Hi I cannot believe someone replied to this message/messages who is actually related. I am Rodneys aunty by marriage and I tried to take on this research because I found it so fascinating. Only on Xmas day did Rodney mention to me the story of the chair and the balancing act. Absolutely amazing, surely there must be some way we can work out the origins of Ernest HOPE. I have a few certificates I purchased. Will read over everything again now. You must be Betty's granddaughter is that correct. Wow great to speak with you. Regards Dianna
Hi Dianna, yes I am Betty's granddaughter. One of my middle names is "Sarah" - after Sarah Jane Towell. I am 27 in May, and saw Rodney for the first time since I was a little girl last year at Aunty Marge and Uncle Cyril's sending off (you can definitely see the Indian blood in Rodney!).
I am sure there must be something out there that could lead us on the right track - I am thinking military records at least. I suspect Ernest W F Hope's father was a British soldier stationed in Bombay (Mumbai) - I can't think of another situation that would put him in India in the mid to late 1800s. His mother must have been Indian given his surname. Another piece of information I know of that shows the Indian connection is that Ernest W F Hope used to call Sarah Jane "Memsaab" as a nickname, which means a woman in a position of authority (haha!). We don't know how they met, but apparently Sarah's family didn't speak with her (other than her brother), sadly because Ernest was a brown man.
Hi Jsmp. Do you think you could please ask your Grandmother about the story of the child who was burnt/killed in the fire. I believe/think she may have been the sister of Ernest William Francis HOPE your Great Grandfather or some relative at least. I looked everywhere in the trove newspaper site but could not find anything. The same with trying to find Ernest's birth in NSW. Just not there!! Of course he could have been born anywhere!!! Anyway will be fun to see what turns up, I know Betty had a DNA test (according to your cousin Rodney) and it showed 25% Indian blood, was that correct. Anyway hope we can find out more about Ernie. LOL. Regards Dianna
I have heard the story about his sister dying in the fire, but nothing more than that. My Nan never met her or knew of her. I will ask her about it when I speak to her today (we speak every day in case you have more questions). Yes, she had the DNA test showing 25% Indian (slight mix of North and South India), I will send you a copy.
When I spoke with Beverly Hope (Reginald's daughter to Norah), she also understood Ernest performed at the Tivoli Theatre at one point with his acrobatics, but I haven't been able to find anything that puts him as a performer there.