Torra Kitchi of Japan

[josie46]

Dont know about Fred Blekman just wanted to know how you discovered the poster i printed it out do you know if there would be any other posters anywhere that would be great thanks Josie

[Paul Budden]

Yes same Blekman we believe.  He was an Interpreter to both the Rutherford Alcock - British Legation in Japan in the early 1860's and the French. He was part of the Ikeda Delegation that visited France in 1864

[jorose]

Gallica is a great site with loads of old French books/newspapers, I thought there might be a reference to his death. There seem to also be a few brief reports in 1886 of his appearance there.

You really should try to get hold of the "Torra Kitchie" record on http://www.geneaservice.com , "esv" rang a bell and I believe it's "Enfant sans vie" - so this may be a record for a stillborn child.

[josie46]

I have a photo of a little dead baby of theirs in a coffin photo taken Sunderland 1870's and I found a baby[don't know if same one] buried with Isabella's mother's family in St Peters cem Aberdeen called Ongratua Torra stillborn will look at that site you mentioned thanks again Josie

[jorose]

This one would be one born/died in France, or they wouldn't be listed on that site.

http://anno.onb.ac.at/anno-suche#searchMode=complex&text=O%27Torra&resultMode=list&from=1
 - also some hits here (a bunch in 1883, some more in 1888) - Praha/Prague newspapers?

http://leiden.courant.nu/issue/LD/1892-02-19/edition/0/page/4
 - here from Leiden (Netherlands) show in February 1892 "O Torra", described as "the original wire act" was among the performers.

"W Pierre de Boer" appears to be the organiser here but it seems possible at this point he'd struck out on his own - the other acts are not Japanese.

[Paul Budden]

Jorose thanks. I had a look on Gallica but could'nt pull up anything other than some references to his Interpreting.. nothing on his being there in 1886 so could you point me in the right place please.. my French is only so so, but I can understand most written work I think .  Best, Paul

[Paul Budden]

Josie hi again.

looks like some members worked for Tannaker Buhicrosan's Troupes, he had 3 groups touring at one time around the UK and Europe as well as his Japanese Village in London 1885 to 1887

The Era Sat July 1st 1882: bottom of column 2..  I couldn't attach as the file is too big

Best, Paul

[josie46]

Hi Paul have typed in era but can't find that date and paper Josie

[Paul Budden]

Josie I'll try cropping it and posting it this evening. Best, Paul