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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: pmgreen314 on Tuesday 31 March 15 17:09 BST (UK)
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Looking for dating of this photo. Glued to card stock with "Edwin Skinner" on left hand side, "47, Good Station Road, Tunbridge Wells" on right hand side. I believe it to be of Frederick John Dainton, 1859-1929 and assume it is in front of a home in Tundridge Wells.
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Dressed in livery we need to see the cardstock.
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Hi...I freshened it up a bit for you and took out the scratch.
Carol
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Here is the picture with identification on bottom. The card stock is a light brown colour (like a large envelope) with a lighter band across the bottom with the photographer ID. Thanks.
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I was interested in the photo you posted by Tunbridge Wells photographer Edwin Skinner of 47 Goods Station Road. As a member of the Tunbridge Wells Family History Society and a researcher and writer of all things pertaining to the history of Tunbridge Wells I can help with your inquiry, for topics relating to local photography and photographers happens to be an area of specialty to mine. I have written an article entitled "Glanville,Skinner & Wyles-Photographers" dated March 2,2012 which appeared that year on my website www.allabouttunbridgewells.com but it can no longer be seen on the website. If you send me a "personal message" on Rootschat with your email address I will send you a copy of the article. However to answer your question, Edwin Mark Skinner began his photographic career in Tunbridge Wells as a partner with photographer George Glanville. The firm of Glanville & Skinner are listed in local directories of 1899 at 2 The Broadway on Mount Pleasant Road. They later sold this studio to Mr Wyles and moved to a new studio at 32 High Street. The firm of Glanville & Skinner are found at 32 High Street in the 1903 Kelly directory. By 1913 Glanville retired from the business and directories of 1913 to 1922 list only Edwin Mark Skinner at 47 Goods Station Road. Sometime after 1922 Skinner moved to Sussex. He died at Uckfield Sussex in 1951. So you photo was taken sometime in the period of about 1913 to 1922. It hay have been taken sometime after 1903 and also for I have no directories for the period of 1904 to 1912 and the only directory I have after 1922 is for 1930 and Skinner is not listed. To get a more accurate timeframe for your photo I suggest you ask the Tunbridge Wells Reference Library to look in their directories between 1904 and 1912 and after 1922. I would be very interested in receiving any information you have for the Frederick John Dainton you believe is the coachman in the photo. With whatever you give me I can do some research on him. I would be most interested in any information you have on who he worked for ; where he worked; the name of the house or location of the house in the photo. Regards.......Edward James Gilbert
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Since my last reply I have researched Frederic John Dainton and have census, directory, birth,death, probate etc records for him and his wife and children and his parents and siblings. I have three photos of his children and a photo of his and his wifes headstone but I do not known in what cemetery they were buried- do you know?
I have also sent the photo to the Southborough Historical Society in an attempt to identify the name and location of the house in the photo. It is highly likely that since Dainton lived in Southborough that the house in the photo is also in Southborough and not within the town of Tunbridge Wells. I am waiting for a reply to my inquiry. If and when I get one I will post the information. It is unfortunate that the census records of Frederick and his family give him in his own home at 39 Bedford Road in Southborough and not living on the premises of his employer.
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Thank you, for your help! Frederick is my paternal ggrandfather. He and his wife Caroline are buried in St. Peter's Church, Southborough. If you were doing your research through ancestry it is likely my family tree you referenced (Dainton/Sancaster). My grandfather was his son Robert. From what I understand the Daintons apparently ran a coach service, ferrying "upper class folks" to their summer residences. I'm not sure if this is true, and if so, whether or not they owned the coach. I do believe they must have been reasonably comfortable as there are a number of portraits in the family which suggests some disposable income. I will message you with my email address if I can figure out how :-) I'm new to rootschat. Pat Green
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Hi there,
Smokey - I have looked for your article online and on the Tunbridge Well FHS but sadly I cannot find either.
I'm hoping to find out a little more about Glanville & Skinner of 32 High Street, Tunbridge Wells. I have an old family photo which has this name and address on the card. I am unsure who these family members are so I'm hoping a little more information about the company might help me place them.
Pic attached.
Thanks so much
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My article about Glanville,Skinner & Wyles is no longer available online. If you want a copy of it send me a personal message with your email address and I will send it to you. Details about the company however will not assist you in identifying the person in your photo as the company did hundreds of photos.