“About thirty years ago I found conjuring becoming rather stale, and it struck me that Pepper’s Ghost illusion would do well under canvas. Up to then it had only been shown at the Polytechnic in London. When it came to Manchester I went to the hall, got a front seat, and saw how the thing was worked – the people lying down, the mirrors, the lights, and all the rest of it. After that I brought it out myself, and it went extremely well" (Chums)

"The programmes in all were in the same order, varying only in length according to the state of business - a short play, a comic interlude, and a transformation scene.  A favourite piece was Little Jim or the Collier's Dying Child. Across the stage was a long sheet of plain glass which gave the ghostly illusion when the scene was darkened, and under the stage, along which the figures to be projected on the glass lay at full length, was lighted up.  Thus in this pathetic drama, while solemn music was played on the harmonium, white robed angels could be seen bearing the body of Little Jim heavenwards."  ('Goose Fair Memories: Intimate Pictures of Old Market Place Scenes,' the Swann Scrapbook, Notthingham Library).

"Birmingham -- If any Person Wants Ground for Birmingham Fair for Shows, Steam Horses, Veloculpedes, Bazaars, Shooting Galleries, apply to Randall Williams, Post-office, Leeds (The Era, 5 Sept 1875)

“On Wednesday morning a shocking accident took place at Bately by which a travelling showman named George King, 35 years of age, lost his life. The deceased was the foreman of Mr. Randall Williams, proprietor of a ghost and hobgoblin show, which was coming to Bately Feast. King and some others were bringing a large caravan, weighing over four tons out of the Great Northern Goods Yard in Soothill Lane, when it overpowered the men and ran down a steep road. The deceased, being in the shafts, was knocked down and run over, and the caravan dashed forward until it was stopped by coming into contact with a warehouse at the bottom of Station Road. The unfortunate man was picked up and carried into Dr. Stockwell’s Surgery, but life was extinct, the spine having been fractured. ('Fatal Accident to a Showman,' Manchester Times, Sept 16, 1882)

"Next to Barnum, the most successful showman will be on the job in the shape of our jolly old friend, Randall Williams.  He has a  magnificent ghost exhibition this year, and at each performance can seat no less than a thousand persons.  His show front is dazzingly beautiful, and  looks as though the mint had been exhausted to supply the gold with which it is decorated.  Inside, he has all new scenery and effects, and he has brought his own traction engine for the purpose of lighting up by electricity. His performers are actors and actresses from London and provincial theatres, and we can safely promise all those who patronise the great Randall of the Williams' ilk, a startling treat." (Critic, Oct 11, 1890).

“That this general  meeting of the members of the Van Dwellers Protection Association hereby protest against the excessive increase which has recently been made in the railway rates chargeable for the carriage of their goods, and authorizes the appointment of a sub-committee to take all necessary action in the matter, with a view to adequate reductions being obtained from the railway companies, and that a sub-committee be appointed with authority to act in the matter as found desirable, and to obtain an audience with the officials of the various railway companies and the President of the Board of Trade, the said committee to consist of the president, the hon. Secretary, Mr. Harry Thurston, and Mr. Randall Williams” (Birmingham Daily Post, Jan 26, 1893)

“THE MOVABLE DWELLINGS BILL: On Sunday afternoon last, the van-dwellers and other travellers who had assembled at the Rotherham Statute Fair held a meeting in Mr. Randall Williams Ghost Show. The large booth was filled to overflowing. Mr. B.T. Burnett, ex-president of the Association presided. He was supported by the Rev. T. Horne, chaplain of the Showmen’s Guild and Messrs. J. Dean, Randall Williams, Robert Williams, William Sedgwick, John Whiting, P. Collins, H. Hughes, J. Burton, Inshaw, Livesey, Murphy, Newsome and Hancock." (Era, Nov 11, 1893)

“A thoroughbred bloodhound was bought by Mr. Randall Williams, the well-known ghost show proprietor, for 40gs, and will be trained to perform in Uncle Tom’s Cabin ('Sale of Wombwell’s Menagerie,' Era, Feb 22, 1896):

“WANTED, Known, that the Brothers Le Favette are now Open for Engagements on High Wire Rope. All Blondin’s Feats Eclipsed. Fifty New Tricks. Absolutely the Champions of the World. For full Particulars, apply Randall Williams, Royal Agricultural Hall, London (Era, January 1897)

 “Randall Williams’ "Electroscope and Mammoth Phantoscopical Exhibition". The Sensation of the  19th Century. From the Royal Agricultural Hall, London. The whole of this Magnificent Exhibition is worked by Electricity. Generated on the premises by one Magnificent Engine. The Greatest Scientific invention of the age, The CINEMATOGRAPHE or Animated Photographs in which is represented The Queens' Diamond Jubilee. So that those people who did not go to London have an opportunity of seeing the Diamond Jubilee Procession as well as they who did and paid  £5 for a seat. This Exhibition is one of the most Wonderful Sights and should certainly not be missed " (Poster in  Old Nottingham Goose Fair)

The late Carrie Monte Tindale of Abbotsford, B.C. (daughter of Carrie and Dick Monte). My mom was extremely proud of her family's fairground roots. These pages are for her and for all the other Monte and Williams descendents who want to know more about their showmen ancestors.

My cousin, the late Dick Monte of Huddersfield. Dick spent countless hours digging through the records and piecing together the family history. These pages wouldn't exist if it hadn't been for Dick.

Randall Williams of Chellaston (grandson of Annie and Randall Williams) - my mom's cousin and still (and forever) my best find. Thank you for all your help with the research and for passing on the stories told to you by your Grandma Annie.

The late Peter Williams (grandson of Annie and Randall Williams) and his daugther Karen who began the original research in the early 1980s. Karen wrote some of the first articles on Randall.

Helen Walmsley (of the Williams/Cornwell line) who provided lots of vital details and photos.  

My cousin Ann Cadman of Poole (daughter of John Monte).

My cousin James Monte of Washington, Tyne & Wear (son of James Monte).

Wendy Monte - who researched a lot of the articles published about the family and who acted as a go between me and my Uncle Bob

James Towers Williams (son of Fanny Towers and Rufus Williams)