Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past History Information Request Help Identify Location

I've been given this photograph with a request if I can identify its location.

Its probably around 1913 and probably on the Wirral, the woman in the picture was in service in West Kirby at some time and her ancestors were in Liverpool.

I've raised a number of observations on the photograph but I won't list them now as I'd like to hear anybody else's comments or ideas independently.

I would have thought that to be later than 1913
30s ?

I guess 1913 was calculated from her estimated age on the photograph. I'm finding out her year of birth and we can see if we get a consensus on her age.

The poster in the background says "for personal freshness" which is a Lifebuoy Soap (Lever's) logo used in the 1950's but I don't know when they started using that logo. The soap itself was manufactured from 1895.

I would agree with the later date - 20s or 30s, too much leg on display for 1913. Looks like an attractive spot; if not around old New Brighton, pre-sea wall, could be North Wales, maybe not Wirral? There were good train links into Wales.

I agree that its unlikely to be as early as 1913 from the dresses.

I thought Wales looking at the shape of stone used on the smaller buildings, but the extreme flatness and sharp corners of the walls is not very Welsh(?) and I'm not sure about the English poster in Wales pre WW2?

I'm also wondering about how storm-proof it looks considering it is right on the beach, rules out New Brighton?

Buildings are quite dense which also rules out any New Brighton beyond the old prom - and the old prom is missing so can't be there either.

How about looking at the shoes. They were called 'brogues' (I think) but don't know when they became popular. Men and women wore them, but the men didn't have heels on theirs then .
She looks like a picture of my gran (clothes and shoes) in a photo I had, but I don't know when it was taken. Been looking for it. Will let you know if it's found.

Print frock, I'd say 40's early 50's. Looking at the style of the blokes and their haircuts too.

my first impression is that it's not local. North wales is a shout but part of me thinks it could well be south-west england (devon, cornwall, ilfracombe, penzance etc)

I'd agree with that Bandy, also because of the print dress on the left and the style of knitted cardigan. Also the style of coat worn by the woman on the steps. The early 1950's I reckon. (but you know I'm usually wrong)
Does the flag give any clues ?

If they are having a day away, they haven't got much with them, so maybe a caravan holiday in N Wales. It looks a bit hilly too

Yes, I agree with the year thing.

I think the confusion is that the person they thought the photograph was of is the girl by the photographers kit, whereas I think its the woman centre front.

The person was born 1887, they thought the age was about 26 and so they guessed 1913 - I think the woman is about 50 which would make it c1947.

I have a photo of me with my aunties taken in 1947
and their outfits and shoes are very similar to these.
I think the buildings rule Wirral out - most like
N. Wales.

How about West Kirby or Hoylake there have been lots of changes to the front down there and originally some of the roads led to the beach.

If you look at the video from the 30's which has been linked on another topic you can see the style of people in the 30's so it would confirm the 40's supposition.

Me being me, examined all sorts of aspects in the photograph's content - and missed anything to do with the people.

One thing I forgot to mention is that the negative is roughly 2 1/4" by 3 1/4" which may be meaningful to some?

Also the women originated from the Potteries.