RootsChat.Com
England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Hertfordshire => Topic started by: Ravintola on Wednesday 13 May 09 09:33 BST (UK)
-
I wonder if anyone knows anything about the attached photograph of a sweet shop - A. J. Rymell it is thought to either have been in Harpenden or Salisbury. If anyone can help with the photo or the Rymell family connected with it I would be very grateful. (I have also posted a similar topic on the Wiltshire board).
-
Hi
There is a tobacconists in Harpenden high street called 'Thornes'-it is still there and has a resemblance to the frontage in the photogragh but I think it has always been called 'Thornes'. I know that's not much help!
Russell
-
Hello - it's not Thornes. They have been at 3 High Street since at least the 30s and that building has a very different style of brickwork around the upper windows. It's also on the flat, whereas this building is clearly on a slope. It looks to me more like the buildings on the north side of Station Road going up the hill - there are a few of buildings of this sort of style roughly opposite the post office - I know they used to be (ten to twenty years ago) Classical Rock, the Harpenden Building Society, Simmonds, a photo place I forget the name of and a couple of others. I haven't been back for some time though, so I don't know what they are now.
I've also had a quick look at the Hertfordshire Kellys Directories in my local library, but there's no Rymells listed for 1906, 1929, 1933 or 1937. They didn't have any more recent directories to check, so if this is Harpenden it'll be post-war.
Good luck
Richard.
-
Thank you for this Richard, it is a mystery because the photo provides evidence that the sweet shop existed, but family knowledge on this is unclear that's why Salisbury or Harpenden were mentioned as most probable locations.
Hopefully somene will be able to recognise it one day.
Thanks again for your kind help
-
Hi
I know that it's a long time to reply and this may not help BUT.............
Kellys Directory 1914 Harpenden Directory lists a Walter Rymell in Luton Road (Grocer).
Part of the family?
Regards
Ray
-
Thanks for this. I will check to see if there was a Walter Rymell in the family. It is possible that other family members were shopkeepers.
Thanks again.
-
Kelly's 1939 Wiltshire Directory has the following listed under "Confectioners - Retail":
Rymell Alfd. J, 22 North st, Wilton, Salisbury
If you input the address into Google Maps you can, in Street View, see the building today (P. Murchison, television retail and repairs, now renumbered 49 North Street). You will note, for example, that the distinctive upper four windows on the ground floor are unchanged.
Nigel
-
Many thanks. I will take a look now.
Kind Regards
-
Ravintola / Nigel
Isn't it great when the target subject gets "refreshed"?
Need Help? Shout!
Good Hunting!
Ray