Nelson & His World

Re the above architectural photographer to Queen Victoria, does anyone out there have any links with his family tree to a Horatio Nelson b1816 Liverpool, also an artist and Lord Horatio Nelson.

I am tracing my husband's family tree especially his great grandmother, Horatia Bellini Nelson, b1845 Dublin/d1935 London, the oldest working amateur actress in the 1920's, who supposedly was a great niece to
Lord Horatio Nelson. At one time, in the family we did have a Nelson seal, but a relative hit hard times and sold it in the States - that was our only real proof of the story.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Welcome to the fourm, Christine!

I am not a genealogist, so others on the forum will perhaps offer more help.

However, since Horatio Nelson King served the monarch, there might be some information about him in the Royal Archives at Windsor. I have consulted them in the past, and found them courteous and helpful - though they do take a few weeks to reply. (Everything is conducted in writing - no email.) Good luck!


http://www.royal.gov.uk/The%20Royal%20C ... tions.aspx

Thanks, Anna. I've not tried them - good idea.

Will let you know if have any feedback.

Best Wishes From

Christine

Regret I cannot add any information about any relationship to Lord Nelson, but a search of the 19th Century newspapers has revealed that Horatio Nelson King seems to have had an interesting life...

In May 1860 he is described as an "...eminent photographist of 42 Milson Street, Bath". In 1863 he patented an "..improved apparatus for producing spectral illusions on the stage". He was bankrupt in 1867, described as a Fancy Stationer of Bath. He evidently bounced back however, being shown as the manager of the Theatre Royal in Bath in 1868. In 1895 he published a book of photographs of the Houses of Parliament, and there is a mention of him in 1899 being the Architectural Photographer to the Queen.

There are also mentions of Horatio Nelson, artist - he was working at 95 Grafton Street Dublin in the 1840s, both as a miniature artist but also advertised himself as being a 'Professor of Daguerrotype'.

Christine:

PN's discoveries are fascinating and may well lead to other information about Horato Nelson King. I wonder if PN's newspaper searches included The Bath Chronicle? if not, a search of their archive might prove fruitful, not to mention trade directories etc. Bath is a World Heritage City devoted to preserving its history. I am sure you will find material in the city records.

The connection with the Theatre Royal, Bath might also be a useful source of information. They have an 1805 Club of theatre enthusiasts - the date refers to the building of the new Theatre Royal in 1805 - not to Trafalgar. It might be worth contacting the theatre to see if there is anything in their archive. But the connection alone is an exciting one: the Theatre Royal is one of the most beautiful and prestigious theatres in the country. I live near Bath and am a regular playgoer there.

Thank you for your valuable help.

Have now a few leads to work on - and will perhaps do a trip to Bath. We live near Portsmouth so it is not too far away.

Watch this space with my findings!

Thanks again.

Christine