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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: JenB on Sunday 04 June 17 11:32 BST (UK)
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I would welcome a date, please, for this rather down-trodden looking group. The small boy in sailor costume seems to be clutching a hat which is several sizes too large :-\
Although the photograph has 'Hexham' printed on the back, Allan Ramsden actually appears to have been an 'itinerant' photographer, judging by his 1928 obituary, plying his trade in the north of England and south of Scotland in a caravan. In 1891 and 1901 he was living in County Durham, but not very far south of Hexham.
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Here is part of the 1928 obituary
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I would say this one was 1870 s Jen.
Carol
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Great, Carol, many thanks indeed.
I love the little chap in the sailor suit.
I had read of itinerant photographers before, but not of one who wrote a book about it (see the obituary snip in #1 ) It would be fascinating to see if any copies are available in local libraries.
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Agree with Carol mid-late 1870's.
They don't look down trodden to me.
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Agree with Carol mid-late 1870's.
Thanks you Jim :)
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I was bored Jen. I think they scrub up not too badly though, and perhaps it's the faded state of the photo that makes them appear downtrodden.
Caz
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Nice job Caz, they didn't look downtrodden to me either, actually quite smart. However, without wishing to be cruel, I wouldn't have wanted to bump into them on a dark night..
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Caz, that's lovely.
this rather down-trodden looking group.
Clearly I am comprehensively out-voted on this point :) ;D
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Could they be in mourning Jen ? The dark dress and beads made me think this.
Does this help with your dating ?
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Nice job Caz, they didn't look downtrodden to me either, actually quite smart. However, without wishing to be cruel, I wouldn't have wanted to bump into them on a dark night..
Thanks HP. I was meant to be doing the washing but got distracted! 😁
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Caz, that's lovely.
this rather down-trodden looking group.
Clearly I am comprehensively out-voted on this point :) ;D
Looks like it Jen! 😂😂
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Could they be in mourning Jen ? The dark dress and beads made me think this.
Does this help with your dating ?
I'm afraid I don't know who they are, so can't say whether or not the woman is in mourning. This is a carte which I bought on ebay :)
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Allan Ramsden actually appears to have been an 'itinerant' photographer, judging by his 1928 obituary, plying his trade in the north of England and south of Scotland in a caravan. In 1891 and 1901 he was living in County Durham, but not very far south of Hexham.
Today I have been lent a copy of his book, 'Life in a Caravan' and to my delight it actually contains a photograph of the man himself by the caravan.
He says that before it was converted into a 'photographic saloon' it had been used to transport the 'Norfolk Giant' around fairgrounds http://www.thetallestman.com/roberthales.htm
Ramsden recounts his travels all over the north of England in the caravan. Apparently his wife and children often accompanied him on his journeyings.
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Hi Jen - I'd be very keen on getting hold of a copy of this book. Have you any idea where I might find one, even a digital version.
Regards, Brett Payne
Tauranga, New Zealand
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Brett, my copy was a lucky find via Amazon a year or so ago. I don't think it's available as an e-book.
Your best bet is to keep on looking on second-hand internet booksellers on the offchance that one turns up sometime.
So sorry I can't be any more help.
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I'll do that. Thanks for your esponse, JenB. Much appreciated. Regards, Brett
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While we've got your attention Brett I'd like to say thanks for the website.
Very useful to us amateurs.
Keep up the good work.
jim
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:) Thank you, Jim. Much appreciated, although I must admit that I haven't added to the web sites much in recent years. However, my research continues and I am still compiling information which will appear somewhere, in some form or other, eventually.
Regards and best wishes, Brett
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Allan Ramsden was my Gt Gt Grandfather born 1842 died 1928. I have many of his photographs from all around the Northumberland area. His family lived in various places around the Barnard Castle, Consett area and beyond and his travels with his horse drawn Studio took him to almost 200 villages in the North, hence the many different names on the back of his photo cards. His life is recorded in his autobiography in one of his books 'Life in a Caravan'. Dates on most of his photos show Victorian dress (mid to late 1800s) so not easy to be specific. He also produced booklets of poems and local views. He finally retired to Cotherstone which he like very much. If anyone has any of his books I would be most interested. He does have quite a number of his images in Beamish Museum. If you need any help regarding his images please make contact
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Allan Ramsden (Photographer) was also known as a Phrenologist, lay preacher and lecturer in London Scotland and Ireland.
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How amazing to be in touch with a direct descendent!
I am still collecting photographs by Allan Ramsden, in fact I bought one only a couple of weeks ago.
I was able to purchase a copy of 'Life in a Caravan' a few years ago.
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That's really good to hear, I do have about a dozen given to me by Beamish but not sure how to forward them. What colour is the cover of your book and is it a first or SECOND edtion? Both of mine are the inherited Red 2nd edition and I have a purchased copy of the same but with a Green cover. Ironically I see it was not printed by the family printers of Ramsden Williams (next generation).
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I will check later, but I think it’s 2nd edition.
I’ve seen the obituary - see my posting on the 1st page of this thread :)
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Not very familiar with this site, only just found it again - how do I look at the last post of theis 'thread'
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There are three pages to this thread - click on the number 1 bottom left (just below this post) to see the reply I referred to above.
I simply can’t believe I started this thread seven years ago!
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YES! got it, I had seen it before but not at all familiar with this site. I have doen the 'full' family history on Ancestry under John Clive Lunn - Lunn family if you have any access. His father was Joseph Ramsden. I recently visited his grave stone in Blackhill - not far from Barnard Castle where he kept his caravan in winter at times.
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Also just received a copy of the front of his book Bedburn House