Looking  for information about "Toots"?

My name is Robert Payne and I am 41 years old and  live just north of Orlando Florida.  My sister and I have been looking for information about our Great Grandma who ran away to join the Miller Brothers

sideshow (and or) circus back in the early-mid fifties.

I have included a wonderful picture that only my sister and I have a copy of (my Grandma gave the nice copy to my sister) and she is the one in the middle, the psychic/crystal ball reader.

First of all, could this picture have been a handout for the people coming to the show or maybe taken for a magazine (like Bandwagon?) or a one of a kind?

Are any of the other faces familiar?

Ok, Ok, now to the good stuff....my Great Grandma was quite "vain" according to my late grandma, and my aunt---(which won't even talk about her!).  She was known as "toots" had enormous boobs, and was very short at .5"2".

She lived in Chicago around that time and after running away to join the circus, the family only heard from her once or twice.  She was on my fathers side of the family, so her maiden name would not have been Payne.

When my sister and I were growing up no one ever talked about her. Finally just before my Grandma died, she gave my sister the photograph and wanted here to know that she looked just like her Great Grandmother 

My aunt gave my sister the only other copy of the picture I know about and she

gave it to me. I've had the photograph for a while and every time I look at it I become more and more interested in finding more information about her.

I have always loved the circus and especially the sideshow, with all of the colorful people putting on "The Big Show" it has always fascinating me. So I'm writing to see if you or any of your readers can tell me anything about this photograph and even better my Great Grandma...?      

Click on Great Grandma Payne      

I have  been directed by three websites to write you...any information would be truly appreciated

Thanks Robert Payne   

<<< Click on the image to the right to read the note that accompanied the photograph

 

Information added Feb 21 2006 I found out from my sister that my grandma met my great grandma at the Chicago Worlds Fair in 1933..not in the fifties which I was lead to believe by my aunt. So this makes it much different. this picture must be the one she got at the fair, If the Miller Brothers actually performed there. I have been going to many sites to find any information and haven't been successful. I am interested in finding any records that would show that the Miller Brothers Circus performed at the Chicago Worlds Fair? .

Robert, The photograph could have been taken for any and/or all these a handout for the people coming to the show or maybe taken for a magazine, or a one of a kind.  It could also have been taken as a seasonal photograph of the cast for the show.

Information added March 31 2007

Hey John I emailed you about a year ago about my great grandmother who ran away to join the Miller Brothers circus sideshow ----I really do appreciate your time and putting up that great picture on your website. I have really been moved by trying to find out more info about her and have learned a great deal about many many sideshow performers. I have found out that my great grandmas birth name was Virginia Laura Baum and she was born in 1912. She left the family in 1930 or 31.....I am just really surprised from looking at the other people in the picture and/or the banners from the background that I have found very very little to go by. Her sister was Rosella born 1908. That's all I have at this time. I have researched many hours and have found nothing.   So if this is any help to anyone to you or anyone you may know,,It would be great. Your website still is absolutely the best out there and I am checking it out  all the time. Well, thanks again John!

Robert Payne                                

I have posted the picture of your Great Grandmother along with the information you provided in hopes that one of our readers will  recognize your her and provide you with some history.

If anyone has information about Great Grandma Payne you can contact Robert by clicking here.