When I posted my mystery negatives last week, I thought people might be able to identify the location eventually if I was very lucky, but assumed the chance of ever knowing who any of the people are were was virtually non-existent. However with the huge help of Norman Dunn and the Hebburn message board lots of progress has been made.

They were very quickly identified as being taken in Jarrow, but now a photo clearly taken in 1905 on the same day of the same family has emerged from a book.

This names them as Jane Elizabeth Hill and her children Raymond, Florrie and Lillie, who can be seen again in this studio portrait.

Their father John Edwin Hill being the town hatter, I don’t think its too much of a jump to say this is probably him with the same children on the same studio chair, although perhaps looking a little younger ?

This has really shown me the huge powers of the internet and I thank everyone involved for their help again. I have donated the box of slides to Norman so he can continue his investigations on their home town.

Unfortunately they were not local to Teesside, but I have been able to confirm this location as St Pauls in Jarrow with the help of Norman Dunn and the people who added to the comments.

Once the second image is flipped the right way its very close to this image from Newcastle Libraries (which I would guess is taken from the bridge in my photo)

This 1896 street plan also shows two rows of houses that tie in

I suppose this is slightly off topic, but these glass plate negatives were purchased at Saltburn Salerooms with some old cameras. Therefore there’s a slim chance they are local.






They were covered in dust and mold and had clearly been allowed to get wet at some point. Any comments on what period the clothing dates them to would be welcome.






Its a shame putting names to any of the faces will now be virtually impossible, as i’m sure the plates would be worth their weight in gold to the descendants of those pictured.