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William Baker, Birmingham Photographer

G

gingerninja

knowlegable brummie
I am researching Walter Baker photographer, I have a picture of MY GT GT Grandmother, I don't know the year it was taken but on the it is ' Walter Baker' 159 Moseley Road, can find him in 1891 in Gladstone Road. In 1901 the Holland family occupied 159 Moseley Road, the youngest daughter was a photographic assistanct.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

gingerninja
 
That link doesn't seem to work, hope this does.

dmund S. BAKER Art Studios, 82 Bristol St., Birmingham
E.S. BAKER & Son, 154 Bristol St., Birmingham, from about 1896-9
Egeston BAKER, Northlight Studios, 220 Deritend Bridge, Birmingham
L & W E BAKER 220 Deritend Birmingham
Thomas Baker 283, Sherlock Street, Birmingham.
W. BAKER, Highgate Studios 110 Moseley Road
renumbered (c.1894) to 213 Moseley Road, Birmingham - 1880-90s
BAKER and HUDSON, 118 (moved 1896-9 to 243-4) Gooch St
62 Bordesley,
 
Thanks, brilliant her address before she died was Ashley Street, which I put in Google maps and is only a few street away.

Again thanks
 
The issue is slightly complicated by the fact that Moseley Road changed its numbering system sometime between 1892 and 1895 from consecutive, to odd numbers one side, even the other. Before that Kellys shows that the W Baker at 110 moseley road was a William Baker, who is a photographer from before at least 1883. There was also a William Charles Baker, photographer, who overlapped, working at Hingeston St, so it seems a photographic family. Walter Baker is listed as living at 89 moseley road in 1892 and 159 Moseley Road in 1895-7 (the same building, but renumbered. william’s number changes to 213 moseley road), but no business is listed as being at the premises. In 1899 Walter Baker is listed as photographer at 213 and 159 moseley road. So it looks like Walter took over (his fathers?) business. Before , possibly he was working form william and doing a bit on the side for himself under his own name. In 1900 –1905 he is only at 159 moseley road. In 1908-1956 it is Baker Louisa & Walter,220 High street, Deritend, but firm has gone by 1962
mike
 
Well I would not actually swear to it, but I think a bustle was earlier than this. I have photos taken, I believe, in the early 1880's and no bustle (also by Mr Baker). I think the bustle was around 1860, but as you say the clothes could have been kept for years. I am going to be very interested in any replies, as this is an interesting subject.

Shortie
 
This is written by an American woman, and I do believe that English fashion was not quite the same, time-wise. I have a photograph of my gt grandmother taken in about 1890 and no trace of what this lady describes. I personally would urge caution, as I do know that fashions were not the same here as over there, just like today (for the average person, not the super-rich, of course). There are photograph dating services, I shall have to see if I can find one, it would be more accurate, I feel.

Shortie
 
William Baker is not listed in kellys in 1880, but is at 110 Mosely Road in 1883. He stayed in the same building till 1899. but it is a abinet makers in 1900. HOWEVER, Thje numbering system of Mosely road changed between 1893 & 1895, and the same building was lsited as no 213 from 1895.Worth remembering if you are trying to place building also. Whether he would have immediately ditched his old cards and paperwork, i don't know.
Mike
 
The photo may be slightly later,as she lived with her son and family in Gooch Street in 1901 census
1901
William Fleetwood aged 27 Head born Dudley, Staffordshire,Coachman (not domestic)
Elizabeth Fleetwood aged 26 Wife born West Bromwich, Staffordshire
Arnoldb Fleetwood aged 2 Son born West Bromwich, Staffordshire
Ivy B Fleetwood aged 8M Daur born Birmingham,
Julia Fleetwood aged 57 Mother born Compton Abdale, Gloucestershire
Frances Fleetwood aged 19 Sister born Warwickshire,Draper & Hosier Assistant (called Sarah in the 1891 census)
Ebenezer Hemming aged 20 Boarder born Alvercott, Oxfordshire,Draper & Hosier Assistant
Thomas Charge aged 17 Boarder born Walsall, Staffordshire,Draper & Hosier Assistant
living at 178 To 180 Gooch Street, Birmingham
Gooch Street is not that far from the Moseley Rd
 
Mike, do you have Walter Baker in around 1901 please? I have been looking through oold photos today and have been able to date some thanks to your information about Moseley Road and the changing numbers, however, I have just come across one Walter Baker, 159 Moseley Road. In the bottom left hand corner is a kind of ribbon with Highgate Studios on it. Is this possibly the original W Baker's son, or has he changed his ideas as well as his studios?

Shortie
 
I think I have answered this for someone else at some time, as i have notes on it. Am not sure where the other post was (It might have been on another forum). anyway the relevent bit says;
. In 1899 Walter Baker is listed as photographer at 213 and 159 moseley road. So it looks like Walter took over (his fathers?) business. Before , possibly he was working for william and doing a bit on the side for himself under his own name. In 1900 –1905 he is only at 159 moseley road. In 1908-1956 it is Baker Louisa & Walter,220 High street, Deritend, but firm has gone by 1962
mike
 
Hi ginger,

I also have a picture of my Grandmother taken by Walter Baker, 159 Mosely Road. She is wearing a wedding ring so must be after 1899, and fits in with the last email message and still looks very young.

Regards

gingerninja said:
I am researching Walter Baker photographer, I have a picture of MY GT GT Grandmother, I don't know the year it was taken but on the it is ' Walter Baker' 159 Moseley Road, can find him in 1891 in Gladstone Road. In 1901 the Holland family occupied 159 Moseley Road, the youngest daughter was a photographic assistanct.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

gingerninja
Click to expand...
 
Is this the same walter baker who worked at 220 Deritend? I have photos with L&WE Baker names printed on.
 
They worked at the same time, and the Deritend one specifically listed himself as Walter Egerton, and so i would think it unlikely that they were the same, though very possibly related
 
I have a photo of my grandmother taken around 1901 by William Baker, Highgate Studios Birmingham.
Would like to know the exact address if possible.
Rob
 
The studios were in Moseley road, . William Baker, Highgate Studios 110 Moseley Road was there from at least 1883. His son Walter Baker took over from him and during his sons time (c 1894) the road was renumbered and studios became 213 Moseley Road, Birmingham .
Mike
 
I have a lot of photos from Walter Baker and wondered if there is any website or archive where I could find out the names of people attributed to various numbers on the back of the photos?

Thanks. I feel they are the Critchley family
 
I too have a photo from this photographer which i am trying to date. I inherited an album which has lots of photos in but no names attached all i have to go on is the inscription at the front which states was given to mother on her 55th birthday from 2 of her daughters, in 1896
 
I see it's been a good 6 years since anyone wrote on this thread. I just came across a photo taken by W Baker, 110 Moseley Road, and nearly fell off my chair because the Victorian woman looks exactly like me. There is a handwritten number on the back of it. I would love to find out who this woman was.. does anyone know if there are records somewhere from W Baker's business?

I found the picture when I was looking through postcards on eBay, and I bought it immediately. The fellow who sold it to me said he's seen many pictures of the same lady, all through her life, and has sold them. He says when you deal with CDVs & Cabinet Cards for long enough you begin to recognise faces.

I've read as much history on W Baker as possible on the internet, but now I'm wondering if Birmingham History has any other details about him/his business.

I'd like to upload the picture here, and the back of it, but I don't know how to do that.

Appreciate any and all replies and information.

Many thanks,

Carol
 
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I've a photo of my Great Grandmother taken by William Baker - Highgate Studios @ no. 110 Moseley Road. Would be late 19thC. She too is wearing a short tight fitted jacket and a bustle.
 
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riverite said:
I have a lot of photos from Walter Baker and wondered if there is any website or archive where I could find out the names of people attributed to various numbers on the back of the photos?

Thanks. I feel they are the Critchley family
Click to expand...
Ditto Riverite,
I was wondering the same. If there are any records archived somewhere that could provide names for these old photos. We don't recognise anyone but it is either of Harold Wainmans ancestors / family or his wife Ada's family. (don't have a surname for her.
 
Doesn't answer your question but Harold Waiman married Ada Perry in 1969 - is this likely to be the one?
 
happycamper said:
Ditto Riverite,
I was wondering the same. If there are any records archived somewhere that could provide names for these old photos. We don't recognise anyone but it is either of Harold Wainmans ancestors / family or his wife Ada's family. (don't have a surname for her.
Click to expand...

The numbers on the backs of all carte de visite refer to the reference given to them by the individual photographer ...once the photographer closes down those records are all lost... i have not come across any Birmingham photographer whose records like that are still available unfortunately.
 
I have found a photo from W Baker of 10 Mosley Street. The lady looks to be dressed in the same fashion as above. Interestingly I found them in a small box I purchased from a charity shop along with some other pics. Among them is a 1945 picture of a soldier called Kenneth who was in France and also has Sankey written on it which I’m not sure is a nick name or surname.
 
Hi Mark,

Welcome to the Forum. Most likely his surname as I was at school with a chap with the surname Sankey-Smith, who sadly died a few years ago. No doubt someone somewhere is looking for photographs of the family and all too many are unfortunately detroyed.

The 1911 Census lists 95 people in the Birmingham area with the surname, though Kenneth was not among them, but he was most probably not born until later if this was a WW2 photograph.

Maurice
 
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Thank you Maurice.
I have a real bundle with the pictures including an envelope filled with leaves from the battle fields of South Africa. They obviously meant something to somebody and I can’t bring myself to throw any of it away. It seems disrespectful.
I’ve traced a guy quite close to Birmingham on Facebook with the same name so fingers crossed he’s named after his Grandad or another relative and he connects with them. If not I’ll keep trying as the other bits are really interesting.
Thanks again
Mark
 
Mark,

There appear to be only two Kenneth Sankey births in the West Midlands that fit the time frame:-

Kenneth SANKEY (mother's maiden name JONES) Born 1 Qtr 1923, Coventry Reg Dist, Vol 6d Page 1191
Kenneth C. SANKEY (mmn CARTWRIGHT) Born 3 Qtr 1926, Stourbridge Reg Dist, Vol 6c Page 83

Now back to the thread before my knuckles are rapped! :cool:

Maurice
 
mikejee said:
The studios were in Moseley road, . William Baker, Highgate Studios 110 Moseley Road was there from at least 1883. His son Walter Baker took over from him and during his sons time (c 1894) the road was renumbered and studios became 213 Moseley Road, Birmingham .
Mike
Click to expand...
Finding this information has thrown a real spanner in the works to our family history. We have an old photograph taken at Highgate Studios, W.Baker, 213 Moseley Road, Birmingham.
But the person who we believe is in the photo died in 1891!
Do you think it's possible any photography did take place at #213 before 1891?
 
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