I can access information relating to photographers from 19th century trade directories for many English counties (and a few from the rest of the British Isles).
From this information, it is possible to establish base dates of when photographic studios were operating.
I can search these records for specific photographers who may not be mentioned in my listings - (FOR FREE) .
Leave a comment or e-mail to Christine Hibbert at tchibnot@btinternet.com
Hello. I have a photograph of a lady, who i do not know, the Photographic Studio was A.Griffiths & Son. Can you please help.
Kind Regards.
Stewart Stacey
HI Stewart,
do you have the location, town or city for this studio? It would help to find a date which might help to name the lady.
QVictoria
I have a photo of a young lady taken probably about 1900. The studio was I. Whyte, 21 Jamaica Street, Glasgow. I would be grateful if you could advise when the studio was operating.
A site like this is a boon for genealogists keep up the good work.
kind regards,
June Begg
June,
many thanks for your positive comments on the site. I only wish I could help with your query. Unfortunately, I have no access to Scottish trade directories, only those in England and a few in Wales. However, I found a list of Glasgow photographers on the web, which mentioned a J Whyte who was sentenced to 30 days imprisonment in 1887 for making excessive charges for his work. I guess therefore that your date of 1900 would probably be about right. Also the fashion of the day was quite distinctive (large sleeves, blouses and skirts)so they too might pinpoint the date of the photo. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.
QVictoria
I have two Victorian photographs – one by A Mayman, whom I have found on your list, the other by “E.S.Clowes, Artist, late of 238 East Street,Old Kent Road and at 224 Walworth Road” (both London). Can you please tell me when his studio was operating ?
Michael Guerin
I recently bought a victorian photo frame, that contained 4 images of the same (or perhaps closely related) old women. From the dress style I’d guess they were taken in the 1860/70s
I can only identify one studio and that is AW & H Cox, St James Street, Nottingham – he/they operated from the early 1860s to the 1890s
The others all appear to be London based because they give a street but not the Town.
J Christie, 20 Bloomsbury Street
Mr & Mrs Barnard, 131 Regent Street
T Garrick, 32 Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus
Unlike the first one, whose legend covers most of the back and details his achievements, these three have a fairly simple emblem design on the reverse that simply gives the name within or without a design. Also it is only the Cox picture that has anything on the front.
Ideally, I would like to find who the sitter was, but that is unlikely, there fore I’ll settle for more information on the photographers.
Mike
i would be grateful if you could point me in the right direction to finding out where William McKenna had his shop or business in 1868 in Newcastle on Tyne
Hi, what a wonderful site, I am researching early photographers in East London. Would it be possible to send you a list of those I have found in Leyton, Leytonstone, Walthamstow and Chingford and see if you have any info?
Yes, I can search E. London photographers (19th century). Just send the names
Hi I have numerous images which I need to identify the time period for. Hope you can help:
1. T Steward & Co – Buxton
2. D Mitchell, Central Studio Blackpool
3. S Searle Clarendon Place, Hyde Cheshire
4. ?? Winter Derby (Initials very hard to read could be “h”s or “w”s
5. Kenworthy, Park Studios, Park Gates Oldham with lofo “FK” and another one with Kenworthy, Park Studios, 114? Lees Road, Oldham
6.Logo “M” Art Studio Bakewell
7. F E Taylor Royal Studio, Stockport
8.Taylor 53 St James Place, Liverpool & 54a Mumps Oldham
9. Logo “T” Taylor Photographer
10. Logo “S” Rupert Stearn Mill St, Bakewell
11. Arthur Dearden Blackpool & Oldham, and 46 Church St Blackpool
12. Carte De Viste Portrait
13. W J Gregson & Co Talbot Road, Blackpool
14. C H Hooper Bakewell
15. Chas C Bradshaw, Bakewell & 57 Market St, Manchester
16. A Seaman & Sons, Sheffield
Thanks in advance. I really hope you are able to help
Regards
Emma
Hi Emma, that’s quite a list. Will get back to you asap.There is a list of some Derbyshire photographers on the blog, so you might find a few of yours there.
Christine (‘Watch the Birdie’ blog)
Hi,
I have some photographs that I’d like to find out the photographer for. Unfortunately we don’t know the exact dates they were taken, although we’re guessing 1895-1900. The photographer is thought to have lived/worked around Bournemouth area and the initials on the bottom of the photographs are W.F.W. – we think the “W” stands for Watts as they have been passed down through the family. I can’t find a “Watts” on your “W” list, could you possibly help?
Many thanks,
Alice
Alice, there was a W. Watts (no middle initial) in Bournemouth in 1895 but sadly I have no other reference to him. Does this help?
Hi,
Thanks very much, that gives me a starting point to go from.
Thanks again,
Alice
On my blog I have another card I want to date. I can’t find that photographer on your site (first place I went too) The photographer is C Shakespeare, Photographic Artist, 162 King’s Road, Chelsea London. I have found references to him being at that address in the 1880s but the hair and sleeves seem to be early 1870s to me. The card has been colored with water colors I think. It was done by the photographer as the back advertises that service. Hope you can help me like you did the last time!
Well, Wanda, here he is – Charles Shakespeare, 182 Kings road, Chelsea, between -1871 and 1886-
Christine
Hi again,
I have a studio photograph taken by J. Deayton of 203, Wimbourne Road, Winton, Bournemouth which I’d like to be able to date. Perhaps you could help? Thanks very much,
Alice
Sorry, that should be 203 Wimborne Road.
Sadly, Alice, I was unable to find this photographer within my own listings. I’ll see waht else I can try.
Christine
However, I have found him in 1911 in Kelly’s Directory of Hampshire.
Christine
Thanks very much!
Alice
I have a photo of a baby, in with family photos, don`t know who the baby is ! The photographer`s name is Alfred Hughes and the address is 433, Strand w.c. i think that is London which throws me. Do you know if there were studios elsewhere in the country and what year they ran too
Thank you in anticipation
Margaret
Hi Margaret,
Alfred Hughes was at the 433 Strand address (yes, in London) from at least -1892-1908-. I don’t know of any other branches under his name. There was quite a family of Hughes photographers. Cornelius Hughes was at the Strand address from 1856 – 1861, then Edward S Hughes was at the 433 Strand address in 1862. Cornelius also worked in the Isle of Wight from 1862, perhasp Alfred worked there too.
Hi again,
Thank you so much for your quick reply and infomation. I think that rules out my ancestors (as far as I can tell) as it would have been Grimbsy area or Tyneside.
I`d like to add what a wonderful job you do on here, you are very kind, I have some mysteries I may be asking for your help again.
Margaret
Hello, I have been trying to identify the people in a couple of photographs, and if I could find the dates this particular photographer moved studio buildings this may help. They have been mentioned by Emma Gaulton on 17th March 2012 request.
a) KENWORTHY, PARK STUDIO, PARK GATES, OLDHAM
b) KENWORTHY, PARK STUDIO & 114 LEES ROAD, OLDHAM
If the children are who I think they are then it’s possible the dates are circa
a) 1894
b) 1899
It would be great if you can find dates they moved the studio, thanks.
Lesley, I’ll see if I can find anything out about this photographer
Lesley, have been unable to locate any trade directories for Oldham, one of the perils of being a town near the supergiants of Manchester or Leeds, the smaller places didn’t get much of a look-in. Sorry!
Thank you for trying, much appreciated