The History of Family Photography

Airedale and Wharfedale Family History Society – Meeting Report

Date: 20th February 2025
Venue: Zoom
Speaker: Stephen Gill
Topic: The History of Family Photography

The Airedale and Wharfedale Family History Society held its latest meeting on 20th February 2025, offering members an insightful talk on the subject of photograph restoration. The session, delivered in a hybrid format, featured a presentation by an experienced photographer with over 65 years in the field and 30 years dedicated to restoring old photographs.

The speaker introduced the audience to the significance of preserving historical photographs and shared fascinating insights into the techniques used to restore them. He highlighted the importance of looking at photographs with a deeper appreciation, contrasting this with a study from a national art gallery, which found that the average viewing time for an old master painting was only eight seconds.

Throughout the session, the speaker demonstrated various restoration techniques, explaining how different types of damage—such as fading, creases, and tears—could be corrected. Using examples, he illustrated how software and manual methods can bring damaged images back to life while maintaining their historical integrity. The discussion included an overview of popular restoration tools, including Adobe Photoshop and AI-based restoration software, as well as traditional methods used before digital advancements.

The speaker also provided tips on how to properly store and preserve old photographs to prevent deterioration over time. Recommendations included storing photos in acid-free albums, avoiding direct sunlight, and handling prints with clean, dry hands or gloves to minimise damage from oils and moisture.

Attendees were encouraged to bring in their own photographs for discussion, and several members shared personal stories about images they had preserved or hoped to restore. The interactive portion of the session allowed for practical demonstrations, where the speaker provided on-the-spot suggestions for improving the quality of members’ family photographs.

Members had the opportunity to ask questions and discuss their own challenges in preserving old family photographs. The talk was well received, with attendees expressing gratitude for the practical tips and historical context provided. Many members noted that they had gained a new appreciation for the role that photographs play in family history research, particularly in bringing ancestors’ stories to life.

The meeting concluded with society updates, including forthcoming events and research projects. Announcements were made regarding upcoming workshops on genealogical research methods and the preservation of historical documents. A reminder was also given about the society’s ongoing efforts to digitise local records, with volunteers being encouraged to participate.

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/YTFhg-de-XuD7K3pSCze6xacIO1WYiRQSXoQiD1I0RPXbqvfddi9YNnp3R9iPKEb.m0-PVE_DaksDpRjR?startTime=1740079839000

Passcode: @WN60Adz

The next meeting will take place on Monday 3 March 2025, with details to be announced in due course.

Local News 1937 

From the Wharfedale & Airedale Gazette 

January 

Miss Margery Sutherland, a former Rawdon matron died.  She was the matron of the convalescent home in Craggwood for 20 years.    Mr. Gilbert Frankland, the husband of Mrs. Frankland J.P.  Mr. Wilfred Marshall of Yeadon died after working for Nunroyd Mills for 51 years. 

A Royal Air Force aircraft crashed onto the farm of Mr. Stanley Stephenson at Riffa.  The pilot and observer escaped uninjured. 

Mr. Mrs George Terry, East View, Menston celebrated their golden wedding.  Mr. Mrs. John Gall of the Jane Whiteley Memorial Houses Pool celebrated their diamond wedding but Mrs. Gall died 8 days later.  Mr. Mrs. W Lupton 180 West Terrace, Burley celebrated their golden wedding.   

February 

 Mr. Tom Hudson, described as the “Grandpa” of Yeadon Pantomime Company during shortly after the first performance of “Babes in the Wood.”    

Yeadon was shocked by the news of the death of Mr. Herman Walmsley, Clerk to Yeadon Council for many years.  Mr. Arthur Thornton, 53 of Pool Road died.  He was the pioneer of daily bus service to Lawnswood in May 1921.  Mr. John Edson of Bridge Avenue Otley age 78, an old Otley musician and electrician, died. 

Mrs. H Naylor of Crowtrees, Rawdon bought as presented to Rawdon, “Ashbourne” Gladstone Road as a home for the District Nurse. 

March 

Mr. James Thompson, a well-known Yeadon engineer died aged 54, also Mr. John Lee died, a personality widely known as the “Umbrella Man”, died aged 84. 

Mr. Mrs. Welburn of Terrace Horsforth celebrated their golden wedding. 

Mr. WH Brooksbank of Rawdon was elected a member of the West Riding Couty Council for Yeadon by defeating Mr. R Hodgson of Horsforth.  Mr. Brooke Pickard, the sitting member of the County Council was re-elected unopposed. 

April 

Mr. Mrs. H Dale of Guiseley celebrated their golden wedding.  

Horsforth’s grand old lady Mrs. Faith Wilkinson died aged 94.  Mr. Arthur Facer, a well-known Horsforth printer died age 44.  Mr. George Nunns of Rawdon died aged 78 and Mr. J H Wood a leading personality at St Margaret’s Church and Mr. John William Almond, the last surviving founder of Woodside Comic Cricket match. 

A red-letter day in the history of Rawdon Cricket Club with the handing over of the ground by the donor Mr. Heaton Naylor of Crowtrees, Rawdon. 

At the first meeting of Aireborough Council, Mr. John Rennie of Rawdon was made Chairman and Mr. Fred Jackson of Yeadon Vice Chairman.  

May 

At Horsforth, to celebrate the Coronation a shelter was presented by Mr. Mrs. Mathieson. 

An altar reredos at Guisley parish church was dedicated to the late Miss Howson.  The following permanent officials have been appointed to Aireborough Council:  Mr. E Jordan (surveyor) Mr. R T Haley (assistant surveyor) Mr. H Wilson (assistant clerk) Mr. James Farrar (sanitary inspector).  The following collectors were also appointed: Messrs. Westcott (Rawdon) F Chaney (Yeadon) & J Ramsden (Guiseley) 

The Whitsuntide gaiety was subdued at Horsforth by the death of Mr. S M Whitaker. 

June 

Mr. Mrs. Arthur Shore, Hall Lane, Horsforth celebrated their golden wedding. 

July 

At a meeting of Horsforth Council, a chairman’s badge of office was presented to the council by Mr. V Stanley Walker, the father of the present chairman, Mr. R G Walker. 

At the annual hospital at Guiseley, Miss Joan Hawkridge was crowned rose queen.   At the Rawdon Gala, Miss Marjorie Wilkinson was crowned queen of the fete.  

Green Lane players reached the final of the Wharfedale Bowls Merit competition, W Harrison ultimately beating W Howarth.   Horsforth Bowls competition was won by Mr. C Sutcliffe who defeated Mr. A Ward. 

Miss Cowgill, a teacher at Guisley National school retired after 40 years as a teacher in local schools. 

Mr. J T Clayton, Grand Master of the Red Rose Lodge Guiseley was honoured after completing 21 years in office. 

Brothers married sisters in a Yeadon double wedding.  The brothers were Mr. Harry Lawson who married Miss Mary Alice Rhodes and Mr. Willie Lawson who married Miss Evelyn Rhodes. 

August 

At Horsforth the Medical Officer of Health, Dr. H Bailey, presented his annual report, in which he called attention to the many overcrowded houses revealed in the survey. 

Headlines in the national press reported the collision at Dunkirk involving the cross-channel steamer Princess Marie Jose in which two Guiseley brothers, Mr. R H Richardson & Mr. P M Richardson both members of Aireborough Council were travelling to the continent. 

Mr. Mrs. Palliser of Rawdon and Mr. Mrs. D A Smith of Rawdon celebrated their Golden Weddings and Mr. Mrs. B Pilkington of Yeadon celebrated their diamond wedding. 

September 

Rawdon lost “landmark” personality by the death of Mr. Edmund Emsley aged 82.  Horsforth’s Medical Officer of Health.  Dr. Henry Bailey was married at Adel Church to Mrs. E Irwin of Highfield, Woodside.   

At Horsforth Mr. Mrs. Sam Carter celebrated their golden wedding. 

October  

The King & Queen passed through the district on a visit from Harewood to Bradford.  A special place was reserved for 2,000 Aireborough school children at Menston and happiest of all was Brian Nettleton age 8 on a spinal carriage who luckily had a splendid view. 

Mr. C Cordingley handwork master at Aireborough Grammar School since it opened in 1910 retiired. 

An engagement was announced between Dr. William W Pollock of Rawdon and Miss Margaret Yewdall, Horsforth.  The golden wedding of Mr. Mrs. T S Newbould of Little London was celebrated. 

November 

 A new cinema, The Glenroyal opened on New Road Side.  A Horsforth man, Mr. E S C Jackson of Sussex Avenue, ran a quarter of a mile through the streets with a gashed artery caused by a broken bottle and narrowly escaped bleeding to death.  Mr. Mrs. Joshua Briggs of Tranmere Park celebrated their golden wedding.   

Guisley lost a familiar figure with the death of Mr. H Shepherd, newsagent and grocer. 

December 

Horsforth Council unseated member, Mr. F G Bibbings for non-attendance in six monthsAn aeroplane piloted by former a former Yeadon man, Acting Pilot Officer Gordon Dutton, an old scholar of Woodhouse Grove School, lost its way and Dutton was killed when it crashed into a house in Liverpool. 

The sudden death of Mr. R B Thackray of Horsforth was a sad blow to the township.  At Yeadon the death occurred at the age of 62 of Mr. Harry Smith, sometimes spoken of as the “Woolley of Yorkshire Cricket Club.  Mr. Smith was the last of a Yeadon family which produced many fine local cricketers.  Mr. J R Hardaker who died aged 84 had memories of playing before the days of parish matches.