Livingstone with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.....

Looking for Scottish Ancestors

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Dubbleu
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Location: Massachusetts, USA

Livingstone with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.....

Post by Dubbleu » Mon Mar 28, 2005 3:09 am

I've been searching for my Glasgow/Pollokshaws LIVINGSTONE ancestors and have yet to definitively identify the parents of John (b. about 1833 Pollokshaws, d. 1917 CT, US). The family left Glasgow in 1873 and settled in Connecticut. I've just found that one son HARRY LIVINGSTONE was a musician who traveled with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show in Europe, definitely in 1891 and possibly before or beyond. I have no other information about him, but have also found that Buffalo Bill's Show traveled to Scotland as part of the 1891-92 tour (November '91 - February '92). I know it's a long shot, but I'm hoping there might be something here that could give additional clues - records of the performers, resources, - maybe a newspaper story about a Scottish musician with the show. Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks
Wendy
Livingstone, Spencer, Reid, Frazer, Warnock, McMoultry - Pollokshaws, Eastwood, Renfrew, Glasgow & US

DavidWW
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Joined: Sat Dec 11, 2004 9:47 pm

Re: Livingstone with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show

Post by DavidWW » Mon Mar 28, 2005 9:40 am

Dubbleu wrote:I've been searching for my Glasgow/Pollokshaws LIVINGSTONE ancestors and have yet to definitively identify the parents of John (b. about 1833 Pollokshaws, d. 1917 CT, US). The family left Glasgow in 1873 and settled in Connecticut. I've just found that one son HARRY LIVINGSTONE was a musician who traveled with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show in Europe, definitely in 1891 and possibly before or beyond. I have no other information about him, but have also found that Buffalo Bill's Show traveled to Scotland as part of the 1891-92 tour (November '91 - February '92). I know it's a long shot, but I'm hoping there might be something here that could give additional clues - records of the performers, resources, - maybe a newspaper story about a Scottish musician with the show. Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks
Wendy
Wendy

Near certain that the Scottish newspapers of the time would make some mention of a Scot, and particularly so a Glaswegian when they performed in Glasgow!

As a first point of contact I'd suggest the Mitchell Library, - see http://www.talkingscot.com/links/libraries.htm on this site for Glasgow and The Mitchell.

Davie

Dubbleu
Posts: 19
Joined: Tue Jan 04, 2005 1:48 am
Location: Massachusetts, USA

Post by Dubbleu » Tue Mar 29, 2005 2:00 am

OK - sounds like a good start, especially since in the short time since my posting I've discovered that his brother David LIVINGSTONE was also a musician with the show when it was in Glasgow. Two brothers, Glaswegians, traveling with the show surely should have been a headline!

Thanks,
Wendy
Livingstone, Spencer, Reid, Frazer, Warnock, McMoultry - Pollokshaws, Eastwood, Renfrew, Glasgow & US

HeatherH
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Post by HeatherH » Mon May 02, 2005 12:50 pm

Hello Dubbleu,
I know this is a bit late but I just came across it last night.There is a small article in the March 2005 issue of Practical Family History regarding the Buffalo Bill tour.It is suggested that for further info you contact the Local Studies and History Department on Floor 6 of Birmigham Central Library.They have a collection including photographs,posters,handbills etc which may list the names of the performers.
Also The Circus Friends Association of Great britain has a library which may be of help.


www.shef.ac.uk/nfa/

I hope this can be of some help,
HeatherK
jj
Looking for ...but not limited to Haldane ,Keir ,McLauchlan ,Walker ,Torrance , Reid ,Clark ,Johnstone ,Holmes ,Laurie ,Lawrie ,Strachan , McIlwee ,Welsh ,Queate ,Stewert ,McNight ,Steele ,Cockburn ,Young ....whew! That's more than enough for now.

DavidWW
Posts: 5057
Joined: Sat Dec 11, 2004 9:47 pm

Post by DavidWW » Mon May 02, 2005 1:21 pm

HeatherK wrote:Hello Dubbleu,
I know this is a bit late but I just came across it last night.There is a small article in the March 2005 issue of Practical Family History regarding the Buffalo Bill tour.It is suggested that for further info you contact the Local Studies and History Department on Floor 6 of Birmigham Central Library.They have a collection including photographs,posters,handbills etc which may list the names of the performers.
Also The Circus Friends Association of Great britain has a library which may be of help.


www.shef.ac.uk/nfa/

I hope this can be of some help,
HeatherK
A brilliant contribution !! \:D/ =D> , typical, the TalkingScot Admin Group would like to think of the assistance that would be given to all posters :!:

Davie

Dubbleu
Posts: 19
Joined: Tue Jan 04, 2005 1:48 am
Location: Massachusetts, USA

Buffalo Bill & Livingstone's

Post by Dubbleu » Tue May 03, 2005 2:13 am

Heather
Thank you so much! It's never too late - these guys are just waiting to be uncovered and find their rightful place in my family history.

I've also discovered http://www.tnais.com/bbis/ and been in touch with Tom Cunningham who's done quite a bit of research on the show's tour of Scotland.

I've got to agree with Davie - this board is the best. There is so much expertise and sharing of wonderful resources here.

Thanks again
Dubbleu
Livingstone, Spencer, Reid, Frazer, Warnock, McMoultry - Pollokshaws, Eastwood, Renfrew, Glasgow & US

scooter
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Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2005 8:22 pm
Location: Kent, England

Post by scooter » Tue May 03, 2005 9:32 am

Just had a look at The Scotsman online archive (http://archive.scotsman.com) and searched for "buffalo bill" between 1891 and 1892 and there were 36 hits. I don't know the nature of the content, you have to dig into your pockets for that, however there might be some useful background info.

Best,

Scott
Researching Wishart (Glasgow & Kirkcaldy), McDonald (Donegal & Falkirk), Thomson (Star, Fife) & Harley (Monimail, Moonzie & Cupar)

Dubbleu
Posts: 19
Joined: Tue Jan 04, 2005 1:48 am
Location: Massachusetts, USA

Post by Dubbleu » Thu May 05, 2005 1:12 am

Thank you so much Scott!

I will look into that as well. I'm so glad to have all these resources to follow up with.

Sincerely,
Dubbleu :D
Livingstone, Spencer, Reid, Frazer, Warnock, McMoultry - Pollokshaws, Eastwood, Renfrew, Glasgow & US