Old Mystery Photo

[westsmith]

Hi

Just a thought about the photo.  This looks to me like a typical Womens Institute tea.  Any Mileage in trying to contact the local branch with a copy of the photo?

STsmith

[dennford]

Hi Jan,
     If! it was a mental institution that may even explain why the photo had been hidden.
      Also it may even be possible to find information from Storthes Hall as to wether or not records are available to prove or disprove wether any of your ancesters were ever there.
                                          Denn

[dennford]

Just googled Storthes Hall -there are 100s of results, it sounds like a spooky sort of a place - stories of ghosts, strange experiments on inmates ect ect.
Also if you want to follow this line of thought I did find the following references to the place  on the bg forums site.
1/    "write to the Archives at Wakefield, as they hold the records for Storthes Hall. It's just that they are so slow in replying .... "

2/    "We do hold the records of Storthes Hall here – and there are casenotes to be found for John **********in the hospital casebooks – his details given as No ****, admitted 14 Mar 1911, age 35 and died 7 Oct 1923 on his index card.

However, there is still a 100 year closure imposed on patients’ records. You will need to contact Christine Parker, Records Manager, St Lukes Hospital, Crosland Moor, Huddersfield HD5 5RG – tel 01484 343900 – for written permission for access. Once you have received the permission you could send it to us and we could cost how much photocopies would come to, if you required these. Contact us again when we can be of further help to you.

Regards,

Geoff Brown
Archivist



West Yorkshire Archive Service, Wakefield Headquarters
Newstead Road
Wakefield "




                                          Denn

[dave the tyke]

Jan,
I do hope that you will let us know if you have any response from the news paper archives.
We seem to have really gone to town on this photo without knowing much about it at all, it's really surprising what a group of people can come up with when they work together.

Good hunting
Dave

[Elizabeth Revel]

What a super old picture.

I see that no one has suggested an OAP gathering. There are usually less men at those affairs than women.

Interesting that the seated people are wearing coats while the standing ones have removed theirs.

It looks as though the man and woman on the far side of the table are centred in the picture. Could it be an anniversary tea party for an elderly couple? Might explain the decorations.

Having spent a little time at a Mental Institution around 1960 I would discount that explanation as a locale.

I know, I know, I worked there!!

Beth

[dave the tyke]

Of course Beth,
we spotted the hats and coats earlier but didn't attach the proper significance - They came to the do from outside. Even some of the staff are wearing hats, they too are from outside. You wouldn't put on a hat if you were already 'home' so the people are not inmates or residents of the place where the party is being held.
Thanks
Dave

[trellisick]

in them there days we didn't have the luxury of central heating etc. so even at a do like this you would keep your coat on, also it was part of your show of attire, (sunday best) so why would you take it of?
                                                                                                       kali.

[northern_rose]

Thinking about the coats and hats and institution theory......... we know it's spring (from the flowers) so it would be cold out................if moving from the building you live in to a communal building (scene of photo) ........... you would put your coat on!

[westsmith]

This is really getting everyone going!!

I just wondered, is there a prize for the winner when it is found out exactly what where and when the photo was taken??!!
  STsmith