I just posted this as a response to another message, but thought I would post it separately, just in case the names ring a bell to anyone else who has been searching for gypsies in England. Thanks to anyone who can help!

My Great-Grandfather's name was Tom Ball born in 1889 or 1890 in Derbyshire, England. He died in Canada in 1976. His parents were John Ball and Annie (maiden name unknown). John was probably born in Manchester, England and Annie was born in Rumania in either 1867 or 1868. She died in Canada in 1951. They must have immigrated (?) to Canada sometime before 1915 when my Grandfather was born.

I know that they lived as gypsies and have travelled with the Barnum & Bailey circus. I have seen an old newspaper clipping of one of the family's caravans that had caught on fire, killing a baby named Matthew Ball. Unfirtunately, I haven't been able to track down the newspaper clipping again, so I am unsure as to where this might have happened.

I was looking around at some of the websites, including one that had the 1881 census for gypsies, travellers, and I did see a John and Brittannia ages 27, 23, but this would make her (Annie's) age on her death certificate incorrect. She would only have been 13 in 1881. I also found a Tom Ball in the 1891 census at age 11 in Derbyshire, but without paying the charge, couldn't get any additional information.

Thanks again!

Katrina Ball