For some time I have been interested in my own family history. Even without interest or knowledge of the series Who do you think you are?, or without their vast resources.
A while back I created a rather basic family tree, listing great grandparents and one or two names attached as maybes.
A few months ago now I decided to give things a real go and see how far back I could go. Fill in all the gaps that had been bothering me.
To that end, I went the full go and actually paid for actual membership on the site Find my past uk. No sense in half arsing something this important. Not this time.
I found people, I found names and professions to people I only had had scraps of information up to now. Dates and everything. Births, marriages, deaths. That last part strikes a somber note but I was excited by all these details I was uncovering. I even went far back in my own generation game to people born in 1562.
Very thrilling.
But the other reason that I was undertaking this research, was to find the answer to the really big family mystery. We had all wondered about it for some time now.
As grandkids, we had grown up knowing that our grandfather's dad, wasn't really his dad. There had been someone else, a shadowy figure that had fathered him, and apparently, buggered off.
During my early research of a few months ago, I found the man that my great grandmother had been married to. His name was Fred, he was a fish salesman in Northampton and after marriage, he and his wife had three children. He had been in the great war, there was a record of him applying for leave, as there was financial hardship.
And then there was his death record, the year listed was 1928. A full three years before my grandfather was born.
Now, I had two stories to look at. The first was my grandfather's thought he was related to Thomas Lawrence ie "Sir Lawrence of Arabia." No sense in not checking.
As it happens - Sir Thomas Edward Lawrence was born to Sarah Lawrence and Thomas Chapman (the father's surname is part of my grandfather's full name - hence the lingering suspicion) but after their affair and later marriage, living in London, they all kept the mother's surname, not the father's. Myth - busted.
Thursday 20 April 2017
Tuesday 18 April 2017
Part Two: The second theory
Now, to the other story.
The old gag, was that we were from circus folk. It was what my grandfather had mentioned, that the mystery man worked at a circus.
Chapman. Circus. Since I had no full name to work with, a googling I went and searched for those two words.
My first real result was a paragraph on the curious fox site;
George Bruce Chapman Born Northampton,and buried there,owned circus,are there any decendents.
Which gave a few details and some more clues. Working with what I had so far, it confirmed a couple of things.
First off, my grandfather had had a memory of his father. It was when he was four and a man in a suit and hat - came to see him, had him on his lap and gave him a shilling (or thrupence) coin.
Considering that my grandfather was born in 1931, during the depression, the fact that this man was in a suit and hat and had a coin to give him says a lot about the man's finances. He had wealth to spare.
Another, was the man's name. George Bruce Chapman. But what I soon discovered on the find my past site was that Chapman, even when limited to Northampton and born around the same time period as my great grandmother, still gave me a lot of George Chapman's to look at.
What I needed, was a definite age to work with.
A very useful feature on the find my past uk site is the newspaper/periodicals search. Typing in George Bruce Chapman as a person and adding Circus in the keyword search space, turned up a lot of information and articles that helped paint the picture of the man I was trying to find.
The most useful set of articles (as far as discovering his age - and from there, when he was born) were centred on a breach of promise brought against Chapman in court, by a girl twenty years his junior. (Not my great grandmother, - she was only four years younger than Mr Chapman - but another woman entirely) In 1934, but the affair began in 1930.
The articles mentioned his age at the time, and from there, I was able to work out his year of birth and soon, his parents, and siblings.
But back to the breach of promise suit, the articles all mentioned something important. First off, Mr Chapman was already married and with a daughter the same age as the girl he had been involved with.
This would explain why he was not going to divorce for another woman entirely. One wonders about Mrs Chapman, what she thought of all this.
There were several articles published in various publications, but what really nailed it, was that there was an article pertaining to this court case, published in The Mail on the 16th of June (1934), a publication based in South Australia.
The old gag, was that we were from circus folk. It was what my grandfather had mentioned, that the mystery man worked at a circus.
Chapman. Circus. Since I had no full name to work with, a googling I went and searched for those two words.
My first real result was a paragraph on the curious fox site;
George Bruce Chapman Born Northampton,and buried there,owned circus,are there any decendents.
Which gave a few details and some more clues. Working with what I had so far, it confirmed a couple of things.
First off, my grandfather had had a memory of his father. It was when he was four and a man in a suit and hat - came to see him, had him on his lap and gave him a shilling (or thrupence) coin.
Considering that my grandfather was born in 1931, during the depression, the fact that this man was in a suit and hat and had a coin to give him says a lot about the man's finances. He had wealth to spare.
Another, was the man's name. George Bruce Chapman. But what I soon discovered on the find my past site was that Chapman, even when limited to Northampton and born around the same time period as my great grandmother, still gave me a lot of George Chapman's to look at.
What I needed, was a definite age to work with.
A very useful feature on the find my past uk site is the newspaper/periodicals search. Typing in George Bruce Chapman as a person and adding Circus in the keyword search space, turned up a lot of information and articles that helped paint the picture of the man I was trying to find.
The most useful set of articles (as far as discovering his age - and from there, when he was born) were centred on a breach of promise brought against Chapman in court, by a girl twenty years his junior. (Not my great grandmother, - she was only four years younger than Mr Chapman - but another woman entirely) In 1934, but the affair began in 1930.
The articles mentioned his age at the time, and from there, I was able to work out his year of birth and soon, his parents, and siblings.
But back to the breach of promise suit, the articles all mentioned something important. First off, Mr Chapman was already married and with a daughter the same age as the girl he had been involved with.
This would explain why he was not going to divorce for another woman entirely. One wonders about Mrs Chapman, what she thought of all this.
There were several articles published in various publications, but what really nailed it, was that there was an article pertaining to this court case, published in The Mail on the 16th of June (1934), a publication based in South Australia.
Monday 17 April 2017
Part Three: The real search begins...
From census records, I had parents and siblings. From articles I had found much praise of the great George Bruce Chapman and his circus and zoo.
This article, a good example, was published in the Derby Daily Telegraph on the 20th of October, 1928.
This article, a good example, was published in the Derby Daily Telegraph on the 20th of October, 1928.
And then I found another article, that was written up after his passing.
Published in the same newspaper as before, on the 18th of March, in 1935.
And then, to aid in the search of descendants: this article was published on the 30th of March, 1935, in the publication The Stage.
All of these articles were valuable pieces of information that have aided me in my search thus far and I found myself thankful that I had used the searches in the find my past website and they had included such a wide range of newspapers. Another article that I found, told of his daughter and sister teary eyed when G.B. Chapman Ltd went under the hammer, auctioned off on the eve of what would be called the second world war.
Sunday 16 April 2017
Part Four: The Descendants
Back to my Find my past uk, this time, to find descendants. Hopefully of ones still living.
Thanks to the article detailing how his personalty would be divided, I had some names and a way of narrowing down the results I found.
I soon discovered that his sister Ada Chapman did not marry, but his other sister, Alice, did marry, Percy Clarke.
Clarke is just a common name as Chapman, but the search proved easy once more when I found that Alice's daughter, married a man with the surname Engler.
I was overjoyed. So very useful when the people I searched and typed in with increasing determination had an unusual and uncommon name.
From there I was able to find living descendants. On that part of the search, I pressed pause. I wanted actual proof.
What I really wanted to find, was a photo of the man I sought. I felt sure that if I did, there might be a few features similar or even perhaps, exactly like my grandfather or mother. A visual clue that this search wasn't in vain and that I wasn't barking up the wrong tree.
Thanks to the article detailing how his personalty would be divided, I had some names and a way of narrowing down the results I found.
I soon discovered that his sister Ada Chapman did not marry, but his other sister, Alice, did marry, Percy Clarke.
Clarke is just a common name as Chapman, but the search proved easy once more when I found that Alice's daughter, married a man with the surname Engler.
I was overjoyed. So very useful when the people I searched and typed in with increasing determination had an unusual and uncommon name.
From there I was able to find living descendants. On that part of the search, I pressed pause. I wanted actual proof.
What I really wanted to find, was a photo of the man I sought. I felt sure that if I did, there might be a few features similar or even perhaps, exactly like my grandfather or mother. A visual clue that this search wasn't in vain and that I wasn't barking up the wrong tree.
Saturday 15 April 2017
Part Five: Family ties
By now I had felt I had exhausted what Find my past uk's resources at this point. If I was going to really find out all I could, I had to look elsewhere.
The first port of call, was Kingsthorpe Cemetery. At the time I was still looking at descendants, and I thought that the headstone might have his wife listed.
After looking up the site, I was able to email them and ask about it. They sent through a very polite email and attached photos of the headstone, which was very kind.
I was very much intrigued, the headstone listed at the top, Mr Chapman's parents and below, Chapman himself.
Not his wife.
I recently discovered that Mr George B Chapman married Rose Helena in 1912. They lived together in Birmingham. Their daughter, Georgia Mary was born in 1913.
The first port of call, was Kingsthorpe Cemetery. At the time I was still looking at descendants, and I thought that the headstone might have his wife listed.
After looking up the site, I was able to email them and ask about it. They sent through a very polite email and attached photos of the headstone, which was very kind.
I was very much intrigued, the headstone listed at the top, Mr Chapman's parents and below, Chapman himself.
Not his wife.
I recently discovered that Mr George B Chapman married Rose Helena in 1912. They lived together in Birmingham. Their daughter, Georgia Mary was born in 1913.
Friday 14 April 2017
Part Six: Online Enquiries
So, like I said before, Find my past had been exhausted. After the Kingsthorpe Cemetery had been so helpful, I emailed the Zoological Society of London.
In the articles I had found, Mr Chapman had been made a fellow of the society, and I wanted to see if there was more there.
A photograph, perhaps.
Unfortunately not, the Society only confirmed that Mr Chapman had been made a fellow and in 1923.
No matter, onto the next.
Northamptonshire Archives, which I found via the Northampton Central Library site. They were unable to help further.
At this time, I was still trying various google searches of George Chapman and Chapman circus. During one of these searches I found a site that mentioned him, this site was focused on elephants that were traded back and forth during the period.
And Chapman's name appeared.
"Her claim that Rajah was at London Zoo is another point of contention. Rajah was never at London Zoo. He was the property of London based animal dealer George Bruce Chapman who owned Chapman's London Zoo Circus."
What was also mentioned later on, was the Belfast Zoo, which Mr Chapman was apparently a co founder of.
I then checked the Belfast Zoo site and on their history page, this venture was confirmed. I emailed Belfast Library.
In the articles I had found, Mr Chapman had been made a fellow of the society, and I wanted to see if there was more there.
A photograph, perhaps.
Unfortunately not, the Society only confirmed that Mr Chapman had been made a fellow and in 1923.
No matter, onto the next.
Northamptonshire Archives, which I found via the Northampton Central Library site. They were unable to help further.
At this time, I was still trying various google searches of George Chapman and Chapman circus. During one of these searches I found a site that mentioned him, this site was focused on elephants that were traded back and forth during the period.
And Chapman's name appeared.
"Her claim that Rajah was at London Zoo is another point of contention. Rajah was never at London Zoo. He was the property of London based animal dealer George Bruce Chapman who owned Chapman's London Zoo Circus."
What was also mentioned later on, was the Belfast Zoo, which Mr Chapman was apparently a co founder of.
I then checked the Belfast Zoo site and on their history page, this venture was confirmed. I emailed Belfast Library.
"Building Belfast Zoo
In 1933, the corporation decided to install a
zoological collection on the site.
Then, in 1934, 12 acres on either side of the
grand floral staircase (a series of steps designed to reach the top of the
hillside) were laid out as the zoo site.
It took 150 men to build the site and the steps
can still be seen from Antrim Road today.
The zoo was opened on 28 March 1934 by Sir
Crawford McCullough, Lord Mayor of Belfast.
The venture was supported by Councillor RJR
Harcourt from Belfast Corporation and was partnered by George Chapman, an
animal dealer and circus entrepreneur.
It cost £10,000 to build and a total of 284,713
people visited the zoo in its first year."
The library sent through a few articles that name checked Chapman and his involvement (and investment) and a catalogue record of the zoo. They also recommended that since Mr Chapman was based in London that I look for information at the National Archives and the British Library. They also recommended the London Zoological Society. (Which I had already emailed.)
I emailed both organisations. British Library recommended the National Archives. National Archives recommended the University of Sheffield, which has the National Fairground and Circus Archive (yes, such a thing exists) including the Malcolm Airey Collection.
I have since sent an email to the people who work there and hope to hear from them soon.
In this flurry of emailing and googling, I also found a book, "The social history of the circus" published a few years ago. I emailed the author, and received a very encouraging and kind email in return. He told me what he knew, which by now has tallied with I have found out thus far.
Thursday 13 April 2017
Part Seven: The letter
After going through the organisations, archives, libraries, records offices and the like - "official sources" and finding tiny snippets, it seemed that that I would now have to return to the "unofficial":
The descendants.
I already had their names and where they were born, but to actually make contact, meant I would need to find an address.
I thought that I would concentrate on an actual blood relative, specifically, of Chapman's sister's family.
As I mentioned before, Miss Chapman became Mrs Clarke, her daughter married Mr Engler. Interestingly, Mr Engler worked as an animal trainer and with Chapman Circus itself.
And I found descendants of this family.
Finding an address in the UK is made difficult, there are many websites that offer searches for people, some need paying for, others your searches are limited. Or both.
Nevertheless, I found a (free) website and I searched for a family member, that might be in a position to know.
Lo and behold, I found his address. I stared at it before writing it down, I took a few deep breaths. It was there, on the screen.
Finding the names themselves had been one thing, finding a proper (google maps worthy) address was another thing altogether.
I typed up a letter, I wasn't going to ask for much at all, tempting as it was, but I wanted to be cautious. I do not want to burn bridges in this search, being courteous and kind has been the best foot forward thus far.
I had looked up so much information, but as ever, in the back of the mind was the thought that this Mr Chapman may not even be my relative at all. That all these searches, emails might be pointless and not even in the right direction at all.
Yesterday I posted the letter. I hesitated on the actual posting, I held the letter half into the slot and wondered. And hoped, before pushing it in.
Later I thought, that this may go so many different ways. This letter may be ignored, they might claim ignorance, they might do both. If they do reply, it may be to say no, he was living with someone else that wasn't my great grandmother or, they may say yes.
I hope for the latter, but even if Mr Chapman is not my relative, I have enjoyed this hunt. An online hunt as it has been so far, but still. At least after a reply, then I can safely rule him out as a possibility. And try again.
There will be a part eight. That I know. I just don't know what it will be about.
The descendants.
I already had their names and where they were born, but to actually make contact, meant I would need to find an address.
I thought that I would concentrate on an actual blood relative, specifically, of Chapman's sister's family.
As I mentioned before, Miss Chapman became Mrs Clarke, her daughter married Mr Engler. Interestingly, Mr Engler worked as an animal trainer and with Chapman Circus itself.
And I found descendants of this family.
Finding an address in the UK is made difficult, there are many websites that offer searches for people, some need paying for, others your searches are limited. Or both.
Nevertheless, I found a (free) website and I searched for a family member, that might be in a position to know.
Lo and behold, I found his address. I stared at it before writing it down, I took a few deep breaths. It was there, on the screen.
Finding the names themselves had been one thing, finding a proper (google maps worthy) address was another thing altogether.
I typed up a letter, I wasn't going to ask for much at all, tempting as it was, but I wanted to be cautious. I do not want to burn bridges in this search, being courteous and kind has been the best foot forward thus far.
I had looked up so much information, but as ever, in the back of the mind was the thought that this Mr Chapman may not even be my relative at all. That all these searches, emails might be pointless and not even in the right direction at all.
Yesterday I posted the letter. I hesitated on the actual posting, I held the letter half into the slot and wondered. And hoped, before pushing it in.
Later I thought, that this may go so many different ways. This letter may be ignored, they might claim ignorance, they might do both. If they do reply, it may be to say no, he was living with someone else that wasn't my great grandmother or, they may say yes.
I hope for the latter, but even if Mr Chapman is not my relative, I have enjoyed this hunt. An online hunt as it has been so far, but still. At least after a reply, then I can safely rule him out as a possibility. And try again.
There will be a part eight. That I know. I just don't know what it will be about.
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