Missing Maynards!

[d.v.j.redmond]

Dear all,

I hope that someone can help me locate my 2nd great grandfather Charles Edward Maynard, believed to be born between 1873-1876 in Nottingham according to several different sources. His father is identified on Charles' marriage certificate as being John Frederick Maynard, a photographer.

By 1894 Charles was a professional juggler and magician, travelling the country and abroad under the pseudonym Paul Vandy. Charles lived a long and successful life until 1950 when he passed away at his home, Wentworth House, The Green, Richmond.

In his early career he was managed by Tom Coleno, who also owned the Crown and Cushion theatre, aka Colenos Varieties. In many reviews of performances in Nottinghamshire, Nottingham is described as Vandy's hometown.

The problem is, after 7 years of searching, I have never been able to find Charles and his father on the census or in any baptism records.

Any help is much appreciated.

All the best,

Dave

[KGarrad]

He's on the 1911 census as Paul Vandy - but can't tell you about that (copyright).

Taken information from that, I think this is his marriage:

December qtr 1894
Maynard, Charles Edward
+ and on the same page +
Adamson, Mary Ann see reply #4
Barnes, Bertha Lily

[TomRees]

You can reference 1911 free index info, you cant copy/paste the transcription, nor show original info gleaned from a subscription.

GenesReunited is the best free index as it also gives Birthplace.

Vandy,  Paul  Year of Birth = 1875  Place of Birth = Nottingham  Residence area = Preston 

[KGarrad]

As he appears to be touring South Africa at the turn of the century , it is unlikely that we'll find him in the 1901 census.

[TomRees]

Ask and ye shall find 

 
Charles Maynard 30 born Nottingham: Music Hall Artiste
Lillie Maynard 25 Wife Lancs, West Derby
Charles Maynard 5 son Lancs, Sefton
Mary Cummings 18 Servant

RG13 Piece 680 Folio 112 Page 9  Barnes (Richmond / Mortlake) Surrey at 4 Cambridge Road


He doesnt appear to have a Birth Entry in the GRO Index 1866-1877


Have you eliminated this couple as possible parents?

Marriages Mar Quarter of 1872   
~~~~~~~~
 
MAYNARD,  John Frederick    St Saviour  1d 142   
TOOMES,  Caroline     St. Saviour  1d 142   


They are in Everton by 1881 RG11 Piece 3666 Folio 84 Page 2

John F born London is a Corkcutter, with Caroline he has the following children
 
Caroline E. Maynard 8 Peckham
J.F. Wm. Maynard 5 Liverpool
Henry Maynard 3 do
George Maynard 1 do

[KGarrad]

Census 1881 onwards show only 2 Maynards who are photographers:

George Maynard in Cambridgeshire
Edward Maynard in Wandsworth

Can't find John Frederick at all?

[d.v.j.redmond]

Thanks for your help guys. I literally cannot find any reference to Charles Edward Maynard before 9th Sep 1892 when he appeared under the pseudonym Vandy at The Grand Theatre of Varieties in Peter Street, Manchester as reported in The Era.

I had seen the John Frederick Maynard married to Caroline in Everton on the 1881 census but none of the children are named Charles Edward, and the only child similar in age is John Frederick William Maynard who unfortunately appears in his own right on the 1901 census living with his mother Caroline whereas my Charles Edward is living at 4 Cambridge Road, Kingston.

'tis extremly frustrating!

[KGarrad]

Consider this:

The only time we can find a mention of John Frederick Maynard is on the marriage certificate?
Maybe Charles Edward was illegitimate, and used a fictitious father?
It happened all the time!

And maybe his birth was registered under the actual name of his reputed father?

[d.v.j.redmond]

I did consider the possibility that he may have used a false name and might have been illegitimate.

I thought maybe his choice of the name Paul Vandy might have been taken from a real name.

I also thought that as by the age of 18 he was in the national papers issuing challenges to anyone of his age to match his juggling skill for the sum of £100, he must have been established as a juggler from at least the age of 16-17, which he would have been by 1891 census.

He definitely seems to have been born in Nottingham and as he was being managed by an established Nottingham business man in 1892 I reckon he probably was raised there as well.

What do you think? How do you go about trying to find a person who might have unofficially changed his name?