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UNIDENTIFIED PHOTOGRAPHS

On this page we will offer to display photographs which members have not been able to identify. So if you have any photographs in your family history files that have puzzled you perhaps someone else can help you. They can be of people or places.

Please send them preferably in jpeg format to Geoff Allan. A hard copy could be used and returned if necessary Click for email address

Have you had any success with identifying your photographs ? Please let us know what the results were, so we can publish your stories here !


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The picture comes from the personal album of my aunt DORIS LILIAN MACKENZIE (b. Scotland 1904 d. London 1948) who came to the Isle of Wight aged 8 in 1912. She is seen seated fourth from the left and looks 12-13 yrs old, which dates the picture to during the First World War. At the time she was living in Carisbrooke, so the Troop is likely to be Newport/Carisbrooke based and the location on the Island.

I would like to establish the identity of the Girl Guide Troop and if anyone else can spot their relatives in it.

Alan Mackenzie, Member no 2026
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[10 May 2008]

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This photo came to light with three others containing images of 27756 Cpl. George WHITE, 14th Bn Hampshire Regiment. Nothing is known about this sergeant, except that he is a rifleman in the territorials who had volunteered for overseas service. Most likely he was in The Isle of Wight Rifles, which is where George started his army life. If anybody recognises this man, please let me know.

Editor's Note : The buttons on his tunic display a bugle surmounted by a crown, which may indicate a Light Infantry regiment, but since the IW Rifles' buttons also displayed a similar insignia, it is more likely that he was in the IW Rifles.

Gwynn White, Member no 2444
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[30 April 2008]

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This picture is of my grandmother Rose Louisa ODELL (nee KING) she was born on the Island 01/01/1900 at 20 Merton Terrace, Newport. She is shown here with a man in military uniform, It is possible that it is her brother Frederick KING who was killed in action overseas in 1917, but I am not certain. I wondered if anyone out there would have any ideas not only on the identity of the man but where Merton Terrace would have been.

Andrew Wood, Member no 1897
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[21 April 2008]

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Can anyone identify this young man? He looks to be a crew member on the URSULINE (vessel Reg No 21686) which was built in 1858 by Inman's of Lymington for Lord Londesbrough. In 1869 owned by H Villebois by 1899 the yacht was sold to a foreigner. His jumper has the initials of the ROYAL VICTORIA YACHT CLUB on the front of it. The photo was found amongst family photos of the GREGORY family of Ryde. We have looked at the available crew lists and didn't recognise any names. Any help greatly appreciated please send your answers to Sue Lawrence, IWFHS Member 1734
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[21 April 2008]

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Can anyone help to identify this family or give me any information about them. They may have moved to Australia. I only know they are part of my father's family, the GOBLE's of Nelson St. Ryde, descendants of Nicholas Bagwell SMITH. Another associated family is the GUY family. Thank you.
Please send any answers to Ivy MacMahon, IWFHS Member 2471 Email: Click for email address

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Another mystery group has come to light when researching the White family tree. Nothing is known about this photograph except that the photographer has embossed his name in the bottom right corner. I believe it reads "G. & H. Ancell" and then, underneath, "Sandown". If anyone has any ideas, I will be delighted to hear from them. Thank you.
Please send any answers to Gwynn White, IWFHS Member 2444 Email: Click for email address

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This is a picture of a winner's medal relating to one of my ancestors.
On the obverse are three letters L. G. C. On the reverse is inscribed : First Prize. Presented to G. White 1914.
I have no idea what this was awarded for and I am hoping that somebody may have seen a similar LGC medal before.
Please send any answers to Gwynn White, IWFHS Member 2444 Email: Click for email address


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These two pictures came to light when researching the White family tree and I believe that the same lady features in both photos. It is either the same lady or two very look-alike sisters. I do not believe that the lady is a White, but she would fit in to the puzzle nicely if she was of the Hawkins family. I know nothing. I am guessing, and probably not very well. The second picture appears to be a four or even five generations picture.
Please send any answers to Gwynn White, IWFHS Member 2444 Email: Click for email address


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This small Pewter? Cream jug has the mark "J K & Co 1" on the bottom. It is three and a half inches tall. All I know is that it belonged to my great grandfather, Fredrick COOPER born 24.11.1865, Ryde IOW. My mother said that "He won it in a race". She didn't know what kind of race. I don't think he owned a bicycle and I doubt he would have time for swimming or rowing, so it was probably a running race.
I have seen two other jugs like this, One was owned by a lady who told me her brother won it in a race!, ( she lived in Wiltshire) no other info, and the other one, which my next door neighbour has, belonged to her aunt but she knows nothing about it. Can anyone help?
Please send any answers to Ann Ryder, IWFHS Member 1838 Email: Click for email address



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Do you recognise anyone in these groups?
(1) I think is a Salvation Army women's & children outing. The only ones I know are: front row sitting, far right Elizabeth Taylor nee Cooper, who lived at Colenuts Rd, Haylands, & third from right sitting, Florence LACEY nee HIGGINS, who lived at Cross St, Elmfield, Ryde.
(2) St Johns Sunday School,1907. This post card was posted on 15 May 1907, to Miss A Higgins, 30a George St, St Clements, it read "Dear Annie is this anything like your Sunday class, my brother is on the left of the top row, love to all Ethel" (Annie was her sister- in -law) This is possibly, Douglas Frank HERBERT, born in 1894 making him 13 at the time of the post card. Ethel HERBERT married Harry HIGGINS; she lived at Oak villas, Upper Oak Hill, Ryde, opposite the Parish Hall.
The boy standing next to him looks like one of the LACEYs who lived near the HERBERTs. Later Joseph LACEY married Harry HIGGINS' sister Florence.
Please send any answers to Ann Ryder, IWFHS Member 1838 Email: Click for email address


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Where is this picture now?
This is a photograph that my Grandfather may have taken. On it he has written "Benjamin Redstone about 1817". It looks as if it is of a painting and I would like to know if the painting is still in existence.
Sherrill Burrows (IWFHS Member 1391) . Click for email address


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These photographs belonged to my grandmother Lilian May Pragnell (nee Pocock) and the photograph of the gentleman was just labelled "Uncle William".
The photograph of the couple standing outside their house was labelled "Uncle & Auntie with Jimmy the dog" all I can see is the name "Villa" above the doorway, but have no idea who the couple are, or where it was taken. I would be very grateful if anyone can help me identify them.
Please send any answers to Linda Scott, IWFHS Member 2009 Email: Click for email address



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The four photographs here are part of a collection of around 38 photographs owned by Sheila Clews. They are from the family of JOHN BIGNELL married to ROSA TEWKESBURY. None of the photographs have been named. Sheila would love to hear from anyone who shares her interest in any of the connected families and would like to see more of these Victorian photographs. The names connected with this family are:- BIGNELL, TEWKESBURY, ROGERS, COOPER, TARRANT, RIDGELY, TURTLE, JAMES, ARNOLD, WARNE possibly BEAVIS
Please send any answers to Sheila Clews, Member 1910 Email: Click for email address

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Who is this lady?
This lady's photograph was amongst a collection of family photos kept by my mother. I'm hoping someone can identify her, and perhaps tell me something about her.
My mother was Edith Annie TROWER, born 1894 at Ryde. Other family names are BAKER, STREET, GREENWOOD and VATER.
B.M.White, (IWFHS Member 2384) . Click for email address

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Who are these people?
The photo is of some bakers from St Helens. My Great Uncle Jack HENLEY is in the middle of the front row. His brother Ted may be one of the men, but I'd love to find out who the others were. Jack was born around 1877, and I think this was taken around 1900 to 1910. Jack married Agnes CAWS in 1909.
This photo is one of a fairly large collection that my mother kept in a carrier bag. I have safely scanned them all now. Unfortunately, she can no longer remember who the people are. A timely reminder to all of us, to write the details on the back of family photos, not just names, but dates too.
Sally-Ann Garrett IWFHS Member 1420 Click for email address

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THEARLE Family
This photograph was taken exactly 100 years ago in 1907, probably at Sandown. Similar pictures in the series show my great-grandparents George and Maude THOMSON (formerly THEARLE) with their young children but there a number of other people in the pictures that I can't identify. This little group intrigues me. If anyone can help with their identification, or if they recognise the typical turn of the centuary building I'd be very grateful. The picture would have been taken on a family holiday, the THEARLE family having close IoW links.
Sarah Russell IWFHS Member 1883 Click for email address

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Mystery Man
I have been told that this photograph is of an Uncle of my Gt Grandfather George Robert COLEMAN. Now his father, (also called George), had a number of brothers and his mother Sarah (nee MARCH) had one brother so am wondering just who this man is. I wonder if there is anyone out there that in any way recognises this person. I am almost sure he is a COLEMAN but quite happy to be proved wrong.
Meryl Allen Mem. 2109 Click for email address

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Unidentified Wedding
All I know about this photograph is that it came from Elizabeth Fanny Matilda RYDER (nee WHITE) born 21.11.1886 at Carisbrooke IOW. Her parents were Charles John WHITE & Fanny BARNET of Cowes; grandparents were John WHITE & Ellen Fanny BLOW of Cowes and Henry John BARNET & Maria Elizabeth BLAKER of Cowes. Her husband was Walter RYDER who was born 1882 and lived South Warnborough, Alton; he was in the army. His parents were Walter RYDER & Eliza Rose who lived in South Warnborough, Alton). Elizabeth & Walter married 30.9.1907 at St James Parish church East Cowes - at the time she was working for the vicar.

Other Island names connected with Elizabeth Fanny Matilda RYDER's siblings were SQUIB, JONES, BRITTEN and ZANNILLY.

If any one knows anyone or can identify where it was taken I shall be delighted to hear from them. Thank you
Ann RYDER Mem. 1838 Click for email address


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UNKNOWN YOUNG MAN
This photograph was found amongst my great-aunt's possessions, along with photographs of her nieces and nephews, but who this handsome young man is, is a mystery. Can anyone help identify him - perhaps the background tapestry might be familiar. Please send any answers to
Ginny Wade, Mem. 2173 Email: Click for email address

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UNKNOWN COUPLE
These photographs have been sent by Jill Wright. She found them amongst her mother's collection of photographs, but she has no idea who they are. According to the words on the back the photos were taken at Knight's Arcade studio, Ryde around 1880 or even slightly earlier. Jill's mother was a TUFFNELL, daughter of Ralph Montague TUFFNELL (born in Ryde 9 march 1882), parents James Frederick TUFFNELL and Emily Jane BULLOCK. Can anyone identify the people in them? Please send any answers to
Jill Wright(IWFHS Member 2270) Email: Click for email address

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YOUNG/CASS/SWEATMAN
My mother found this photograph in a box when she cleared out a cupboard in my great-aunt's flat. My great-aunt is Frances MASON (nee YOUNG), no one in the family can identify any of the people in the photograph. In that branch of the family we have the names YOUNG/CASS/SWEATMAN
Please send any answers to
Chris Farnsworth Mem.1558 Email: Click for email address