Information on the photographer Horace H Dudley.

[parkesm13]

Hello all!. I was wondering if anyone could help me. I have recently embarked on a quest to find out as much as I can on the West Bromwich Photographer, Horace H. Dudley. I see many photographs on this website of his. I know very little of his personal life or any photographs of him. So far I have learnt:

He was born on 14 January 1877 and died December 1954 at the old age of 68.

When he was born he was living at 7 Victoria terrace in Worcestershire with his five siblings and a live in maid.

By 24 he was a self-employed Photographer, still living with his parents, but in a house in Dudley (29 queens cross) which is a mosque now.

His studio at 14 beeches rd was listed in the phone book since 1926.

Horace married Elizabeth F Dudley (still trying to find her maiden name).

By 1939 he was retired (can't find an exact retirement date.), yet most of his studios were still in trade directories up until 1940, when they all stopped being listed except the one in Bradford street. Which makes me think his son Alan may have taken over?

Thank you for all and any help.
Mathew.

[CaroleW]

Welcome to Rootschat

Horace married Elizabeth F Dudley (still trying to find her maiden name).

She was Elizabeth Fanny W Sample

See www.freebmd.org.uk

They married at Holy Trinity West Bromwich in 1907 - see www.westmidlandsbmd.org.uk

[CaroleW]

From www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/Login.asp

Daughter Edna Mary born 1908 and son Alan 1913

Edna married Robert S Bache in 1933

Which makes me think his son Alan may have taken over?

Possible marriage to Gwendoline Millichip in 1943

You have the 1939 entry - Alan was then 26 but is not shown as a photographer.  He died 7.12.1985 and left almost £58,000

https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Calendar?surname=dudley&yearOfDeath=1986&page=1#calendar

[parkesm13]

Thank you for the welcome Carol! That is great info I haven't yet got and two more sites I can use for the future for researching. It's frustrating me that I cant a picture of him, though ironically he took thousands of pictures! 

[CaroleW]

Hi

Just added a bit more to my reply above which you may not have seen

[parkesm13]

Just seen it! Thank you! So many tools I didnt know of. 

[CaroleW]

There were 2 children born to the 1943 marriage but as they could still be alive their details cannot be shown here.  Go to freebmd and search Dudley births with a mothers maiden name of Millichip

[parkesm13]

Now that's great stuff! Thank you for the help so far. Please let me know anything else you come across. I'm new to this kind of thing (but finding it so fascinating and fun.) 

[CaroleW]

Gwendolen Millichip was born 28.1.1917 West Bromwich and died 1992 Birmingham

She left a will and almost £166,000 - see link to probate website above