RootsChat.Com
Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => East Lothian (Haddingtonshire) => Topic started by: Mr.S. on Saturday 08 February 14 15:43 GMT (UK)
-
Some old photos in collection feature this background but don't know the town/buildings.
-
Is the background exactly the same in each photo?
I was wondering if there are slightly different views it might be a good idea to post them as well (maybe showing more of some of the buildings if you have any with people standing in different places) - depending on how many you have and what they show, someone may be able to join them together into a panorama.
Also, this is a little out of focus - do you have any sharper images?
-
Photo was probably taken in late 1930s using a Kodak brownie camere,bellows type;depth of field would not be very good .Enclosing anothe photo taken that day.
-
Hi Mr.S.,
Why do you think the photographs are from East Lothian,?
The building in the 2nd photograph is quite grand, and there seems to be an entrance with "GI...." above the door. Could this be a Girls entrance, could it be a school, swimming baths etc.
Do you have names for the persons photographed?
Tom
-
Hi Mr.S.,
Why do you think the photographs are from East Lothian,?
I was wondering the same ....
Is that a phone box in second photo? Not much to go on really. Large building with lower floor with arched windows is quite distinctive though. (but of course it may no longer be standing)
-
Hi Ruskie,
Yes, it is a phone box, I also notice a flag pole, although no flag flying, so maybe a government building. I was thinking of Court House in Haddington, but not too sure. The young man in the first photograph, looks like an old friend of mine from the 60's Gordon Donaldson, but I think this is late 40's early 50's.
Tom
PS It is not the Court House in Haddington, as the Corn Exchange is next door, and it has brick built gable end. No chimneys like first picture.
-
Hello again,there is a telephone box in picture and possibly a bus stop next to it.The pictures are not after WW2.The person in first photo is a Donaldson but Jimmy.I think his father ,Rab Donaldson,is in the second photo.
camera was a Coronet,6x9 cm.,British made.
My wife and I came across a large number of negatives in a box, when clearing out a house and I got a friend to scan them to a DVD.Some were too badly damaged.
-
Could it be a Railway Station?...Looks like the doorway with a sign saying "Gents" to the right of the photo.
Carol
-
Hi Mr.S.,
Sorry to ask again, why East Lothian, where was the Donaldson house about, that you found the photographs. The Gordon Donaldson I knew came from Port Seton, but we do not have that type of building there. Do you have anymore information to help us. Intrigued now.
Tom
-
It was not a Donaldson but a relative who lived in falkirk area who had the photos.Donaldson family may have lived in Prestonpans.I am not a relative although connected to the relative who lived in falkirk
-
Hi ,
I know I'm going to be very wrong :-[
And it's not even the right coast...but I thought the building looked like Ayr Sherrif Courthouse which sits down near Ayr promenade - http://www.flickr.com/photos/netnicholls/11587967494/in/photostream/
I wait to be bombed out ;D
Looby :)
-
Hi Mr.S.,
Thanks for that, I was just wondering why it was posted in East Lothian. My friend was the image of the one in first photograph. He maybe a relative, giving that he was born in Port Seton next door to Prestonpans. I am not sure that the building is in East Lothian, but maybe some other rootschatters can tell me different.
Tom
-
Hi ,
I know I'm going to be very wrong :-[
And it's not even the right coast...but I thought the building looked like Ayr Sherrif Courthouse which sits down near Ayr promenade - http://www.flickr.com/photos/netnicholls/11587967494/in/photostream/
I wait to be bombed out ;D
Looby :)
Certainly looks like it to me. I assume the possible Gents must be a one storey building in front.
Jan ;)
-
Hi Looby,
That does seem to be the building, what a shout. Sometimes fishermen from Cockenzie & Port Seton used to fish from Ayr at certain times of the year. I wonder if one of the Donaldson's got married in Ayr.
Tom
-
I thought it looked like Ayr but was a bit unsure. There are gardens in front of the building leading down to the promenade. I've been looking at Google Street View at the houses on Bath Place which sits to the left of the building (if you stand with your back to the sea). One of the houses looks very like the house in photo one to the left of the man- even down to the rack of 9 chimney pots.
But I'm no expert with old photos.
Looby :)
-
Certainly looks like it to me. I assume the possible Gents must be a one storey building in front.
Jan ;)
Hi janan,
I am wondering if the "Gents" was a portable ice-cream van "Girardelli" or similar, parked in front of the court house, it was a right tourist place at the weekend.
Tom
-
Certainly looks like it to me. I assume the possible Gents must be a one storey building in front.
Jan ;)
Hi janan,
I am wondering if the "Gents" was a portable ice-cream van "Girardelli" or similar, parked in front of the court house, it was a right tourist place at the weekend.
Tom
Could well be :)
-
Unsurprisingly there is no phone box today and I wouldn't know if there ever was one.
An ice cream van would make more sense than toilets. Ayr Pavilion which I believe had public toilets is just a stone's throw away. :)
-
Thanks for your help ,I tend to agree that the town is Ayr;found that a photo taken 3 years ago in Ayr had part of what looks like that building in background.Actually had b and b near it.
-
The brickwork chimney stack on the building to the left rear looks Elizabethan. Not common in Scotland.
The phone box in the second picture looks surprisingly light-coloured for GPO Red. Is it possible this is Kingston-Upon-Hull, where the boxes are yellow?
Hibee
-
Still think it looks like Ayr, Hibee.
There is a house, with the row of nine chimneys, still standing on the street adjacent to the Ayr County Building, Sheriff Court. You can see it on Google Streetview. :)
-
Hi Looby,
I agree with you, even the flagpole is in same place. The phone box is not there, I think it was red anyway, the sunny day makes it lighter, I think.
Tom
-
Excellent find Looby!!!
-
Taken in 2012.Had to crop photo but close-up of building in Ayr.
-
Hi Mr S
100% with Loobylooayr. Definitely the north end of the west elevation of the former Ayr County Buildings, looking towards Bath Place.
Regards
Istrice