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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: snuttall on Saturday 14 October 17 13:13 BST (UK)
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This is a photo of my relative James Rawstron, from Haslingden, Lancashire, born 1834. He died aged 41 in 1875 so combining that with his age in the photo, I'd say it was near to that date.
What I'd like to know more about is the clothing which seems unusual. James was a cotton weaver on every census and the photo seems quite specialist/formal.
Is this his own clothing, do you think, or something provided by the studio for the photograph? Does it have any meaning?
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Have reposted the pic which doesn't appear to show in snuttall's post. Edit: oh, now it's there. Oh well...
Snuttall, I think he is wearing a yeomanry uniform. Volunteer reserve cavalry. Think "Dad's Army" on horseback circa 1870s.
Cheers, Peter.
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Though might show more but.....
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I agree with 1870s
Carol
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I don`t know anything about yeomanry uniforms but before I saw the posts I wondered if he was in a Brass Band?
Haslingden would have a band surely, most mill towns did. There will be records surely if there was a band,of members` names etc.
But usually people would be photographed with the instrument they played.
Viktoria.
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Can't read it but I wonder if something is written on his hat like with sailors when they have HMS whatever.
Checking for his name in newspapers might yield a snippet.
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Yes ,I noticed that but could not make out anything.
To be a little unkind, there are no badges and he does not look as smart as you would expect a soldier to be.
.Viktoria.
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My immediate thought was "brass band".
There's a brass band website (see below) and you'll see from the linked page it goes back to the 1800s, gives lists of local Lancashire brass bands and also competition venues....
additionally there's a Tab" which leads to an alphabtical list of people. With a bit of luck your man could be listed.
https://brassbandresults.co.uk/contests/accrington-contest/1865-04-07/
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I've had a look on the website and saw there are two people with the same surname but the wrong century.
Here's another webpage showing a Lancashire yeoman uniform - there's not much difference between an SNCO's pillbox hat and a member of a band's pillbox hat.
http://www.uniformology.com/YEOMANRY-05.html
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Might have cheated a bit here. :)
Cheers, Peter.
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If he was Yeomanry would he have owned a horse? Would he have been expected to be an experienced rider before he joined? If "Yes" to both questions, does this fit known profile of James Rawstron?
Another thought I had was that the uniform belonged to the photographer; it was a costume.
Was his footwear correct for Yeomanry?
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In 1871 his occupation was listed as a Cotton Weaver, as this photo is early/mid 1870s and he died in 1875....I too believe the uniform is that of a bandsman.
https://musicmcrww1.wordpress.com/2016/04/29/introduction-to-brass-bands-in-and-around-manchester-pre-1914/
Carol
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I wonder if your James has a relation (a son possibly maybe) by the name of John Thomas?
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Hello Grameka
I am looking for a James Rawstron married to Mary with a son John Thomas born 1865 Haslingden