ERNEST HOPE Acrobat

[Neale1961]

Yes, I also read ½ caste on Ernest’s prison record, and I was also interested to see religion as RC.

Here are some notes I took in relation to circuses in West Aust when this was first mentioned (many posts ago!)


•   Hylands Circus was in West Australia in 1907
•   Bernard’s Circus in WA May 1908. Seems to be a smaller outfit than Fitzgerald’s Circus.
•   Fitzgerald’s Circus and the 5 Flying Herberts – in WA 1908
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/90429693?searchTerm=circus

Note -The Flying Herberts (acrobats)
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/90483067?searchTerm=circus
interesting read - mentions the members and training at 12 yrs old, etc.

The 7 Flying Herberts were with Wirth’s Circus in 1906
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/186561438?searchTerm=%22Flying%20Herberts%22

From about 1907 (George) Dalbeanie the “great equilibrist” appears in Australia - often on same bill as the Flying Herberts, and with the Fitzgerald’s and Wirth’s Circuses.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/90423452?searchTerm=Dalbeanie%20AND%20equilibrist

[sparrett]

Hi.
Yes half-caste.
Yes, I would agree about Fitzgeralds Circus.

In reply #162, I mentioned that Wirth's was doing the Eastern States at that time. It was NSW and Qld I think..

It would be interesting to know how much Hindi he actually spoke.
Have you any idea about that Dianna?
A few words could be picked up anywhere, but to carry on a conversation, he would have needed a lot more exposure.

Religion.....
Ernie's proposed father Samuel FRANCIS states Wesleyan.

His mother's husband Francis B. LEE who suicided in 1924, was buried in the Independant section of Rookwood.

Francis B LEE was b. NZ to Francis and Anna (nee Stewart) LEE  Religion??

Dianna says the WHITE's were Protestant.

Phillip WIRTH was buried in the Anglican section of North Adelaide Cemetery.
Hard to pinpoint the RC element.

Sue

[haney]

Hi Sue re the Hindi, I'm not sure.  I know he used to call is wife Sarah "memsahib" which is a term of respect I believe to a (white?) woman.

I would have to gather more information about that.  Which is like trying to pull teeth.  LOL.

I have two contacts in the family and I believe one of them Betty's Grandaughter is going to try and find some photos/etc.

She is the one who told me about the Hindi language.

Of course he could have picked this up from one of the other performers who were Indian OR if he travelled in India could have picked it up there.  So many theory's

The religion situation (with Samuel Francis) is all over the place. 

I cited three? different ones ie WESLEYAN, RC and Mohomat??  I will have to find that record again.  I think it was the 1884 Conviction for Samuel F.

The records I have seen re BDM'S suggest that the WHITES were Church of England!

Their ethnicity could have been originally English.

Yes it is hard to pinpoint.  I thought the Fitzeralds may have been Catholic OR Ernie was adopted by Catholics (and kept his real name WHITE) OR what other reason.

He was left at the door of the Catholic Church??? Newtown, Marrickville (ONLY guessing)

I don't see evidence that Ernies aunty too him in.  Also her child/children baptised C of E. in Redfern


The only anomaly is the brother of HOPE WHITE who died in Qld was buried in the Catholic cemetery there.

Hard to sort out I know.

[haney]

This is the record with "MAHOM'T".   If that is supposed to be "Muslim" I doubt that he was (not a true believer anyway) as Muslim men do not drink Alchohol or have Tattoo's from my understanding.

So Samuel Francis is telling the Authorities a lot of fibs.

Again we don't know if he may have come to NSW as a Servant to a family.

He did make reference to a "country man from Hindostan" when he was accused of stealing a ring I think.  He said it was given to him by his Countryman.

[haney]

This is from 1889 the stealing from Dr Sly.

[Neale1961]

The only anomaly is the brother of HOPE WHITE who died in Qld was buried in the Catholic cemetery there.

John was buried in Anglican section.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/160465954/john-irwin-white

The White parents were married in Church of England and their burial was also C of E in Sydney.

[sparrett]

An expanded version of the item posted by Neale earlier.  Quite a nice and interesting read.

It has a picture of the Herbert Troupe. 1905.
 
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/164038516?searchTerm=%22herbert%20troupe%20circus%22~16

Sue

[haney]

Hi Neale1961.  Yes you are right!!  His enlistment say's C OF E as well.  I must have been thinking of something (some one else).  Hard to keep all this straight.

Hi Sue I will enjoy reading through this article.  Thanks

[sparrett]

I would like to note that I believe the name Phillip seen 3 times in Ernie's paperwork is significant in some way.

And would like to add of possible interest, (but posssibly not  )there were a small number of people in the Sydney are in the late 1890's and onwards with the surname PHILLIP. No "S" ending.

Sue