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Nellie Neill: Aeronaut and Parachutist
- Thread starter Pauline1
- Start date
Thank you. I have found quite a few articles about her. She seems to have been parachuting about 1902-1907, mainly in the Pontypool area, but she claims to have been from Birmingham. What I can't find out is her date of birth and death. If there are any good sleuths out there it would be appreciated! (In one article it says she from Canada, but I don't know if that's correct!)
Thank you. As she was parachuting until about 1907, I'm guessing that she is likely to have been born about 1880. But that's just a guess.
That may be because she married and so died under her married surname. But I can't find a marriage either!
thats what i thought pauline...would imagine she was not very old although not the same surname spelling and looking on ancestry there are few nellie neals b birm in the 1880s..quite a mystery
lyn
If she *was* born in Canada, that might explain why we can't find her birth.
not looked at this yet but maybe worth a look at
www.sheffield.ac.uk
National Fairground and Circus Archive
The National Fairground and Circus Archive (NFCA) embodies the history of popular entertainment from the seventeenth century onwards. It covers every aspect of travelling entertainment culture and contextualises its evolution, cross-cultural impact, and global spread and influence.
worth a try...i can see nothing on the 1921 census that would be our nellie..also searched the 1901 and 1911 census with nothing definite.trouble is if she moved around she could have been anywhereThank you! I'll take a look tomorrow
lyn
lyn
i had a quick look jan..nothing jumped out at me
Thank you for suggesting this. I've had a look, but no success I'm afraid. She's an illusive lady!not looked at this yet but maybe worth a look at
National Fairground and Circus Archive
The National Fairground and Circus Archive (NFCA) embodies the history of popular entertainment from the seventeenth century onwards. It covers every aspect of travelling entertainment culture and contextualises its evolution, cross-cultural impact, and global spread and influence.
Some Success! *Her surname spelled incorrectly.*
NEALL, Nellie (F) BRITAIN (1880?1940) (SM)
p: Professional balloonist; Protégé of FLEET.
f: First recorded ascent 1 Jun.1903. ***Epic flight 6 Jun.1906 From Pontypool. Made a rapid ascent with a torn balloon. Her leg was caught in a rope, holding her upside-down. She succeeded in climbing the rope, releasing the parachute, and landed safely.
r: Cardiff Mail 2 Jun.1903; Tribune 7 Jun. 1906.
FROM:
NEALL, Nellie (F) BRITAIN (1880?1940) (SM)
p: Professional balloonist; Protégé of FLEET.
f: First recorded ascent 1 Jun.1903. ***Epic flight 6 Jun.1906 From Pontypool. Made a rapid ascent with a torn balloon. Her leg was caught in a rope, holding her upside-down. She succeeded in climbing the rope, releasing the parachute, and landed safely.
r: Cardiff Mail 2 Jun.1903; Tribune 7 Jun. 1906.
FROM:
UPDATE and one more QUESTION at the end:
I think I have found Nellie Neill. She is Ella Neill:
BIRTH 24 MAR 1879 • Singhampton, Osprey, Grey, Ontario, Canada
DEATH 29 OCT 1945 • Collingwood Hospital, Simcoe, Ontario, Canada
Her parents were Thomas Neill and Elizabeth Neill (nee Taylor).
Nellie is on the 1881, 1891, 1901, 1911 and 1921 Canadian Censuses.
She ballooned from 1902-1907 in England and Wales, so that’s how she was able to be on the Canadian Censuses.
As well as appearing in lots of articles on the British Newspaper Archives, I have found one article in the Canadian Hamilton Spectator dated 1907 which describes Nellie’s exploits in Plontypool, Wales.
QUESTION: I have been unable to trace Nellie’s journey from Canada pre-1902 (but after 1901 Canadian Census) and her return journey to Canada after 1907 (but before 1911 Canadian Census). If anyone can help it would be appreciated. Thank you.
MWS
from Bham
Do any of the newspaper articles say she was from Canada? I thought they suggested she was from Bham.
The other thing that strikes me is that she is described as Madame Neill not Miss Neill which to me suggests that she was a married woman, though I maybe reading too much into that.
The other thing that strikes me is that she is described as Madame Neill not Miss Neill which to me suggests that she was a married woman, though I maybe reading too much into that.
An interview with Nellie Neill in the Birmingham Owl dated 1907 says that she was born in Canada. (See below) However, whilst she was in the UK she mainly ballooned in the Birmingham and Pontypool, Wales area.
Female aeronauts often called themselves Madame as a "stage name". It did not necessarily mean they were married. The Ella / Nellie Neil I found died, back in Canada, unmarried.
Female aeronauts often called themselves Madame as a "stage name". It did not necessarily mean they were married. The Ella / Nellie Neil I found died, back in Canada, unmarried.
