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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: toby webb on Thursday 05 July 18 12:20 BST (UK)
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I am trying to find out more about the attached carte de visite and would be pleased for any help. Thanks, Toby.
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Western Times 03 June 1870
W. Croft of Torquay was awarded a silver medal for a photograph portrait
J
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1871 -
William Croft 37 Artistic Photographer
Harriet Croft 26
Harriett Croft 9
Jennie Croft 3
Annie Croft 1
Mary Ann Jenkins 17
RG10 Piece 2086 Folio 72 Page 39, Union Street, Torquay
By 1881 William Croft was an 'Artist Painting' living in Lewisham.
Hopefully that will give you an indication as to what era the photograph is from.
JJ
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William's daughter Harriett was born 1862, Sydney, Australia. Therefore William and his wife Harriett spent sometime in Australia. Not found when they came back yet but their daughter Jennie was born c.1868, Torquay, so they were back for then.
Newspaper articles in the 1870's make reference to a Mr Croft's Australian photographs.
Have not found the Crofts on the 1861 in Torquay, so perhaps they were in Australia at that time.
JJ
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Thanks JJen for your useful comments. I too have not found W Croft in 1861 but perhaps someone in the southern hemi. may be able to help. Maybe Sydney Directories. Some refining of " newspaper articles" would also be most welcome. T
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A quick retouch of the photo.
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Torquay Times, and South Devon Advertiser 31 January 1874
Advert for Mr W Croft, 3 Union Street & 57 Abbey Road. Established 1866
JJ
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Totnes Weekly Times 04 June 1870
Art and Industrial Exhibition at Newton Abbot
Mr Croft of Torquay, contributed some clever views taken in Australia.
JJ
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Harriet Croft
Baptism -
Birth Date - 23 Feb 1862
Baptism Date - 30 Mar 1862
Baptism Place: Surry Hills, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Father - William Croft, Photographer
Mother - Harriet Croft
Abode - South Head Road
JJ
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Another baptism -
Elizabeth Croft
Birth Date - 6 May 1865
Baptism - 4 Jun 1865, St Michaels Surrey Hills, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Father - William Croft, Photographer
Mother - Harriet Croft
Abode - South Head Road.
So the Crofts were still in Australia in 1865.
JJ
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There was quite a gap between the first born in Sydney in 1862 and those born in Torquay in 1868 & 1870. Guess some didn't make it. T
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I have just noticed an article in this section of RootsChat started by Robin Clay and added to by JDJames89. I have measured the carte and it is 0.025 inches thick, is dirty white with sharp corners.
The conclusion from the above seems to be 1869 - 1871. T
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As you've probably guessed this is early-mid 1870's.
Quite an interesting setting.Not sure if it's a real building or manufactured (the ivy & grapes certainly look like add-ons) but built outside as there's no shadow on their faces.
Maybe a picture submitted to an exhibition so could be the Croft's themselves but that's just a guess on my part.
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Very many thanks for all the contributions made inc. the upgrading.
Judging from the known provenance of this card, my best view is that the couple are Samuel & Annie Foss which doesn't fit entirely with the previous discussions for Samuel was living in California in 1870 and didn't return to England until late 1873. They married in January 1876 and Torquay would have been a place for a cheap honeymoon for his brother also had a business in Union Street.
Presumably a photographic studio would buy bespoke printed cards in bulk and these might last for several years. They would be in no hurry to replace their cards with the latest style when they were on the point of moving to Lewisham.
I feel the balance is in favour of Samuel & Annie .
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William Croft was my wife’s 2nd great grandfather (She is descended from his daughter, Jennie). Information about William’s journey to New Zealand & Australia is recorded in a family bible.
William Croft left England with his wife and their first four children, aboard the "Jura" in October 1859 and arrived in Auckland, New Zealand on January the 16th 1860. They left New Zealand the same year on the 5th of December and went to Sydney, Australia where their next two children were born. Then in 1865, three years before Jennie was born, the family returned to England on the "Jason".
While travelling home aboard the "Jason" William wrote the following
poem.
THE VOYAGE OF LIFE - "OUR CAPTAIN IS AT THE HELM"
In storms and tempests, which may fall,
Upon our Barque, so great or small,
We ne'er should fear they will o'erwelm,
While Christ our Captain guides the helm.
Then in our Captain I'll confide,
Whose skill has never been decried
When o'er the ship distress has seen
A quick deliverer he has been
Our Captain - Father he will guide
The ship and crew, if sorely tried,
When in perplexity He will
For them appear' and guide them still.
O for more confidence and zeal,
Determination to fulfill
What e'er our Captain may decree,
Or may appoint for you and me.
Our Captain's at the Helm and he
Will guide us o'er lifes troubled sea,
And we should on his skill rely,
To trust him when the danger's nigh.
Why should we fear, He guides the ship,
His voice, is heard, the winds t' outstrip,
Tho' waves may beat, and storms may roar
In Him I trust till the storm is o'er.
Our Captain knows the fears we have
And can out stretch his arm to save,
If troubled seas surround the barque,
He'll guide the helm, their force to thwart.
For while my Captain's at the Helm,
Storms may come, but can't o'erwhelm
I, all my earthly hopes will leave,
And closely to my Saviour cleave.
Tho' Storms with violence assail,
They cannot o'er the ship prevail,
Our Captain's with us at the Helm!
They cannot therefore us o'erwhelm.
Trials, afflictions, troubles, may
Surround this voyage, from day to day
Great dangers too, may be my lot,
If Christ is mine I'll murmer not.
The voyage I will to Him commit,
Who while the gale, he does permit;
Will consolation grant to me
In trouble, and perplexity.
May I contented ever be,
If I, His great salvation see.
My Captain's at the Helm, and I
Will ever on his skill rely.