Genealogy Chat

As a small child I always had a fascination for photographs. I quickly realised that there were none of me until the school photos started to appear although there were quite a few of my older and younger brothers and sisters. When I questioned this the subject was directed elsewhere. Now out of thin air a photograph said to be me as a baby has appeared and supposedly it has always been with all the rest of the family photos and I must have missed it. It doesn't resemble me in the least so I would like to check it out. On the back someone has written Linda, taken at Williams, 231 Walworth Road, SE8, I know 100% that Walworth Road is SE17 and Deptford is SE8, Can someone tell me how to find out if there was a photographers in Walworth Road back in 1948 please or how I can find out.
Thanks.

You might be able to find a town or local area directory for the area in the local library.

I managed to find when my great-grandad owned a hotel that way - he was listed under hotel-keepers and I managed to establish to roughly within a year when he must have taken on the hotel - so there may be a similar thing available for that area in the library. (Possibly it might be in the local studies or reference section.)

Linda

If there is a trade directory for that period you might find them in that.
If not try Goggling Photographer London 1948 see what comes up.

What are you thinking about Linda - that you may be adopted and the family are hiding it from you?

Have had a google - only two Walworth Roads in London, SE1 and SE17.

Why do you think "Williams" is a photographer - is it a set piece portrait? If its printed on there Id say it was the photographers name but I cant see why someone would write the photographer's name on the back of a childs photo - its not relevant is it

Have you seen your own birth cert? Have you ordered the long type one?

Hi Heather, I know Walworth Road very well. It runs from Camberwell Gate which is SE17 up to Elephant and Castle where it becomes SE1.

I am being told it's stamped on the back of the photograph 'Williams' by my eldest sister but she won't let the original out of her hands and has had a copy done and written in her handwriting on the back of it.

I haven't seen my full birth cert. but I am the image of my elder brother who has in the past raised a query re his father. Our father be he biological or otherwise could not have been a better father so I have no hankering on that side of things, he's my 'dad' I just want to know why things appear to be a little on the secretive side.

Linda, it does sound quite suspicious and I do feel for you. It must be very frustrating and upsetting to just want the truth. I would do as Heather suggested and look up your birth certificate, find out if that holds a clue. Either that or is there a family member who is maybe slightly isolated from the main nucleus of your family that may throw more light on the matter? I would say though that if you're going to check it out then you need to be prepared for the worst that you think may happen, it may or may not have a big impact on you.

It may be mum was married before and they dont like to mention it. Can you get your parents marriage cert do you think?

How much difference is there between you and your older sister and why is she so possessive about a photo supposedly of you?

I think you need to send for your full birth certificate but only if you really w ant to know the answer come what may.

Ann
Glos