Peasants to Puddles
My Family History - By Nicky Rowberry

Help Wanted

The following are all family photos, but the identities of the people are unknown. If you think you can give me some clue, no matter how small, to any of these photos, please E-mail me. It would be very much appreciated. This page contains several images which may be slow to download.

This first photo does have some clues in it. The original photo is stuck on a board, with the name F Preece, 24a Commercial Street, Hereford printed at the bottom - the name of the photographers presumably. The young man sitting on the stool has HMS Gladiator written on his cap. The HMS Gladiator sank in 1908, so the photograph must pre-date this. If anyone can give me any help either locating the cottage (somewhere in Herefordshire) or identifying the people, I would be very grateful. Any advice on how to go about finding crew lists for the HMS Gladiator could be very useful too.

New Information! I have just discovered that the cottage in this photo is at Stallenge, Withington in Herefordshire. The cottage is still there and looks much the same although it has lost it's thatched roof. The fact that the photo was taken at Stallenge means that the people must almost certainly be part of my Corbett family, who lived there between 1901 and 1924. If I can only find out which one of my Corbett's served on HMS Gladiator, the mystery will be solved.

This second photo has no obvious clues. It comes from my Dad's side of the family, so was probably taken in Herefordshire. If anyone recognises any of these people, I would love to hear from them. If anyone could even suggest an approximate date for the photo, it would be a big help in narrowing down the options.

This third photo I think comes from the Scottish side of the family. It may be Jane Johnstone (1844-1925) but no-one is sure. If anyone can help date the style of her clothing, or come up with any other suggestions, I would love to hear from them.

This fourth photo must come from the Scottish side of the family, but I've no idea where James Johnstone fits into my family tree. Until recently, I didn't even know where the shop was. However, thanks to a very kind gentleman in Glasgow called Colin, I now know that James Johnstone's shop was at 1013 Cathcart Road, Glasgow. From Glasgow trade directories, I now know that the shop was there from at least 1924 to the 1950s, and possibly longer. If anyone can help work out who this James Johnstone was, or perhaps even remembers the shop, I would love to hear from them.

I assume this fifth photo comes from the Scottish side of the family, since the small boy is wearing a kilt. If anyone can help date the style of their clothing, it would be a big help.

Both of these photo were taken by R. Whiteford, 9 Victoria Street, Rothesay. Were they sisters?

This photo comes from a cousin of mine. It was clearly taken in New Zealand by a photographer called Hermann of Cuba Street, Wellington. On the back it has written "For Grandma. With Love from Emma.". Does anyone recognise this smart young couple? Even some help dating the photo would be really useful. Presumably the couple married in New Zealand, but Grandma was still back home in the UK, as this is where the photo ended up. Any help would be much appreciated.

If any of the above is of further interest, please feel free to contact me at: n.rowberry@btinternet.com

Peasants to Puddles - My Family History. By Nicky Rowberry