Gess family
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Wilson Family History

This Site is still under construction & will contain more pages from fairground & Circus family relations as time permits.

 

The Gess Family

All Images Copywright of James Wilson

My line of the Gess or Guest Family date back to 1781. They are a long line of traders starting as Hawkers & dealers then moving on to the earliest travelling “Showmen”. The family is connected with other fairground family names  such as , Penfold, Hughes, Hampton, Stewart, Gray or McGrath. The family travelled all of the British Isles quite a feat in the 1800’s, with bases in Devon , Scotland, & London (Wardley St, Battersea, also home to Botton’s ect). My Grandfather “John Gess” was born on a fairground in Blantyre, Scotland ,” his father Henry Gess was open with a Menagerie, see pic with bear” he also operated a Boxing Booth in conjunction with the menagerie. It seemed if they were open in a rough mining area they would open the Boxing Show. John Gess married Ethel Oliver & they had a daughter Patience or Pashy “pic with wagon”. Sadly John was killed in an accident during ww11 & Ethel remarried his older brother Henry “Harry” Gess he was a kind smart man & told me stories as a child of the shows the family operated such as the “Wild Man of Borneo” a dimly lit show with jungle drums beating slowly & g grandfather henry telling the tale of their trek into deepest Borneo in search of the legendary “Wild Man” where once they had a full house the wild man would suddenly break through the cage bars & into the audience, causing them to flee for there lives from the show  in order to fill the show again with a fresh crowd. Also on the list where stories of the boxing show. G Grandfather Henry was said to disappear for days at one time for fear of a man being dead in the ring .Although I was told most of the time they could stop the opponents at any time with a few sweet jabs to the right spot & end the fight.

I will try & place a family tree in the fuiture.

If you are a family member & have info or pics please contact me & I will try to place on this site.
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Henry Gess with Menagerie Bear

(image Copywright James Wilson )
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Henry Gess .Hull Fair Boxing Booth 1902(any man 2 rounds for £5)
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John & Ethel Gess (Patience daughter on step)

(Image Copywright James Wilson)
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The Gess Family:bottom: Harry,Joe,John(large Wheel)

(Image Copywright James Wilson)

John Gess: Inverlockie Castle?

“my Grandfather”
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Henry Gess
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Rebbeca Gess, Charlotte Oliver(nee Gess),James Oliver,Patience Neil(nee Gess)
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Pashy Gess
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Harry Gess
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Maud, Patience,Patience(grandmother)
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Patience Gess “My Mother”

Top:Sarah Nee Strand/ Billy Gess/Frank Gess/Frank Gess Jnr

Bottom: Alice & Annie Gess
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Black Lion Trainer with G Granfather Henry Gess’s Menagerie

(Image Copywright James Wilson)
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Left: Jimmy Oliver/ Lion Trainers Wife Holding Patience Wilson nee Gess/ Lion Trainers Son.

(Image Copywright James Wilson)
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H Gess Gallopers (Image Copywright James Wilson)
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H Gess Switchback Open with Harry Gray Brother in Law

(Image Copywright James Wilson)
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Joe Gess & Harry Gess (Image Copywright James Wilson)
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H Gess & Sons Operating a haulage business “Ayleston Park, Leicester”
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