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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: BlueUK on Sunday 07 April 19 17:55 BST (UK)
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Anyone know why this donkey and family are dressed up and for what kind of occasion .. The family are from Ecclefecan Dumfrieshire and the pic was take about 1890 at ecclefecan or perhaps Carlisle?
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They look rather like Pearly Kings,Cockneys who decorated their clothes with pearl buttons.
Some of the clothes were literally smothered in buttons ,but you have to start somewhere!
It would most likely be a parade,for a holiday or Ithink they put a presence in at the racecourses .
They may have been imitating Pearly Kings etc but did not gave as many buttons .Perhaps for an event like King Edward Seventh’s Coronation when there were probably parades and fetes.Viktoria.
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I was just going to say the same Viktoria. Dressing up as Pearly Kings. The donkey looks a poor specimen bless him. I'd look in the papers for reports of carnivals.
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I'm still wearing the Donkey's flares :o :o :o ;D ;D ;D
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Don't think it would be a pearly King thing would it, as they are a long ways from London :)
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I only looked at the photograph,did not see the message!
Perhaps just dressing up for a carnival parade then.
But it begs the question would they know in Ecclefechan about Pearly Kings etc?Viktoria.
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it must be for a special occasion of some kind to go to the trouble of dressing up the donkey never mind the kids as well eh haha . Maybe it was something to do with the Scottish side of things ? thing is though I wonder why they needed the donkey in on the act maybe they were off somewhere ?
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Forth Bridge opening? 1890 doubtful. Local event?
detailed scan of the small plaque on the donkey, may have something but
also doubtful.
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I tried that . I had the pic in photoshop but was unable to get any detail from the plaque on the donkey , unfortunately there isnt enough resolution or detail already there.. .: :( looks like its going to remain a mystery ...
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We don't think of ancestors as having much leisure time or fun but since I started fam. history I often come across newspaper reports and old notices that showed they were just as passionate about their cycling clubs, canoeing clubs, local flower shows and fetes, etc. etc. Due to there being millions of horses, ponies, donkeys in the country there seemed to be a plethora of competitions for various categories of horse & carriage.
I think the family have dressed up either to enter an annual competition or just join in the fun of an annual parade through town or wherever the parade took place. Those buttons look so shiny that I'm wondering if one of the parents has made them from shells.
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Good points Rena.
BlueUK, does the area have a local history group or Facebook forum? I find our local history forum very helpful. Most of the time... Sometimes they're all as baffled as me about a photo!
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" Sometimes they're all as baffled as me about a photo! "
As they would be, if they saw an old pic of Tom Treddlehoyle riding his
Donkey. Which used to be celebrated every year at Pogmoor feast. ;D ;D ;D ;D
Also Amos the donkey who was Barnsley F.C's club mascot.
https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1DIEZ_enGB803GB803&q=clarence+hotel+barnsley+photos&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjL2Oq9ocDhAhX_SxUIHV4SDooQsAR6BAgJEAE&biw=1280&bih=617
I've supped sum pints in't Clarence ;D ;D ;D ;D
https://www.facebook.com/old.barnsley/photos/a.1461046307255559/1521056521254537/?type=1&theater
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If its south of Scotland , could be something to do with one of the common ridings/riding the Marches?
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Could it have been for a Gala Day https://blog.nms.ac.uk/2018/05/01/gala-days-researching-a-scottish-tradition/
Stan
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May Day was important and people dressed up for that. They celebrated getting the harvest in as well.
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Thanks for the replies to post . I'm going to look into a few of the suggestions posted ..
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Could it have been for a Gala Day https://blog.nms.ac.uk/2018/05/01/gala-days-researching-a-scottish-tradition/
Stan
I agree with Stan. I've witnessed quite a few traditional Gala/Gatherings in various parts of Scotland. It could be that there was a procession and a prize for the best cart. They might even have been dressed as the 'pearly family'
Gadget
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That is a great link that Stan has posted which gives you more links to photographic collections, Scottish archives etc. I am sure if you sent a copy to Scottish Life archives they would love to see the photograph and be able to help you with identification.
Pat
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I must admit when I first saw it "Pearly King & Queen" was what came to my mind. Buttons do seem to feature strongly.
Pat's idea is a good option.
Carol
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I may just do that and send a copy to them 👍
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I think they dressed up as costermongers which is why they look like pearly kings. Probably for a parade or gala day.
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I think you may be right Creasegirl .. They may actually have been costermongers .. snippets here and there in wifes family history give a possibility of this ...
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Hi.
Costermonger is not a term I've come across before, so did some web searches. If it works, below is a link to a clip of the 1920's where they were having a competition among themselves for best team.
The winner was displaying a square 1st prize card, instead of a rosette
https://www.britishpathe.com/video/donkey-show-aka-costermongers-cart-show/query/trophies
Alan.
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This is fascinating! I love this forum :)
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Hi again.
Confirmation of location and competitions.
THE STANDARD Thursday August 17th 1911. Last column page three above the big advert and weather.
https://newspaperarchive.com/london-standard-aug-17-1911-p-3/
Alan.
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You have to subscribe to see it.
Stan
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Interesting one Stan.
Google got me to this particular page, and I clicked on to the green view bigger bar and got to scroll the page.
A small article referred to a past winner of the Ecclefchan, Costermonger competition, having got drunk and been charged with being rough treating his donkey. There was discussion about withdrawing his award and or bared from future competition.
Our New Zealand Genealogy Society has a subscription to GALE so I may try through it, to revisit articles in that area. Not sure if the STANDARD is covered by the subscription.
Alan.
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Hello again.
The plot thickens.
Started from the top again.
Goggle searched; Ecclefechan 1st prize donkey.
And down the hits away, saw THE LONDON STANDARD – Ecclefechan, Costermonger, 1st prize donkey. So clicked on it. See attachment.
It opened with page 3 and a green bar below that offered a larger free page view. By clicking that I soon found the small article. [Like Stan I can not get that step to open using the RC posted page link.]
Now upon rereading the article I see that Ecclefechan is not mentioned, within it, so my hurriedly prepared post, may be ill informed re the location of the reported incident.
Alan.
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Attachments are worth a look up in support of this subject.
Could be free if your city library has an online subscription.
Alan.