Researching Actors and Actresses

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Comment by Myss Story on August 13, 2009 at 2:36pm

Sorry, "automatic updates" shut down my puter. According to a letter in NARA archives, and corroborated by a Lodge descendant, Camille's father left his prestigious medical practice in Peckham to join the British Mercantile Marine Service in 1855. He had two brothers closely connected with the BMM so it probably was set up for him. Camille had 2 brothers said to have been born in Brooklyn NY in 1857 and 1858. Dr. Charles Lodge served first under Burnside in Virginia in the "Mud March" which is where it was said he lost his personal papers. Contemp. engravings show it was indeed a terrible mire, lots of stuff tossed from the waggons. He was later sent to New Orleans to work as a contract surgeon. This is how Camille came to be in NO for her first role at the Old Varieties Theatre.

Comment by Kate Steere on August 13, 2009 at 2:18pm

Could the Lodges have arrived in the US in 1860-61 but after the census was taken?

Comment by Kate Steere on August 13, 2009 at 2:00pm

Here is the death notice from September 24, 1902 from the Philadelphia Inquirer:

BAKER- On September 24, 1902, Geraldine LODGE, wife of Richard F. Baker, of Detroit, Michigan, aged 43 years. The relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the funeral services on Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at 1517 Chestnut St. Interment private.

Comment by Myss Story on August 13, 2009 at 1:52pm

I have the UK censuses for Camille from 1871 to 1901. I don't have the 1860 US census for her family, but I know they were in Albany New York in 1862 when her father enlisted in U.S.Army. I don't believe she was born in 1860, rather, in 1855. Her father was a physician/surgeon. I believe he delivered all their children, but the birth records were lost during the U.S. Civil War, according to a letter. There was a scandal...both her parents were married to others. No divorce available. The pair left for America and raised their 4 children together, leaving behind their original families. So to answer the next question, Florence Emily Beard (Flo Dillon) was a granddaughter of Camille's mother through her first husband! I've actually got a good timeline for Flo. It's the Bakers that stymie me so far.

Comment by Myss Story on August 13, 2009 at 1:35pm

Hi,
yes, I believe in another post you found an article about Bakers in Michigan. I havent checked that out yet. Mostly because I recall finding a different article about Geraldine Baker, who was a "socialite" who lived past 1902. But I will check.

Comment by Kate Steere on August 13, 2009 at 5:09am

Good morning-

I found Camille on the 1881 England Census, and it indicates she was widowed? Just curious if you had found another marriage? If you'd like me to post the census, I'll add a discussion and attach it?

Comment by Kate Steere on August 13, 2009 at 4:21am

Hi-
What info do you have on Flo? Was she from the UK? I'm guessing she was Geraldine's cousin on her mother's side?

Comment by Kate Steere on August 12, 2009 at 11:47am

Hi there. :)
I remember trying to figure out anything on Richard Baker- I saw a reference on Geraldine's death record that Richard was 'of' Detroit, MI. Have you tried the Michigan angle?

Comment by Myss Story on August 12, 2009 at 11:40am

Hi! I've found a couple of actors in my family that I am researching. Geraldine Baker nee Lodge, known as Camille D'Elmar, and her cousin, Florence Emily Cosgrove nee Belcher known as Flo Dillon. I doubt they knew each other, but they were somewhat contemporaries. Camille performed in England and U.S. Flo performed in New Zealand and Australia. Flo's husband was John Cosgrove, who is said to be a "founding father" of Australian cinema, so I can find stuff about him. However, I can only find a few references to Richard Baker, Camille's husband. His name is the same as a famous 18th cent actor, and I have no idea if they are related, since I'm not sure Richard Baker is the correct name. Incidentally, there was a Mabel D'Elmar and an American Flo Dillon to add to the confusion!

Comment by Kate Steere on July 25, 2009 at 7:09am

I have been working on my FIL's great grandfather William A Lavelle, a stage manager, actor and Wild West Actor for the last 3+ years. I have found many articles about him, his death record, place of burial, marriage certificate for his second marriage, and I located him in 1910 and 1920, but I haven't found him in the 1850-1900 census records. I don't know who his parents are, other than his claim that the were James and Hannah Sweeney Lavelle from PA. I can't prove it. So, I keep looking for new articles, hoping to find little bits and pieces as I go.

In this group, feel free to post in the discussion area if you need ideas a\in searching for your missing acting folks!

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