David Colbron Man of Mystery

[SquireofHistory]

Dear Craig,

I'm afraid I don't know anything of your Graddad. But the 'Evening Follies' photo is fantastic!

The girl in the 2nd row, 2nd from right, is my Great-Grandmother. At that time her name was Jenny Spowart (she married George Grant in 1939).

I knew her very well, she used to talk about dancing. Her and Betty Walker (2nd row, 3rd from left) were 'Trix & Topse the tip top tappers'. She would have been about 15 or 16 in this photo, she used to do wee tap dancing steps when she was in her 80s. She passed in 2008 at the age of 87.

I wish I could've showed her the photo - she probably would have remembered everyone in it.

Betty Died very young - about ten years after this photo. My Granny (Jenny's daughter) remembers going to see her at her house in the Grassmarket when she was unwell).

As you can see from the photos I have posted, the man playing the piano is top left in your photo.

Hope you find this interesting

All the best,
Joe

[Templar75]

Hi Craig,

             this is a longshot but try and phone or write to the Grand Lodge of Edinburgh ( Freemasons ) if he was one they might have his records.

Cheers.

Archie.

[Craig Semplis]

Hi Jacmacam, first sorry for taking soo long to reply I've the email response, the big trouble about my Grandad is although I know he had sisters even my mum knows little about any of Grandad's family names or anything. I know one lived in Wandsworth SW London during the war as he visited when he had free time from Chatham as I have a few tickets he bought at the time but for the rest of his family we know nothing and I guess they would have remarried and some how they became estranged from each other. I do this not just for myself but to fill some gaps for my mum and my sister who also would like to know another side of the family but we're both NOT exactly 100% very good with computer intweb stuff. Your info has been welcome and ur right about the name of the street. My Auntie says there is a small industrial park there now where there used to be the house, such is progress. Again thankyou so much for the trouble you went to in replying regards Craig Semplis.

[Craig Semplis]

WOW JOE you are a God send, to finally find someone who has a tangible link and name's and aphoto to boot. I don't know if you have read some of the other reply's after I posted the picture about them being a travelling troupe but the leads never went any where as far as finding the other members names or how they met, where they went. I always thought there must be 15 other families with the same photo, but thought the War had changed everything. Forgotten people, places and the like. Sometimes I have thought whether The Scotsman or other Edinburgh newspaper's would run the story, but I guess its hardly front page news is it?? The only problem is the photos are a bit oversized for the page and need to be cropped into web size images. I hope in the future to be able to fill all the names in and gather a few stories along the way - (Good or Bad) a bit like 'Who do you think you are) If you ever think of anything else please feel free to add on and maybe we can enrich our familes history all with the missin other members. Regards Craig Semplis.

[SquireofHistory]

Hi Craig.
You are as much a Godsend to me as I am to you. I have searched before for info about the 'Evening Follies' but with no joy. I actually don't have a copy of your photo, so it is amazing to see! I will try and pick my Granny's brains about the evening follies. Somehow I doubt they were a travelling group - but I don't know.
Hopefully it may be newspaper-worthy if we can find out a wee bit more. I'll try and do a bit more research and let you know if I find anything.
Best Regards, Joe

[Craig Semplis]

Hi Joe, the only reason I thought they may have travelled is because of my grandad's strange disappearance BUT also it has too be remembered people left school at about 14/15 and being the 30's money was in short supply for joe bloggs, I've looked at the costume's their appear mostly home made which may have been fine for pubs or local music halls. It never fails to amaze me a troupe of such a number can vanish almost with out trace. Maybe seeing the photo would jog ur grannies memory. ttfn Craig The file size is too big for this page don't know how to send the group pic to u regards Craig.

[SquireofHistory]

Hi Craig,

Sorry for such a late reply. I have spoken to my Granny, she really doesn't think that they were a travelling group, as her mother had never really travelled that far from home (that she knows of).
I have had a thought though, I could e-mail the person who runs the 'edinphoto' website and ask him if he could post your photo and my two - along with the names. Hopefully someone may comment and shed some light on them.
let me know your thoughts - just look up edinphoto and it should come up.

All the best,

Joe

[Chas Lawrence]

Hi Craig,
I've just seen the posts re David Colbron. It is possible that he is my wife's great uncle. I am going to see her parents (Colbrons) tomorrow so I will share this with them and see what we find.

Regards,
Chas.

[Craig Semplis]

Hi Chas Lawrence, seems some time since I've heard from you about the family tree or have you reached a dead end?? hope to hear from you soon all the best Craig Semplis.