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Some Special Interests => Travelling People => Topic started by: GregoryUK on Wednesday 30 October 13 17:27 GMT (UK)
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Hi everyone,
I have found on a census from 1851 an Ellen Stockton who is registered as being part of a 'travelling caravan' in Dallam Warrington.
I don't actually know what this means! Was she a traveler or part of a circus?
Edit: Her husband Robert Williams (born 1816) is listed as being a 'showman'. What in actuality does this mean?
Any help would be appreciated.
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Sounds very much like a travelling circus
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It does!
Her Husband's dad (Robert Williams born 1794), is listed as a 'bindlestaff' and also a 'wire worker'. He also is listed as living in a travelling caravan in Dallam. I am unsure what a bindlestaff is, but I've read working with metals was a gypsy occupation.
Where travelling caravans part of the gypsy community or separate to it?
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Hi. Greg. Although showmen and romany folk both. Live in caravans. They are very different. And remember that to gorgios./non travellers. A caravan olso mean a band of people travelling together. I am fairly sure that your people are showmen. As to the occupation bindlestaff. I think it may be a broom maker.just a guess. But travelling folks did make brushes. ..rob.
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The Williams Family would use Dallam Lane, Warrington for parking up during the winter and also when there was no fairs to go to, this may have been for a few days or a few weeks.
The William family are travelling Showmen, and are still traveling the fairs today (2015).
Regards Ted.