I'm Frank Kametaro's great grandaughter and am interested in finding about his career as Chung Ling Soo's assistant.
I would appreciate any information about the shows, tours, lifestyle they lived and expecially any pictures of the whole entourage which should include Frank and his wife Gertrude and maybe even their daughters, one of which became my grandmother.

Natalie, Leeds, England

Hi Natalie,

Welcome to the forum, it's nice to have someone with such an illustrious ancestry on these pages!

There have been several biographies of Chung Ling Soo written over the years.

I can personally recommend 'The Riddle of Chung Ling Soo' written by Will Dexter, where there are several references to your great grandfather.

Val Andrews, some years ago produced a beautifully illustrated book entitled, 'Gift From the Gods' – well worth a read.

Jim Steinmeyer has more recently written 'Glorious Deceptions'. I can't tell you a lot about this one as I haven't seen it, but Jim Steinmeyer is a highly respected author and I am sure he will have produced an excellent and detailed work.

Here are links to all three books:

'Glorious Deception' (Jim Steinmeyer)

http://www.amazon.com/Glorious-Deception......8671512X

'The Riddle of Chung Ling Soo' (Will Dexter)

http://www.magicbooksbypost.co.uk/shop/shop.php?

'Gift From the Gods' (Val Andrews)

http://www.davenportsmagic.co.uk/acatalog/Books2.html

Good luck!

Leslie.

A Google search for Frank Kametaro turned this article up.

http://jimsteinmeyer.com/newsletter/glorious_deception/

One post on a forum mentioned that there was wire walker named Frank Kametaro.

Not sure if this helps but there's a photo here of Chung Ling Soo and company.
http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/miscpics/0/1/9/doc/mp019182.shtml

Hi Leslie and Jaz

Thankyou so much the information and links you have provided are very much appreciated!

I have found out Frank's birthplace this week so have been making enquiries in Japan about family records which is keeping me busy!

I am reading Jim's book and am fortunate to be in email contact with him which is wonderful as he is so knowledgable. I've just got copies of Val Andrews book, Gary Frank's book and Will Dexter's book so I have a lot of reading to do! I just need a copy of Todd Karr's book now but I hear they aren't easy to get hold of just like Ben Robinson's book. Will have to be patient and see what comes my way!

Thanks again for your replies and helpful information

Natalie

Hi Natalie

Thought I would join you on here, see what info we can dig up!

Hi Jay

Hope you are working hard on 'Project Frank!'

Speak soon

Natalie