This photograph was in my mother's collection. All the other photos were carefully named but this one had a question mark by it. "Who's he?" I said. "I don't know who the old boy is", she replied, "nan couldn't remember either, some relative of Tom's (my grandather)".
I know my grandfather's family were originally from Merthyr Tydfil, in South Wales and the family names were Price and Welch. That's all I know.
The photograph was taken at The Penton Studio in Pentonville Road and I have been able to locate some in a similar style here. They would suggest a date of between 1895 and 1903 and a photographer called Wilhlem Goebellhof.
20 comments:
A Certain Irony Here, Such A Striking Looking Gent Who Must Have A Had A Million Stories To Tell.
An interesting photograph, and a nice little mystery for you to solve. I'm guessing he was in his 70s or 80s at the time, and therefore perhaps born c.181-1830. You need to research your grandfather's parentage, and look for a man born around that period.
My sister and I were just going through some family photos and kept coming up with ones that we had no idea who the people were. It's so frustrating. Looks like you've got some good hints and Brett has given you some more. Good luck with finding out.
Nancy
I like looking at the interesting backs like on the ones shown in the link.
What a great old photo! I hope that you eventually figure out who he is.
Kathy M.
How frustrating it is to have such an unidentified photograph in a family collection, as you feel it msut have meant something to someone at sometime to have survived to long. I hope you are able to solve the mystery. It took me 10 years to get an answer to a mystery photo in my collection - thanks to my blog. .
A really great photo. I'm in my 70s but don't photograph like that. Hope you manage to trace who it is.
A lovely cabinet photo. I know how frustrating an unidentified treasure like this is!
One of my blogging friends suggested I visit genealogy boards (in particular place names and surname boards) and post a link to my blog inviting people to see if the picture is of someone they know.
This gentleman epitomizes gravitas and has a very distinctive face. I wonder why they posed him in outdoor clothing?
I agree with Brett, look at the census returns, and for someone born in Wales and later moved to London. You'll never be exactly sure but you may be able to find some candidates
What a great photo! I love the old chair too.
I can't tell you why (no logical reason)but I get the feeling that this man was a mariner and very wise.
I love the old chair too.
The chair is great. His eyes... Hope you find out who he is. It would only take a couple of days totally devoted to following censuses and family trees.
He does look as though he has many a story to tell. Good luck!
Good luck with that.He's a gentleman with a characterful face for sure.
Most likely a struggle for him to get to the studio as he seems to be arthritic. Was it his choice or a relative pushing him to get his portrait taken? If he smiled how many teeth were missing? A kindly soul who could still probably shake that cane at a young miss that passed by.
A face full of character and a hand so used to a lifetime of work that it can't keep still for the pose.
Fat Cat banker, by the look of that coat, although the cap doesn't click with the rest of the schmutter.
Thanks for the link to the other sides, they are remarkable! Great post!
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