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:

Jonny's Bear Revue Leaflet, c1940 - 1969

Item

Reference code: 178Z22.8

Scope and Contents

Threefold leaflet with black type on off white background and black and white illustrations of the act inside.

Dates: c1940 - 1969

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Testo Family Collection / Various

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