Robert Stevens photographer

[BettyBoops]

G'day, Based on the information my dad gave me, his father was a photographer/touch up artist who operated somewhere in Sydney. Under the name given me, I've had no luck. The closest I've come is a photographer from Grafton. I'm still on his trail. Has anyone come across signed work done in gold ink? If so, apart from being elated, I'd like to know the name, which may help to finding my paternal family. The surname Dad went under is as common as Smith and Jones, but I don't want to mislead anyone by giving the name. Many thanks in advance for any help. Regards, Betty Ballard.

[Ruskie]

Welcome to rootschat Betty.

I would advise giving his name. There could be dozens of photographers in NSW within that broad range of dates, who were signing in gold ink.was the gold ink an actual signature or just his name printed in gold ink?

Some examples of his photographs, the cardstock (ie the backs of the photos as well as the entire front including edges) as well as a scan of his signature might be helpful.

I am not sure that anyone would be willing to spend the time looking for photographers who signed in gold ink on the off chance that they might be your ancestor.  I don't understand how giving his name would be misleading - the opposite in fact. 

[BettyBoops]

I wasn't sure how popular signatures in gold ink would be. I'm guessing he signed on the front because Dad was in NZ and spotted one of his father's works, which he recognized by the signature. The surname was supposed to have been Stevens. My hope is that, just on the off chance, someone happens across a photo. I certainly wouldn't want anyone to spend hours looking through a photography haystack! Thank you, Betty

[BettyBoops]

O, and also, I'm striking out on finding any of his family, or even placing Dad, in Sydney further back than 1921. He was born in 1898. Cheers, Betty

[Ruskie]

Hi Betty.

If you give us the details of his birth and anything you know about his parents and his movements, someone is sure to be able to help you. I am not sure if this request might be better on the Australia board. 

Some of the sleuths over there might be able to help with your photo too.

Let me know if you would like it moved and I will ask a moderator to do that for you. I think you will get a better response.

Added: you didn't say if it was a printed signature or a written one?

Added: what is the photograph of? Do you have a first name or initial for Mr Stevens? We really need more information. For example I found a Henry Stevens who was a landscape photographer ....

[BettyBoops]

Firstly, Ruskie, any assistance is GREATLY appreciated. I've been searching on and off over the past few years, and more intently these past few months, as well as a daughter. And now, another on-line friend has come on board. My dad is a difficult man to track down.

I only know from what Dad (Robert Stevens) said about his parents and siblings.
Father - Walter. Mother - Kathleen.  Sisters - Rita and Shelagh (or is it Sheila?). Brother - Colin.
Lived in Gosford, Sydney. Walter worked as a touch-up artistic photographer in Sydney.
Robert sung in Church (of England) choir. Colin was keen on trains.
Walter did well with his business as he sent Colin and Robert overseas with a tutor. The thing is, Robert had an accent, not too dissimilar to an Indian/Burmese. I had heard him speak what I took to be Hindi on a couple of occasions. Though not much was said of it.
Robert was in the first WW. I know not where, as like so many of his time, little was said. It would appear (through friend's tracking) that he left Sydney for Wellington, NZ, in 1921. I know he worked there 1922/23 (May). The reference included "W" for the middle initial. A later reference (hand written) has what looks like a "H" as the middle initial. He was back in NSW around August 1923. Through work references, I can pretty much track Robert Stevens until he died.

I hope this will help, Ruskie.  And many thanks, Betty

[BettyBoops]

I'm guessing the signature was written (this is circa 1890-1920).
As Dad only let himself be known as Robert, I've no idea what the middle initial stood for, as I only read the documents (work references) after he and mum had passed away.
Kathleen Stevens (his mum), was nee Johnstone. Gleaned from Wedding Certificate of my parents.

[BettyBoops]

And I've absolutely no idea if Walter concentrated on portraits, landscapes or other general types of photography. The information I've given is only what was told to me (and what I selfishly took the time to listen to:-\) in my youth.
Robert was born 1895 (he says, but could have been as late as 1898) in Sydney. I'm beginning to question those dates and location based on my searches.

[BettyBoops]

I'm off to Sydney (live in Warnbro, Western Australia) on Saturday and during the week's stay in Sydney I'm going to the library as well as visiting a couple of the cemeteries in the Gosford area. I had hoped to gain some knowledge from CofE confirmation records 1905-1910, but my understanding is that the library has that information. Cheers