Pembrokeshire Photographers 1860-1920

[John_Lewis-Spencer]

Hi Mothball,

This is the 'timeline' for Sidney Webb.

WEBB Sidney Commercial Row, Pembroke Dock 1868, 1871
WEBB Sidney Dimond St, Pembroke Dock 1875, 1880
WEBB Sidney Laws St, Pembroke Dock 1884.

I think he was active for many years as I've four different styles of his cards.
The advertising motives were in red, green, blue then black with the Prince of Wales feathers.

Sam John Allen one of Charles Smith Allen's sons was in Pembroke as well as our Sid and the Trindall family.  The docks produced a fair amount of photographic trade.

ALLEN Samuel J. 26 Bush St, Pembroke Dock 1891, 1895, 1901 S.J. 1891 + 1895
ALLEN S.J. Creswell Buildings, Bush St,Pembroke Dock 1906, 1910
ALLEN Samuel J. Picton Place, Haverfordwest 1891, 1895, 1901, 1906
ALLEN S.J. Picton Place 1901 and 1906
ALLEN Samuel J. Cartlett, Haverfordwest 1910, 1914, 1920

I think that when photographers took over existing businesses they used the printed cards from the previous owner for a short while.  This does cause some confusion.

Regards

Llanfallteg

[mothball]

Hello Llanfallteg

Interesting project you have.

I have Sidney Webb on the  1891 census occupation as Watchman and in 1901 aged 67, occupation Brick Layer, some mistake I think?

Here is a link to the discussion about my photo when I first joined rootschat, you might find some of the comments of interest.

There is also a scan of the back of the photo too.

(I notice many call Dimond Street Diamond Street - I think that is a local thing)

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,372640.0.html

Regards

Steven

[John_Lewis-Spencer]

Hi Stephen,

Thanks for the link to the old thread.

I'll cover that in another reply.

I followed Sidney Webb through the census the same as you've done.

I couldn't see why he turned to bricklaying and was sure that I had gone down the wrong route.

I wondered why he was bricklaying later on in life! Perhaps there was more money to be made after the first run of good years with picture taking.

I've edited your carte-de-visite image and its attached.  Didn't know how attachments looked when sent until I saw your old thread, otherwise I would have used them before.

I'll look at the Webb backs that I've on file, and be on line again this evening.

Regards

John

[John_Lewis-Spencer]

Hi Stephen,

Found a few Sidney Webb carte-de-visite backs of the cards.

I've never seen the one you have before, must 'tie in' to when he had a photographic job at the dockyard.  I did read about him recently, possibly in Pembrokeshire Life and how he was employed taking photographs of ships in the dockyard.  I'll have a search through the back numbers.

Regards

John

[mothball]

Thanks very much for those.   I thought I read somewhere that he worked in photography in the early 1900's, but am not definite.    The census could easily be wrong, would seem a bit strange to start a career in bricklaying at that age.

Did you notice in the 1861 census his occupation was Licensed Victualler?

A dab hand at everything!

The link in the other thread takes you to a small discussion with one his descendants, here it is

http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/DYFED/2002-11/1038063106

Steven

[John_Lewis-Spencer]

Hi Steven,

I've looked at the census information again. Fairly sure its the same family, so he did end up as a bricklayer!
The last time I have him advertising as a photographer is 1884. In 1881 he seems to be still very operational.

Regards

John

[John_Lewis-Spencer]

Hi Steven,

In case you wondered what it looked like..... Dimond Street about 1900-20.

Regards

John

[Sandy2006]

Hi,

Sidney Webb was my gg grandfather and I have information about him if you are interested.

He was indeed a stonemason by trade and moved to Pembroke Dock in the 1850s to help build the town.  How he became a photographer I don't know, but he was also a licenced victualler - I think the photography may have been a bit of a sideline for him.  Although in later life he was working again as a bricklayer, his death certificate records him as a photographer. 

Sandra

[mothball]

Hello Sandra

Welcome to RootsChat!

I've been interested in this post started by Llanfallteg, who am sure will be in touch with you.  I was curious how he Sidney Webb  had so many occupations.

I have an old photo by him on my profile to the left here.

I was born in Pembroke Dock but unfortunately was brought up elsewhere, as now am learning all about Pembroke and Pembroke Dock.  One grandparent came from Pembroke and the other from an old Pembrokeshire family of Morris who lived on Front Street for decades (Divers a lot of them).

  We always went there a few times a year as my Gran lived there up to the 1980's.

Off to bed now

Regards

Steven