Was a relative at wedding?
PAUL Watkinson, who lives in Hampshire, is hoping that Bygones readers can shed some light on this wonderful picture.
Paul said: "Does anyone recognise their ancestor in this Edwardian-looking photo? It was sent to me as "Watkinson Confirmation Group" but some have suggested it must be a wedding group with a line of bridesmaids.
-
RING ANY BELLS? Members of the Watkinson family, but what was the occasion and where was the photograph taken? If you can help, then please get in touch.
"But where is the bride? And her intended? The seated man with the black walrus moustache looks too depressed to be the groom!
"The only people I recognise are Councillor William Shearman Watkinson, 1859-1944 (moustache, propping up the left hand door post), who together with his four other brothers were fish merchants on Grimsby docks, and built several Methodist chapels including the Ebenezer Chapel in Cleethorpes.
MAYFAIR ESTATE AGENTS
If we cannot find you a tenant within one month, we will find you one for FREE, yes FREE, you will pay no fees.
Contact 01472 355553
Terms: Terms and Conditions Apply
Contact: 01472 355 553
Valid until: Friday, May 24 2013
"The bearded man occupying the doorway, and indeed the house, is probably one of William's two older brothers, either Councillor Thomas Robinson Watkinson JP (1857-1935) or George Spencer Watkinson JP (1855-1946), but I cannot be sure.
"The bearded man in the second row, third from right, is Charles Tresise (1853-1932), Alderman and printer of Burton-on-Trent. His wife, Mary Polly nee Watkinson (1854-1934), is probably in picture.
"Other more tentative identifications include Martha Patti Watkinson nee Pearce, 1860-1948 (in the second row, second from right), wife of another of the five brothers, Charles Kynman Watkinson (1858-1934).
"Fanny Taylor nee Watkinson (1847-1939) could be the lady in the second row, third from left, wearing a sort of net pattern dress.
"The older lady in the Victorian bonnet and lace collar might be Harriet Watkinson nee Horton (1831-1903), second wife and widow of George Spencer Watkinson (1822-1885), the clay pipe maker of Market Rasen whose five sons are mentioned herein. If this is the case, the photo would have been taken before 1903.
"The house looks like a fairly newly-built double-fronted villa, judging from the saplings in the foreground, but perhaps they were planted for the occasion to add to the massing of maidenhair bouquets."
If you can help with more information about the Watkinson family, or the location of the house, then please let us know. The address is Bygones, Grimsby Telegraph, 80 Cleethorpe Road, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire DN31 3EH or e-mail bygones@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk
Comments