Im a researcher and writer of articles and books about the history of Tunbridge Wells Kent and can add some information about G. Brown & Son.
I have a CDV showing an image of a man and women noted on bottom by G. Brown & Son High Street, Tunbridge Wells and Broad Street, Deal. Not sure when taken as G. Brown & Son don't appear in any local directories for 1867,1874,1882,1899,1903 but were most likely in T.Wells in the 1880's.
A list of photographer operating in 1885 gave George Brown & Son 7 Broad Street, Deal but not listing of them in their other studios in Tunbridge Wells or Ramsgate.
I noticed that in the 1891 census at Deal that George Brown was a photographer and that his son William James Brown was assisting in the business.So I believe the beginning of the use of the name G. Brown & Son pertained to George senior and his son William and not his younger son George Charles.
I did note that George Charles Brown married 4th qtr 1888 in Deal Mary Elizabeth Kemp and that in the 1891 census he was at 36 High St, Margate as a photographer employer with his wife Mary Elizabeth; two of their children and his mother in law Sophia Kemp. The 1901 census had George Charles Brown as a photographer at 36 High St. Ramsgate. With him was his wife Mary Elizabeth and two children Reginald and Dorothy. The 1911 census had George Charles Kent as a photographer at 35 High St, Ramsgate with wife Mary Elizabeth (assisting in business)and son Reginald Charles anda nephew Arthur Robert Brown born 1901 in Margate. George Charles Brown died according to probate records Nov. 7,1934 at the Plaza Cinema in Deal. His wife Mary Elizabeth was the executor. Probate records for Mary Elizabeth Brown gave her as a widow when she died October 8,1951 at the Lumeah Nursing Home in Deal,. Her son Reginald Charles Brown was the executor.
I have not been able to find a marriage record of George Brown to Mary Alice. Census records gave her born 1845 in Saltwood, Kent. The 1911 census gave George Brown, born 1843 Woodchurch, Ketn a photographer employer. With him was his wife Mary Alice Brown. The census noted they were married 47 years (1864) and had 9 children but only six living. Can someone fine the marriage record for George and his wife please?
Im still trying to find out who George's parents and siblings were-anyone know. Cant find a 1861 census for him. Did find a 1851 census for George given as born 1843 in Woodchurch living at Warerhorne,Kent in East Ashford with parents James Brown (1816-1899) a barn thatcher, and his wife Celia (given as Selah)who was Celia Swaffer (1823-1901) born in Woodchurch. Not sure if this is the right George Brown however. If a marriage record for him can be found perhaps it will confirm who his father was.
Im also looking for a photo "of" not "by" George Brown and any of his family members. Can anyone help with this as I noted in other replies that one of you is a grandchild of George.
