Find Ancestors

I did have a family history book dedicated to dating photos by the way they had been taken and style in which they were etc etc (i.e. as photographic technology developed) - If I can find it, I will post the details.

hi margaret
you could try here

http://www.sunderland-antiquarians.org/

Thank you so much for that information. Why on earth didn't I think to look for the photographer on the census returns. Truly grateful. I think this is confirmation that the picture is indeed my gt. grandfather around the time of his marriage 1889 which would make him about 22/23. Cheers everyone - you don't know how thrilled this has made me !!!

1881 England Census


Name:Henry Geo. Thompson

Age:64

Estimated Birth Year:abt 1817

Relationship to Head:Head

Spouse:Elizabeth Thompson

Gender:Male
Where born:London, Middlesex, England

Civil Parish:Darlington County/Island:Durham

Street Address:85 Parkgate

Marital Status:Married

Occupation:Carver & Gilder & Photographer


Registration District:Darlington
Sub-registration District:Darlington

ED, institution, or vessel:8
Piece:4885
Folio:74
Page Number:45

Household Members:


Name

Age

Henry Geo. Thompson 64
Elizabeth Thompson 63

1891 census transcription details for: 39, Tatham Street, Bishop Wearmouth, Sunderland
Print Close

National Archive Reference:
RG number: RG12
Piece: 4139
Folio: 25
Page: 43
Reg. District: Sunderland
Sub District: South Bishop Wearmouth
Parish: Bishop Wearmouth
Enum. District: 15
Ecclesiastical District: St Pauls Hendon
City/Municipal Borough: Sunderland
Address: 39, Tatham Street, Bishop Wearmouth, Sunderland
County: Durham
Name Relation Condition Sex Age Birth Year Occupation , Disability Where Born
THOMPSON, Henry Head Married M 35 1856 Photographer
Skelton, Cleveland
THOMPSON, Elizabeth Wright Wife Married F 35 1856
Sunderland, County Durham
THOMPSON, Walter Hy Son M 7 1884
Sunderland, County Durham
THOMPSON, Andrew N Son M 5 1886
Sunderland, County Durham
THOMPSON, Douglas S Son M 3 1888
Sunderland, County Durham
CROTHERS, Mary Servant F 17 1874 General Servant Domestic
Hetton, County Durham


Dea x

is this link of any help

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/details/C10375418?descriptiontype=Full&ref=COPY+1/423/324

I have a photograph which was amongst my parents belongings and I am desperately trying to identify the person. I have a feeling of who it might be but am not sure. It is a studio photo of a man probably late 1800's. He has his hair parted down the middle, is wearing a suit with a waistcoat which is square-shaped at the fastening. He also has a tie on. The person I think it is is my gt. grandfather who was born 1865/66. The photograph was taken at the studio of H. Thompson of 39 Tatham Street, Sunderland. I have tried every permutation I can think of to establish just when this photographer was in operation in Sunderland but to no avail. I did find that in 1902 (Kelly's directory) the same premises were used as a photographers but by a Clem Humphries. Nowhere can I find reference to the years H Thompson operated. The person I think it is was last seen on the 1881 census when he was 15. He has not been found on any other census since then. He married in 1889 so I know he was around then and also fathered two children (who he doesn't appear to have lived with ! ). If I could find when H. Thompson operated if would give me an idea of how old this person in the photo is and would be a pointer towards determining if this is my elusive ancestor or not. Anyone with knowledge of Sunderland and/or photographers that could maybe help would be greatly appreciated as I have no idea what to do next. Thanks.