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Testo Family, Established c1700

 Family

Dates

  • Existence: Established c1700

Biography

The Testo family first came to England from France in the late 1700s in the form of 20 year old conjurer Felix Testot (senior). According to his descendants Felix Testot was quite a well-known performer in France. However, the fall of the aristocracy following the French revolution in 1789 created a decline on the demand for his services and Felix decided to cross the Channel into England.

Found in 5 Collections and/or Records:

Contract, 12 December 1932

 Item
Reference code: 178H9.1
Scope and Contents

Top section of contract between Bertram W. Mills Circus and Miss Testo, Snake Charmer, to furnish and exhibit three snakes. Black type on light green paper, 2p.p.

Dates: 12 December 1932
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Testo Family Collection / Business Records

Monographs and Research Material, c1851 - 1999

 Series
Reference code: 178B16
Scope and Contents

Various items of family history and an excerpt from a book on fortune telling.

Dates: c1851 - 1999
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Testo Family Collection

Photographs, c1900 - 1968

 Series
Reference code: 178C79
Scope and Contents Black and white photographs, postcards and negatives of the Testo family, performers, side shows, animals, fairgrounds and circuses including Angela Rabbets ‘Jungle Girl’ female snake act, Sonya Alan ‘Lady of Lions’, men and women in WWI and WWII uniforms, Golga Testo snake act with Bertram Mills Circus, Pauline Testo, Alf Testo, Nora and Billy Kayes, Jack Lemm and his Troupe at Testo’s show, members of the Chipperfield family, members of the Dobson family, members of the Pinder family...
Dates: c1900 - 1968
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Testo Family Collection

Testo Family Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0032
Scope and Contents

This collection comprises photographs, business records, articles, correspondence, newspaper cuttings, advertising material, family research and items of personal archive related to the Testo family history in the fairground and circus

Dates: 1898 - 1999
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive

Testo Family History Monographs, c1960 - 1989

 File
Reference code: 178B16.2
Scope and Contents

The story of Felix Testot, Magician, and founder of the Testo family in England (with a brief history of his descendants up to 1993). A portion of the Testo Family History. Alfred Testo’s Career by ‘Golga’ Jeffreys (his daughter). The Chipperfields’ Story: being a summary of items in the history of the Chipperfield family from 1803 and the connections with the Testo family (Harriet Sophia Jeffreys and Vic Jeffreys). Typescript.

Dates: c1960 - 1989
Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Testo Family Collection / Monographs and Research Material

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