Tracing the history of a Victorian Album

This blog follows the search to reveal the history of a Victorian Photographic Album and illustrates how the internet and the many helpful people and organisations who post information there can help to uncover fascinating details about the album and its contents. Hopefully this will lead to it being reunited with the descendants of the family to whom it belonged. A rather optimistic target I would say but let us start and we shall see how this progresses... This is Day 1 of the search....

Day 1 2nd July 2016

I started by removing the photos from the album, numbering them all lightly in pencil and trying to make some overall assessments as to whether all the photos in the album genuinely belong in it or not.

By inspecting the carte de visites we can find in most cases the photographers names and addresses. This will give us a rough date for each photo once we are able to get hold of a directory of photographers. We can also look for any names on the back of the cards.There are two names in the album a William Hayton Dawson of which there are two photos and a Dr Arneson. William Hayton Dawson is quite an unusual name, if not unique, and that should give us a good start, but he may only be an acquaintance of the family or a distant relation. There are also three photos of the same house which is Ryton, West Villa. Ryton is a small village seven miles west of Newcastle upon Tyne (or Newcastle on Tyne as it was called then). Many of the photographs are from Newcastle so it is very likely that the album is from Newcastle and or from the surrounding area. The photo of the house is a major clue as who would insert three photos of someone elses house in their album! It must surely be the house of the person whose album it was. Perhaps if this house is named in the census we can find the family who lived there.

Here are some of the photos from the album

William Hayton Dawson

A comparison of the A & G Taylor card with the images on the Derbyshire photographers website would date this photo to the mid 1880s. Tracing William Hayton Dawson on Ancestry gives his date of birth as being 1857 which means that he was in his mid 20s when the portrait on the left was taken. This looks reasonable. The photo of him as a child maybe two or three years of age would date this as about 1860 which again looks reasonable from the card design but the address of the photographer would have to be checked. The RPS have a directory of photographers for this area and I shall have to send for that. Hopefully this should confirm dates of many of the photos in the album. More on William Hayton Dawson further down the page..

Dr Arneson

Although it would appear this is Dr Arneson the name is written in pen over the original name which is in pencil. It may have been transcribed incorrectly as searches for a Dr Arneson reveal nothing however searches for Dr Arnison reveals many results in both google and in the British Newspaper Archives.

Ryton. West Villa

Some other Interesting portraits

Thanks to the experts on Rootchat some information about the military photo can be revealed. The date is probably early or mid 1870s. The chap is most likely a member of the Militia, probably the Northumberland Artillery Militia who were based in South Shields. He is wearing an outdated tunic typical of the mid 1850s with up to date embellishments. The sword would indicate that he is an officer. The tassel on the sword is purely decorative but it has a loop which when tightened around the wrist would ensure that the sword was not lost from his hand when in battle. His beard is described as a Newgate Frill. His pill box cap is typical of the artillery.

And Views

According to the book Whitby Photographers by Ruth King, William King a printer and stationer branched out into photography for a few years in the 1860s and was declared bankrupt in 1868. So this photo of Whitby Abbey probably dates to around mid 1860s

Is the photo on the right of any significance? It has the same border as the military photo but no photographers name. Where is this place?

Some group photos, two of which have been taken by photographer A Pettitt, Gallery of fine art, Keswick and Gilsland Spa, Cumberland. Alfred Pettitt had opened a studio in Grasmere in 1853 and in 1858 Alfred and his brother moved to larger premises in St Johns Street, Keswick. (Ref Victorian Lake Photographers by S F Kelly)

Searching Google for Gilsland Spa bring up the Wikipedia listing which suggests that Gilsland Spa was a popular resort for the working classes from Tyneside. Is this Gilsland Spa? We shall have to find out. The property is now Gilsland Hall Hotel. An email to the hotel might just get us the information we need to determine if these photos were taken there. There was already a railway between Newcastle and Carlisle which was probably the mode of transport most people used to get to Gilsland Spa. In this photo the rather flamboyant chap on the right is getting familiar with the lady on the left, lets hope its his wife. This is rather an unusual sight in a portrait of this era, having his arm around the lady.

Day 2 - 3rd July

Work on William Hayton Dawson's family tree and search for Ryton. West Villa. Also posted the group photo and the military photo to Rootschat to see if anyone can date these. See comments above -for feedback on the military photo.

No reference can be found to Ryton. West Villa on Google, British Newspaper Archives (BNA) or Ancestry but there is a reference to Ryton Villa in the 1851 census and it is near to Barmoor Lane which is on the west side of Ryton. It was occupied by Robert and Mary Vickerman. There are also references to Ryton Villa in the British Newspaper Archive (BNA). Robert Vickerman was selling the property in 1852. It is described as a Copyhold Cottage called Ryton Villa situated on the Bar Moor, Ryton, containing four rooms, a wash house and other conveniences together with a garden comprising about 1 Rood and 7 Perches. A Sarah Crole may have operated a school the house in January 1854. There is a group photo of school children and teachers in the album.

A look at Barmoor Lane properties using Google Street View shows that there are a few that are similar in design to the one in the album. Maybe a look at old maps of the area might reveal just how many properties were in the area in the 1850s/60s and perhaps a match might be found . The building actually looks L shaped and the reference to West might refer to the west side of a larger property.

Day 3 - 4th July

Just to throw a spanner in the works a search of the BNA reveals that there is a reference to a Ryton Villa at Seaton which is still in the Newcastle area just north of the Tyne and a Ryton Villa in St Peters Grove in York. York is important because the dealer said that he had bought the album in York, so there is even a chance that Ryton Villa might be in that town.

Order of photos

It is quite possible that the photos have been removed from the album at some time and put back again or have been ordered in quite a random fashion.By inspecting the backs of the cards there are quite a few examples of where what could be husband and wife have been taken by the same photographer at the same time, the backdrop is the same and the back of the mounting card is the same. So if these were paired up then it might reveal husband and wife pairs or mother and child pairs. Here are some examples.

A Description of the Frew Studio from the Shields Daily News 24th May 1870

Mr Frew's new photographic establishment, North Shields.

Mr J Frew, who has practised most successfully the photographic art in North Shields for several years, has just removed to more convenient and commodious premises No 11 Railway Terrace. In the fitting up and arranging of his new premises, Mr Frew has not only paid special attention to comfort and convenience of visitors, but he has at considerable expense affected great improvements in connection to his studio, which will enable him to pursue the practice of photography with increased success to himself and additional satisfaction to his patrons. The establishment under the new arrangements, is most complete in its character and appointments. It contains and ample suite of reception rooms for ladies and gentlemen which are fitted up in a most tasteful manner, and adorned by a number of most beautiful photographs, bearing evidence of Mr Frews artistic skill, the inspection which will afford much gratification to visitors prior to them entering the large glass studio, access to which is easily gained form these rooms. The studio is one admirably adapted for photographic purposes, and so arranged that portraits can be taken at either end of it, whereby a great advantage is gained in so much as a change in the position of the sitter can be readily attained. The studio possesses a ridged roof, which is recognised by the profession generally as best adapted for taking portraits as it possesses peculiar facilities for securing where requisite, high light and deep shadow. Its capabilities and likewise such as to render the photographing of groups specially successfully, and avoiding the crowding together of figures, so objectionable in a picture. In addition to the conducting of operations in the glass studio Mr Frew is engaged in making arrangements for the taking of family groups in the open air, he possessing excellent facilities in connection with his premises for so doing. He will likewise be enabled at his new establishment to photograph favourite horses and and animals, accommodation being made for their reception at the rear of the premises, but still in connection with the studio. This will obviate the necessity of the camera and other apparatus having to be removed from the establishment a proceeding which is often attended with great inconvenience. Mr Frew may be congratulated on the changes he has made, and the improvements he has affected, and his new establishment - with its increased convenience and accommodation he will be enabled to prosecute with increased vigour and success the photographic art which has now attained to so great perfection.

Day 4 5th July

More photos scanned from the album and added to Flickr

https://www.flickr.com/photos/46013927@N06/albums/72157667844683084

Day 5 6th July

More detail added to Ryton Villa table comparing the three locations. Found another property which is very similar to the one in the photo and in the expected location, but its not actual called Ryton. West Villa, its now called West House. Going through census information to find who occupied this premise. Further investigations required to see if it used to be called Ryton West Villa.

Day 6 7th July

The property that is very similar to that shown in the photo is now named West House.As can been seen from this comparison.

The elongated appearance of the old house may well be a result of the camera/lenses that were used at the time and the chimney stacks have been reduced in height at some point. The similarities are clear to see. Both properties have a lane immediately in front of them, There is a window in the gable end in exactly the same place in both properties. Even the number of stone corbels match and the number and styling of the windows. Both buildings are L shaped and it even looks as though the fall pipe is in the same position. It may just be a coincidence that this property is identical or this property now name West House (stone carving at the side of the door) may have been originally called Ryton West Villa.

An advertisement appeared in the Newcastle Journal 16th April 1864 announcing that a property named 'Ryton West House' was available to let now in the occupation of J B Simpson. Containing eight rooms, two kitchens, small cellar, two pantries, water closet, attic and yard with pump and other conveniences. Apply to Mr Lang, Prudhoe. (Prudoe is a few miles west of Ryton). Another article in the Newcastle Courant 15th April 1864 has John Bell Simpson at West House in Ryton and the heading reads Ryton Woodside, this may have been the name of the local area. He is described here as a colliery owner. John Bell Simpson a coal mining engineer and colliery owner was someone who was already a very important part of the community but would become even more so when he was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1886. His bust is held in the Hatton Gallery, Newcastle University. He moved to Hedgefield House in the mid 1860s, a very impressive building indeed and a sign of his wealth. Hedgefield House may have been the first home in Britain to have a telephone installed and Simpson may have been related by marriage to Alexander Graham Bell. The installation may not have been permanent, however, and could well have been just to test the viability of the system. Further research is required to uncover the truth about this tale. After his wife Annie Elizabeth Thomlinson died in 1882 he remarried in 1886 to Clara Elizabeth Draper who was the widow of Buddle Atkinson, late Royal Artillery, (Morning post 16th Jan 1886) he was connected with Barmoor Castle. Buddle Atkinson's eldest son Frank Buddle Atkinson was a successful candidate for a Cavalry Cadetship at Sandhurst in 1884.

So the question is could the album be connected to John Bell Simpson or some other tenant or owner of Ryton West House(Villa) if indeed this is the house in the photo and it does look like a strong candidate.

Day 8 9th July

The portrait of Dr Arnison could well be of one of the Arnisons from Allendale which was a small lead mining village 32 miles west of Ryton. Since there are a number of Dr Arnisons in this family then it might be difficult even if it is the right family to identify which one of the brothers this is. Although William Christopher Arnison (1837-1899) seemed to have more of a connection with Newcastle and can be found in the 1891 census at 11 Eldon Square, aged 54 and with his wife Kate aged 33 and daughter aged 2.

There were a number of doctors living in Eldon Square at the time. Could this place be significant in bringing doctors/surgeons together in one place and be connected with Newcastle Infirmary. It is stated on this website that a William Arnison was 'elected' in 1865 and that this was Florence Nightingale era. Both the 1871 and 1881 census's show William Arnison to be living in Northumberland Street, Newcastle, again with surgeons and doctors as neighbours. It can be seen from the portrait of Dr Arnison shown above that Bannister & Co who took the photo were based at Ridley Place, Northumberland Street. So could William Christopher Arnison be our man in the photo ? Further research is required on this. See below.

Searched local directories on this site. There is an interesting list of residents of Ryton in the Post Office Directory of 1858. Further research will be needed by inspecting other directories at the local library.

Ryton residents shown in 1858 include Robert Simpson, mining engineer and colliery agent, Moor House. He was John Bell Simpson's father. Also listed is Townely Coal Co, coalowners and coke manufacturers, Robert Simpson agent. There is also a James Lang master of the parish school but no mention of Ryton West Villa or West House.

Day 9 and Day 10

Trawling through the census records for 1861,1871 and 1881 reveals that some houses were mentioned by name but not the one we are looking for, so this is a set back as far as identifying the families that lived there. The census does reveal a significant number of families named Bell amongst this small mining community and does show how the population increased over the decades.

12th July

Looking at later Census information reveals that the house names were mentioned again in 1891 which is probably the best census for checking out all the house names. It shows both Ryton Villa and West House existed at the same time which throws out the theory that West House may have been called Ryton West Villa at some point. But keeping this possibility still at the back of our minds the occupants of Ryton Villa are John and Mary Wake, aged 65 and 66, John Wake's occupation was Gardener, Seedsman and Florist. The occupants of West House were Annie Farrish, widow, aged 51 and her family.

Ryton Villa is listed as being close by Woodbine Terrace which is an offshoot from Barmoor Lane and still exists, and West House is listed between properties simply described as Bar Moor and before Bar Moor House, Bradley Villa and Tweedys Villa. So the next step might be to see if John and Mary Wake appear in the 1881, 1871 and 1861 census. All these properties are located between what is now Barmoor Lane and Main Road within 100 yards of each other.

Searching for John and Mary Wake shows that they lived in Bar Moor in 1881 and 1901 but before that they were in Bridge Hill, Broomhaugh in 1871. Using the wonderful feature of Ancestry which compares family trees with others that are researching the family it is possible to pick up more information on the Wakes and an email to those who have researched the wakes may bring up more information.

14th July

A very interesting reply was received from John on Ancestry whose family had connections with John and Mary Wake. He has kindly given information on a useful website that shows early OS maps of the area and from these it is possible to pinpoint the position of Ryton Villa, however the shape of the property does not really correspond with the current property in the area so this may mean that the original Ryton Villa may have been demolished and another property may have been built on the land and the name Ryton Villa re-used. By comparing three of the OS maps it is clear to see that West House was not built in 1858 but was in existence in 1894, it is also mentioned of course in the 1891 census. It would be useful to know when this property was actually built.

4th August

A Comparison of what is known so far on Ryton Villa and West House

18th August.

It is possible that some of the properties in the area were built by the mining companies to house their workers. Maybe the mining archives have information on these properties. A visit is planned shortly to the local archives and libraries.

19th August

Been in contact by mail with the current occupiers of Ryton Villa and West house and they have both very kindly provided some new information. The identity of the house in the photograph is confirmed as West House, Main Road, Ryton. It is thought that it was built in 1887 as a coin dated 1887 and a seg were found under a cill during a recent renovation. Apparently it was a tradition for the stone mason/builder to leave a dated coin. This of course means there was another house named West House which was certainly in existence in 1864 and was occupied for a short time by John Bell Simpson. It would be interesting to find out where this was but it is not relevant to the search for the family who had a connection with the West House built in 1887 and possibly the album. Information has also been given in relation to Ryton Villa which was built in 1825 which was and still is a single storey dwelling originally built as a farm labourer's cottage.

Two new names have been mentioned in relation to the occupancy of West House, these are Mary Scholefield who occupied the house in 1904 and Leonard Appleton Robinson who bought the house from Mary Scholefield in 1904 and sold it to the Stella Coal Company in 1910, ironically to John Bell Simpson and Frank Buddle Atkinson who among others who were the owners of the coal company. Although it was sold in 1910 Mr Robinson is still shown in the 1911 census living there so it must be assumed that there was an agreement for him to stay on for a while longer. Further research will be required to see if these are possibly the families who were connected with the album.

21st August

Leonard Appleton Robinson's (1847 - 1918) occupation was a Traveller for Brewers he moved from Elswick to Ryton sometime between 1881 and 1891 when he is shown living at No 19 Marys Terrace. The 1901 census simply shows his address as Bar Moor but as we know from the information above he was at West House by 1904. A newspaper report from 1916 refers to him as being licencee at the Black Swan Inn in Gateshead. He had married three times his first two partners were Margaret Ann Goldsborough (m 1873) and Isabella Snowball (m 1889 previously married to John Pawson) His last marriage was to Ethel Gray, 27 years his younger, by whom he had two children May Robinson b 1908 and Tom Leonard Robinson b 1910

25th August

The Royal Photographic Societies Photo Historian supplement listing Newcastle, Gateshead and Sunderland photographers (1873 - 1920) arrived some weeks ago. Through this it is possible to put some dates against the photographs. Unfortunately only a few of the photographers whose photos feature in the album appear in this listing as some were produced before 1870 and others maybe fall just outside this area for example North/South Shields and Jarrow. The dates for the remaining photos will have to be found from local directories and the Newspaper archives. By dating the photos along with the location of the photographers studios it might be possible to connect these to a specific family. Details have been added alongside the photos themselves, see above.

26th August

After a visit to Gilsland Spa and a chat with a very helpful gardener it can be confirmed that the photos shown above of what was thought to be Gilsland Spa is confirmed as actually being Gilsland Spa although during the 1860s/70s it was actually called The Shaws Hotel. A building had stood on the site for many years but burnt down in 1859. It was rebuilt shortly afterwards. Today the doorway and columns are no longer part of the building as they were removed during recent renovations and this has resulted in the building loosing some of its charm. The hotel commands a magnificent view over the valley down which the river Irthing winds its way through the countryside. On the river bank close by Gilsland Spa is an unusually shaped stone which has been named The Popping Stone. It is said that Walter Scott (later Sir Walter Scott) popped the question to Catherine Carpentier on that very spot.The beautiful views, the romantic tale of the popping stone, the spa water, the Roman walls close by and the attractions put on by the hotel made it a place to go see and the railway was the means to get there. The station at Gilsland was at the time named Rose Hill and an omnibus would meet each train as it arrived from Newcastle or Carlisle to take visitors up to the hotel. The remoteness of the place would not always play to its advantage of course. When the old hotel caught fire in 1859 it was quite some time before an appliance could get there and help.

It was about 2 o'clock on Saturday when a servant girl saw the smoke and fire and the alarm was raised. Information was sent to Carlisle but it was 4 O'clock before the police received the message. Mr Bent and Sergeants Barnfather and Anderson immediately yoked No2 fire engine and went with it by special train The engine arrived at Rose Hill in 25 minutes. Two horses had been sent on the train so as to pull the engine up the hill to the hotel. When the police got to the hotel the whole of the hotel with the exception of the hall was in flames. (Ref Newcastle Guardian and Tyne Mercury 3rd Sept 1859)

And so the old hotel had to be rebuilt and became the building which we can see in the photograph above.

30th August

Annie Farish and family

The 1891 Census shows Annie Farish, widow aged 51, and her family living at West House, Ryton. We can be sure its the right West house as it is listed between Bar Moor and Tweedys Villas. Annie was born in Shadforth near Durham. With her at West House were her daughters Annie (20 no occupation shown) and Bertha (13 scholar) and sons Edward (19 Bank Clerk), Marshall (17 Clerk - hard to read but maybe land agents clerk), Christopher (16 Clerk) and Thomas (15 Scholar). Also with them was a servant girl Christiana aged 22. The children had been born at Brampton, Cumberland. Annies husband was Thomas Farish (1840-1877). In 1871 the family were living at Brampton with Thomas's occupation being shown as Draper, he had been born in Brampton. They had working for them a servant girl and nursemaid. Thomas's father Isaac Farish (1809-1886) was from Scotland he was also a draper and a land owner. Brampton is 8 miles from Gilsland and 2 miles from a place named Hayton but we must resist reading too much into that. If West House was built in 1887 then the Farish family may well have been the first occupants.

3rd Sept

Annie Farish's maiden name was Stephenson and she was the daughter of Marshall Stephenson (1803-1874) and Jane Snowball (1808-1886). Annie had a number of brothers and sisters who we will look at later and these may be of interest in the search as they had links to North Shields and York.

Annie and Thomas Farish's children as already mentioned were Annie, Bertha, Edward, Marshall, Christopher and Thomas. What is unusual is that the boys all had the same middle name and the girls all had the same middle name. The boys middle names were Stephenson and the girls Ovington, this makes them slightly easier to trace. Although the origin of the Stephenson name is obvious where the Ovington name came from is not clear at this stage. By 1901 the family had moved from West House to Ascog House, Ryton. Shortly afterwards Annie's family started to leave home. Christopher married Helen Attwater in 1904 and Edward married Ethel possibly Gardiner in 1908. Records show that there was a Marshall S Farish from Newcastle who took the Coronia from Liverpool which arrived in New York on Christmas Eve 1905. The shipping information suggests that he was to meet or work for a man named Benson of The Little Missouri Horse Company, North Dakota. He went on to marry a Maria Wiens on the 23rd May 1906 in Forsyth, Rosebud, Montana.(Adjoining State) (Ref Marriage licence) She was born in Cottonwood, Minnesota her father John may have been Russian and a farmer who had settled in Cottonwood. Thomas Stephenson Farish also took a trip to New York on the Coronia in 1912 (Ref New York passenger records) but Thomas returned to England.

William Hayton Dawson

As one of only two people who are named in the album it is important to understand who William Hayton Dawson was, where he lived, and worked, and once as much information as possible has been gathered then to try to asses if he has a direct connection with the family whose album it was. By tracing his family tree, initially through Ancestry, the internet and the British Newspaper Archives it is possible to get an brief overview of his life and work and just as importantly where he lived.

William was born in 1857 in Dudley Northumberland, his father was John Dawson (1830-1861) a surgeon by all accounts and his mother was Jane Kirkup (1830-1913) The first census he appears on is the 1861 census when he was living with James and Mary Kirkup (nee Howey), his mothers parents, and with Mary Ann Kirkup his aunt.The address was Brick Row, Seaton Delavel which is north of Newcastle towards the coast. By 1871 he was still with his, now ageing, and widowed grandmother Mary, aged 65 and she is listed as a seamstress, William was fourteen years of age. Mary Ann had left the residence when she married William Allen in 1863.

On the 6th December 1879 William now twenty two married to Elizabeth (Bessie) Ellen Piper. Elizabeth's father Robert was a miner and William's occupation is now described as an Engine Fitter. (Ref Andrews Newspaper index cards via Ancestry)

The first photo of William Hayton Dawson in the album, shown left, was taken in Jarrow which is south of the river and is nine miles away from Seaton Delaval and four miles from South Shields. He may have been with his parents at this stage or with his grandparents.

A more detailed look at the 1861 census reveals that his father was indeed a surgeon practising at Hawes (81 miles away from Seaton Delavel) and was being assisted by Jane's brother John Kirkup.

William's father and John Kirkup appear in the 1861 census at Hawes, whilst William, as already been mentioned, was with his maternal grandmother at Seaton Delaval. The reason for this separation between the child and his mother and father is not known.

William's father John Dawson is shown in the 1861 to have the following letters after his name M.R.CS Eng which looks like it may well mean he was a member of the Royal College of Surgeons specialising in dentistry. In fact this newspaper announcement in the Yorkshire Gazette dated 19th March 1859 confirms this. Tragically John Dawson died suddenly whilst in Liverpool on the 28th May 1861, aged just 31 and only four years after he got married.(Ref Kendal Mercury 8th June 1861). William Hayon Dawson was their only child.

So to summarise the situation we have in 1861, James and Mary Kirkup were looking after their grandson William Hayton Dawson in Seaton Delavel. The father John Dawson, surgeon was with his wife Jane Kirkup living in Hawes along with Jane's brother John Kirkup, assistant surgeon. But this all changed when John Dawson died suddenly in 1861 and sometime later Jane Kirkup moved back to Seaton, certainly by 1881, when she appears in the census there.

A newspaper report from the Newcastle Courant 12th Dec 1873 refers to John Kirkup assistant surgeon working for Dr Philip Brown of Blaydon for at least the last three years so he must have lived in the area during this period. So he must have moved from Hawes in the late 1860s or very early 1870s to live in the Ryton area, perhaps to take up the position with Dr Brown.

By 1881 John Kirkup, assistant surgeon was married to Jane Annie Morrow and was living at No4 Ashfield Terrace, Ryton, in fact just around the corner from where Ryton Library is today. Ten years earlier she was living with her mother Ann Morrow in Barmoor, Ryton, although the details of her address are not stated. So this is the first connection that has been found between William Hayton Dawson and Ryton. Could the Dawson/Kirkup/Morrow family be the ones that the album belonged to? It is also interesting that Dr Arnison is named in the album could there be a connection here with Kirkup?

11th September

Jane Morrow had two brothers one was William Morrow and the other John Morrow. The probate information reveals that William died on 19th November 1885 at The Cross. The Cross was in fact The Cross Inn, Ryton. He left his personal estate of £ 148 4s 4d to Jane Ann Morrow, wife of John Kirkup of West Villa, Ryton !!!

And so the connection between William Hayton Dawson and West Villa/House is proved via John and Jane Ann Kirkup and we can be sure as we are ever going to be that the album belonged to this family, most likely John and Jane Ann Kirkup who lived in the house in 1885. The census information however shows that they had moved out of the house by 1891 when the Farish family were living there. The only bit of conflicting information is the dated coin which was found under the cill in the house and is dated 1887. Perhaps an explanation for this difference in dates will come to light in due course.

If the album was put together in 1870 or thereabouts then this could well coincide with the time when John Kirkup moved to Ryton and married Jane Ann Morrow. But the exact date when West House was built is still a mystery. The research has been made more difficult because of the way the words Villa and House have been used and I have come to the conclusion that these words were interchangeable with sometimes a house being referred to as 'House' and other times 'Villa' . Another press cutting perhaps confirms that this was the case and puts the house even earlier than 1885

On the 1st September 1882 the Newcastle Courant reported on the 26th Ryton Floral and Horticultural show. The results of the competitions were announced. Mr T Dunn, gardener for Mr J Havelock, Barmoor House won a prize and Mr J Kircup of West House, Ryton won a prize for his eggs. So we see here that the house was being referred to as West House and yet three years later in the probate of William Morrow is was being referred to as West Villa, Ryton, the same as is written on the back of the photos. Clearly John Kirkup was resident in both cases so it must be the same house.

So now we have to discover if there a connection between John Dawson surgeon or John Kirkup assistant surgeon with Dr Arnison?

Dr Arnison and family.

Research into the Arnison family reveals that there were no fewer than seven members of the family who were surgeons/general practitioners. These were Christopher Arnison 1770-1814 and his three sons William Campbell Arnison 1797-1883, George Arnison 1804-1866 and Charles Arnison 1809-1892. Following William Campbell Arnison there were his two sons George Arnison 1830-1904 and William Christopher Arnison 1837-1899 and also George Arnison's Jnr's son William Drewett Arnison 1865-1950.

Going back even further in the family tree Christopher Arnison had married Isabella Brumwell. She was the daughter of John Brumwell a Surgeon at Alston.

It turns out that two of the Arnisons were involved in the Newcastle Infirmary and in the case of William the Durham University medical school. William Christopher Arnison being appointed Professor of Surgery 1892-1899 (Ref Durham University Calander ) He had been the last apprentice to be articled to the house surgeon at the Infirmary in 1854 and became one of the Honorary Surgeons to the Infirmary 1867 - 1897 (Ref The History of Newcastle Infirmary )

Looking at the portrait and the ages of the different Arnisons might just give us an indication as to which one it was. As previously stated Bannister & Co the photographer were advertising from Ridley Place/ Northumberland Street certainly between 1866 to 1867 and possibly a bit later. The RPS Supplement listing the photographers from 1872 says that Bannister was at Derwent Place from 1873-1874 and then Portland Place 1875-1876. So let us assume the photo was taken around 1867.

In 1867 the ages of the seven Arnisons were as follows.

Christopher died in 1814

William Campbell Arnison aged 69

George Arnison Died in 1866, would have been 63

Charles Arnison aged 58

George Arnison aged 37

William Christopher Arnison aged 30 (Had a connection with Newcastle Infirmary and Durham University)

William Drewett Arnison aged 2 (Had a connection with Newcastle Infirmary)

So the most likely candidates are George Arnison (b1830) aged 37 and William Christopher Arnison. aged 30. George appears in every census living and working in Allendale whereas William is shown to be living in the same street as the photographer in Newcastle in 1871 and 1881. It looks very likely therefore that this is William Christopher Arnison but will have to be confirmed by further evidence. Perhaps an enquiry to Durham University where he became a professor of surgery might reveal a portrait.

The old six bedroom home of the Arnisons in Allendale, now a magnificent grade 2 listed building and in a street now named Arnison Terrace recently came up for sale and can be seen here.

3rd October 2016

Mystery photo from Denmark.

One photo which appears in the album and has not been been mentioned yet was a bit of a puzzle until two days ago. It was completely out of sync with all the other photos and its deliberately not been mentioned as there was no apparent explanation for its presence. What happened two days ago was that an identical photo was found at an antiques fair. Quite a lucky find. So what could be the explanation for this?. The first thought that came to mind was that it was a photo of someone famous and was a so called celebrity carte de visite. In the early 1860s an album of the Royal Family was produced and photos started to appear of famous celebrities such as Dickens, Florence Nightingale, and various members of the Royal Family. Adding these to family photo albums was quite common. It didn't mean that the family were connected to these people of course, the photos might have been just beautiful portraits that they wanted to keep or they may have had some significant meaning to the family. When we think about the celebrity status of Princess Diana then we might be able to understand this better. Well the Princess Diana of the day could well have been Princess Alexander of Denmark and it turns out that these photos are of her. The Victoria and Albert museum have a copy of the portrait which is by Rudolph Striegler and have dated it 1862. The finish on the photograph is quite unusual, the photographer used what looks like some sort of varnish and with age this has cracked to various degrees in each of the three examples. In fact the one in the album looks like it has survived rather better than the V and A example.

The search now continues for the descendants of the family.

If you have any information that would be useful in this search then do please contact me on stpud2011 at gmail.com.

Thanks. Steve