)
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Hello, I am trying to find information on the Holloway,Chamberlain andWilkinson travelling theatre company from Chapel End, Nuneaton, Warks. Sorry no dates. Anything would be great. Bullamore.
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Hi,
I am linked to the family that you're talking about. I have already done quite a bit of research on them. The bit that's got me really stuck is the different branches of the Holloway's travelling theatre - there seem to be quite a few and the further I go back, I'm still not finding where they came from originally! A travelling theatre company is pretty difficult to track as the children are born all over the place! It might be a good idea to start with the 1881 census, where you'll find Thomas and Mary Ann Holloway. They had 9 children - Thomas, John, William, Amy Minnie, Frank, Jane, Florence, Bertha (and then I've found Rose who was born later). There may have been more in between. I would be happy to give you any info I have, but to anyone else out there - if you know anything about the Holloway's travelling theatre - particularly the New Empire Theatre, it would be great if you'd add to this.
Hope this helps!
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I know more about the Wilkinsons and Chamberlains than I know about the Holloways I'm afraid. Any particular time that you're looking for? L.
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Hi Bullamore,
My Grandma and Grandad were members of the Holloway travelling theatre. I have in my possession four pictures. Pictures 1 &2 are of Rose and Florrie in costume taken around 1902. Pictures 3&4 show Bill Holloway, Rose, Eagle(?) and a Mr Deakin performing the "Dumb Man of Manchester" taken around 1912. I hope that these are of interest to you. Please copy the link into your internet browser. Hope this works for you.http://postimage.org/gallery/hu53edk8/
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Hi, Bullamore
I have added a link to the Holloway pictures I mentioned. See previous post.
Best Regards
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hi my mum recently did our family tree and we are related to the holloways,i think they were her great grandparents,i know she has some photos of them and some scripts they wrote..
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Hi,
If I Jones or Terrybill or Bullimore can get in touch , I have a considerable amount of info on the Holloways and their Theatre Co.
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hello Bullamore,
Thank you for your speedy reply. My great grandmother was Julia Holloway who was born in Shifnal in 1871. She was one of 12 children and moved around the Midlands area doing the shows. She moved to N Wales, where we live and settled in a small village called Rhosymedre. she had 12 children and put on shows in the village square.
Apparently, she liked her ale, and often sent my Grandmother to buy a jug of beer for her !!
I have the Holloway family tree going back to 1750"s, very complicated and lots of photos and newspaper cuttings about the theatres.
We went to Manchester Deansgate Library to see the original scripts collected by Dr Ann Livingstone !
WOW !! They were special, knowing they were written by our family over 100 years ago.
What part of the family are you then ??
Regards Carol
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Hello Carol
I think you and I are related. Your great grandmother, Julia and my great grandmother, Annie were sisters.
Jan
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Hello Jan,
Great to hear from you.My G.Grandmother did have a sister called Annie, so, we must be related. What part of the country are you living, we live in N. Wales, where Julia settled and brought up her large family.
She was still performing in the village and enjoyed a jug of ale from the pub just down the road !!
She had 13 children , one of course was my Gran.
We met a Dr Featherstone at Manchester John Radcliffe University library who kindly let us peruse through old documents and scripts that the Holloways performed. She mentioned that two remaining sisters were living on Cannock Chase in their old van in 1936 where they had been stopped by the local council from performing their shows due to lack of sanitation facilities.
Would love to hear more from you
Best Regards Carol
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Hi Carol
I live in Holywell which isn't far from you. My grandfather, Archie lived in Cannock Chase with his three sisters, Hetty, Leah and Annie Mona. Their father was Horace Holloway and their mother was Annie your great grandma's sister. Annie and Horace were also first cousins, their fathers were brothers, Joseph James and Henry respectively. I used to visit them in Cannock quite a lot until my grandfather died in 1976. As a child I used to love rummaging in the huge trailer they kept all the old costumes in but I was in serious trouble if I got caught. Leah and Annie Mona were like Dickens characters. They wore their hair in ringlets well into their 80s and always had rouged cheeks. They each had their own van and I remember Annie's and Leah's were always full of plastic flowers and had pink net curtains on the windows! Hetty was quite different, I don't think she ever acted. She would cook and clean for them all, she always wore her apron and had her sleeves rolled up and, if I remember rightly, she only had two front teeth! But she was lovely, she always had a bag of sweets ready for me when we visited.
My great great grandfather Henry settled in Rhosymedre, he died there in about 1901. He was Horace's father. When Horace's mother Catherine died Henry remarried and I'm sure he married his niece, Annie and Julia's sister, Matilda!
I'm carrying on the family tradition, I do a lot of acting. I'm off to Guernsey at the end of the month with a one act play in which I play a mad Irish nun!
Great to hear from you.
Jan
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Thanks Jan, that is a lot of information to digest ! I have followed it through on the family tree and with other notes I have.
It is amazing you only live up the road in Holywell.
I do not have much info due to the fact my Grandma ,Violet (Julia"s daughter)passed away in her early sixties and Violet"s daughter ,(my Mum, Evelyn) passed away very young. I only got into the family history in the last few years. Hence, any bits of info or stories are more than welcome.
Do you have any photos of the caravans, costumes or any of the Holloways. How lucky you were to actually see them, I do envy you.
Where else have you performed and how did you get into acting ?
Did you know about the scripts in Manchester ?
If you have any more stories I would love to hear them.
Look forward to hearing from you,
Carol
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Carol
Just a quickie 'cos I'm off to rehearsals. My dad is still alive, Frederick Holloway and he remembers acting in the travelling show as a child of about 8. I have a few photos but the majority of their stuff is with my dad's cousin in Cannock. I will be contacting the family soon to ask if I can have copies. You can gladly have copies of anything I have.
I'm so sorry to hear you lost your mum and gran so young. I am so fortunate to still have both my parents who are both 86 and in very good health.
I have loads of stories but too much to write here today. I shall post again as soon as I have more time.
Jan
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Hi Jan,
WOW !! That is amazing. With your Dad partaking in the shows ,what a wonderful memory to have and to be able to relate the memories to you is fantastic.
Can"t wait to hear more from you and hopefully see your cousin"s photos and things.
Good luck with your rehearsals and with your forthcoming trip to Guernsey.
Speak to you soon, Carol
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Hi Jan,
Just a note to say " have a wonderful time in Guernsey" and keep the Holloway Tradition alive !! We are off on holiday for a fortnight, so will be in touch on our return.
Best Regards Carol.
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Hi My mothers Maiden name is Holloway her Farther was Archibald Holloway who was part of the Travelling Theatre. They had Ground where they lived in Chase Terrace Litchfield. I have done quite a lot of research into the Family Tree and My mother does have some Photos, I could dig them out if you need anything Let Me Know. I have a number of copies of Census including When Archie was at White Lion Farm rhosllanerchrugog he was aged 4 his father Horrace was age 28 wife Annie was 31 Horrace leonard son was aged 8 and Beattie daughter was aged 6 also listed is E Evans as Servant and Joseph James Holloway who is a musician and widowed at 66. You may well have this info I do have more going back further. If it helps. Thanks Kevin.
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Hi Kevin,
I don't think you realise, it's me, your first cousin, Uncle Fred's daughter! Are you on Ancestry? The tree goes back to the 1600s on Henry's mother's side. Give me a call if you like. My mum will give you my number.
Jan
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Hi Jan
I did realise after I posted, Yes I am on Ancestry I havn't done much research for the last couple of years My last atempt took me back to early 1800's on the holloway side but much earlier on the Shepherd side I'll ask my mum to get your number My home number is (*). Hope your keeping well.
Kevin.
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Hello Jan and Kevin,
Great to hear from another member of the Holloway family.Could you explain please Kevin, how we are related?
I would love to hear of any stories you have been told or any bits of information you may have.
Jan, I hope your time in Guernsey went well and you enjoyed yourself.
With Kevin having a 01745 phone code , are you in Colwyn Bay area ?? We only live four miles from Rhos, so I am goig up there to look for White Lion Farm when it stops raining !!
Hope to hear from you both soon, Carol
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Hi Carol
My Mums Maiden name was Annie Mona Holloway and she is Jans Dads Brother there Father was Archibald Holloway, We are in Prestatyn please feel free to give us a ring if you like . Best Regards Kevin.
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Hello Kevin,
I would love to have a chat with you and see what info and things you have on the Holloways. Would you mind if I gave you a ring sometime convenient to you ?
It is amazing that you and Jan live so close after all the family being dotted around the Midlands and shropshire areas.
Hope to hear from you soon, Carol
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Hello Jan,
I have just sent a note to your cousin, Kevin. It is amazing that he only lives a few miles up the road from you.
Have you managed to get in touch with your family in Cannock to find anymore bits and pieces please ? If you have any other snippets or memories, I would love to listen to them. I have read and read the note about the living van in Cannock and the last remaining Holloway sisters. WOW, it is fantastic.
Hope to hear from you soon, Carol
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Hi sorry I have not been able to get back to you sooner, yes by all means my mumwas telling me a few stories just the other day. Give me a ring at the Week End.
Thanks Kevin.
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Hi Carol,
We should meet up. Perhaps you could arrange something when you speak to Kevin. Let me know.
Jan
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just came across this topic......... i have lived since 1950, around the corner from where holloways set up their "last site", which i could see from my bedroom.
i used to go to the shop for hetty and deliver her papers and have been in the double-decker bus she lived in. i have a photo taken from my house of the site in the snow with hettys "new" caravan and leahs old wooden one. not the best of photos, tho, i think its the only one the local heritage group have of the site.
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Hello rrip,
Thanks for the interesting message. My name is Carol and I am a Great grand-daughter of Julia Holloway who married Edwin Holt and settled in a little village called Rhosymedre, near Wrexham. She still put on her shows when she was there ! Her father was Joseph Holloway.
I am very intrigued by the old double -decker bus and old wooden caravan. Could you describe some more about them. Would it be possible to have a photo from the Heritage Society, do you think ?
This message will be of great interest to Kevin and Jan who are very close family to Hetty, Leah and Annie-mona.
I look forward to hearing from you again with any info. you may remember.
Regards Carol
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Shepherd 138 - do you realise that we can all see your home phone number!
Just wanted to make you aware
- very interesting thread by the way!
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hello carol
i can send you photos, have tried on here, not able to though.
david
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Hello David,
You were probably around when I used to visit my grandfather and his sisters. My Grandfather was Archie, do you remember him? He also had a 'van' on the site along with Annie Mona, Leah and Hetty.
Jan
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carol
bit of sorting to do. will get back to you a.s.a.p.
david
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jan
yes i remember archie, he always had a collar-less shirt and big leather belt on and a wood-bine on the go.
david
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Hello. We are currently researching material for a book on the history of theatre in Ashton-under-Lyne. We have noticed the occasional visit by Holloway's Travelling Theatre to the town. Indeed, in October 1849 one Jame Holloway was summons with a charge of performing part of a stage play without a license at his booth [portable theatre] in Ashton. Does any of the band of Holloway’s out there have any details of their travelling Theatre at this time (1849)? Any photograph of the said James Holloway or his travelling theatre from this period would be appreciated. Obviously our interest is only from this said time period but any help would be much appreciated
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hello carol
i have been in the queens head in lichfield and there is still one photo in there and the land-lady said the others should be in the attic and she would try and sort them out. ive taken a picture but it hasnt turned out very good, will send it to you and try to get a better one. you can see 'holloways at the top'. the writing underneath says ; holloways side show, greenhill bower fair 1903. the bower is held in lichfield on spring bank holiday. david
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I have been looking at your postings you have a Joseph , James , henry , I have been doing my family tree and have found a John holloway he had brothers called joseph , James , John was born in Jersey 1807 they were actors have had a lot of searching to find what I have . I'm on the Ancestry site look for the shaw family tree or the Beaumont family tree if anyone can help me would be so greatful .
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Hi Everybody,
I have been researching the Holloway family for a number of years and I am always looking for new information.I am a decendednt of Edward Holloway(Teddy) and lizzie cottrell of the Cottrells swimming show.Teddy was Horace holloways brother.My great grandmother was Annie Holloway.
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Good afternoon,
I'm researching my family tree and have learnt from an Aunt some time ago that Leah HOLLOWAY, born March 1873 in Church Stretton and passed away in 1943 in Birmingham, was her sister. My Aunt seemed to think that Leah was adopted by a Holloway family who were part of a travelling theatre company and I wondered (hope) that someone may have any information to corroborate this?
Leah married Arthur OAKLEY at Hereford in 1902.
I've scanned some early pictures of Leah and her family in theatrical costumes and can send some if this will help?
I hope this rings some bells.
Regards
Peter
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Hi all, still researching the Holloway family. Would love to contact any relatives of Horace Holloway and Annie of the Prince of Wales or Henry and Catherine of the Star theatre or any decedents of Joseph and Hannah or Joseph senior of the Sans Pariel. My Great Grandmother was Annie Holloway who married Frederick Davies, daughter of Edward Holloway and Elizabeth Cottrell.Edward was Horace Holloways brother and son of Henry and Catherine. I would love to talk and exchange info, photos etc. with any member of the family. I know there are other family members out there watching these boards, please drop by and say Hello.
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I am a local historian for Atherstone in North Warwickshire. In 1935, much to my embarrassment, the local council closed down Holloway's Travelling Theatre. More than 20 years ago we were approached by G H Holloway of Penkridge who lent us a wonderful collection of memorabilia including costumes and a scale model of the theatre and we put on an exhibition in a temporary space for a few weeks only.
We now have a more permanent space and better display skills and would love to repeat the exhibition but we have been unable to trace G H Holloway to see if he/she still has the material and is prepared to lend it.
Do any of you know anything about this, I have just found photographs of the exhibition if they would help?
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Hi my mothers great great grandmother was a Hollaway. Mum has passed but I have notes (and some photos) saying Bill and Minnie were owners of the traveling side show and they had a son called Archie ( great aunt and uncle) Minnie and William Wilkinson were Mums grandparentsI think. Bertha Dawkes was an Aunt. Beatrice was part of the show and I have a picture of her dressed in an Aladin costume. Aunt Violet was also in the show. My Aunt Rose also performed. I think she was a Bates. Hope this assists. I'm now living in Australia and Mum always spoke of the caravan and wondered about its whereabouts after she left the UK in 1951.my grandparents were George William Chamberlain and Mary Elizabeth Chamberlain, nee Wilkinson
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My father was Thomas David Holloway born in 1926 to David Holloway (stage name Jack Smiles?) and Dorothy Lynch (Dancer?) . David Holloway died when my father was 7 years old and after that his mother left the company and remarried. After the death of his mother several years later he had no contact whatesoever with his family. He spoke very little to us about his childhood apart from the odd comment about being born in a caravan in Nuneaton.
I now have children of my own who have questions about my family history that I cannot answer. I have found this forum absolutely fascinating and would be extemely grateful if anyone had any more information about this side of the Holloway family, I would love to see some photo's especially of my grandfather David Holloway
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I am not connected to the Holloway family but thought that those of you that are would like to know where Annie & Horace Holloway are buried.
Annie died 12 March, 1936 in Atherstone aged 65
Horace died 14 Aug 1946 at Chase Terrace, Chase Town aged 76.
They are buried in a double sized grave with an angel standing guard.
Grave number N 0530, Sheepy Road Cemetery, Atherstone. Warwickshire.
There is another family member with them but from memory I can't remember. Will check.
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I've been looking at the Holloway Travelling Theatre Company, and their links to the Sommerville family, the Sommerville ( Somerville) family were part of a travelling theatre called the Magna Travelling Theatre that seemed to concentrate within the Lincolnshire area. I've been doing a lot of research in the newspapers about the families. I am not directly related, but my brother in law was "adopted" by a branch of the Sommerville family in Lincolnshire. Has anyone got any photos they could let me have copies of either Magna Travelling Theatre Company or Holloway Travelling Theatre Company? I have been fascinated by all the modern day connections to people like Fred Karno, The Four Holloways, Stanley Holloway, Nervo and Knox and the Crazy Gang. Thank you
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My grandparents also had a portable theatre, in South Wales.They would have known Henry Holloway. Replying to FOAH's message I've been trying to track down the model of Holloway's theatre. I have detailed descriptions from my mother and her sisters of what the theatres were like. I'd to see any pictures from when you had the exhibition in Atherstone. Does anyone know if Geoff Holloway of Penkridge is still around, or know what happened to his collection of portable theatre items. I know that around 2004 he helped with an article about the tragic deaths of Henry Holloway's 3 little girls who were poisoned by carbon monoxide in the wagon they slept in in Newtown, mid-Wales.
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I am the great grandson of Horace Holloway, and the son of G.H. Holloway of Penkridge. Sadly, my dad passed away in 2007. My mum still has most of the travelling theatre items that dad had passed down to him, and the model theatre he made is still in excellent condition.
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Message from DOS
I'm replying to Royal George's posting about the model theatre and other memorabilia. I'd really love to be able to see this model and photograph it as it must be a really accurate representation of what the theatre was like inside. I'd be happy to share information I have about my grandparents' theatre. I live in North Wales so am not too far from Staffordshire which it where I presume this material is.
How exciting to be able to track all this down!
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I am the great grandson of Horace Holloway, and the son of G.H. Holloway of Penkridge. Sadly, my dad passed away in 2007. My mum still has most of the travelling theatre items that dad had passed down to him, and the model theatre he made is still in excellent condition.
Hi, some time ago we visited your parents in Penkridge & we were made very welcome We were researching Holloways Theatre to do a reconstruction of the theatre. We were shown the wonderful model. Could you get in touch so that we can return some scripts we were lent please?
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Hi, email address is (*) I am not sure if this will be allowed to be posted
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Hi, email address is (*) I am not sure if this will be allowed to be posted
Hi ROYALGEORGE, I have sent you an e-mail. I can't PM yet.
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My Grandfather was Archibald Holloway and he lived in the Caravans in Chase Terrace until he died my Mother was Annie Mona Shepherd Nee Holloway she was born in Iron Bridge whilst the Travelling Theatre was there in 1922. I was wondering where the Theatre and caravans were located in Iron Bridge in 1922. I would like to visit. My Mum Annie Mona died 5 years ago. My grandfather Archibald is burried in the family Grave in Atherstone.