Illinois Genealogy

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researching ancestors in Illinois

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McVickers Theater?

by Kate Steere

Jul 19, 2009

Hi all-

I am researching William A Lavelle, my ggreatgrandfather in law, and according to articles I've found, he was involved as an actor/super at the McVickers Theater in Chicago. I'm trying to find a book on the Theater or a collection of the plays that occurred in the 1870s-1880s to see if I can find more info on him.

I can find him living in Chicago with his second wife Henrietta Rosch Lavelle, a dancer, in 1910 and 1920, but he doesn't appear on any census that I can find until 1910. So, I'm hoping to find something in the McVickers history information.

thanks!
Kate
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  • up

    Cheryl Rothwell

    There were Chicago City Directories in 1870, 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1876, 1877, 1878, 1879, 1880, 1881, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1885, 1886, 1887, 1888, 1889, 1890, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1896, 1897, 1898, 1899, 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910.

    They would be useful if you can locate them.

    Chicago Historical Society
    Clark Street at North Avenue
    1601 North Clark Street
    Chicago, IL 60614
    312-642-4600
    www.chicagohistory.org

    Jul 19, 2009

    • up

      Deb Haines

      I found him listed in the Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, published 1876, on Google Books.

      http://books.google.com/books?id=bN8CAAAAYAAJ&dq=william%20a%20...

      If that link doesn't bring you to the page, go to:

      http://books.google.com/ and search william a lavell actor.
      1

      Jul 25, 2009

      • up

        Denise Pagel Moskovitz

        Is this him? If so -- how neat!

        W.A. Lavelle, Double of "Buffalo Bill" Dies

        Col. William A Lavelle, one of the surviving old time showmen, died last night at the American hospital at the age of 82. In appearance he was a double for "Buffalo Bill" Cody, with whom he was long associated. It was with difficulty that even their closest friends could tell them apart. He will be buried in the Showman's League of America cemetery in Woodlawn.

        1924-03-04 Chicago Tribune (IL)
        Record Number: 19240304C016430020000039
        1

        Jul 27, 2009