William Garthwaite, portrait and landscape photographer, Grimsby c1880.

The impressive reverse of an original carte de visite (CdV) studio portrait. William Garthwaite was born in Scawby, Brigg in 1842 and was baptised in Brigg on 1st December 1844. His parents were Joseph, a butcher born in Bigby, and Mary (née Weatherhogg), born in South/North Kelsey, who were married in Grayingham on 18th July 1936. In 1861, aged 18, William was a turner and brazier living at his father’s butchery in Brigg. On 27th June 1868, William married Sarah Driffield in Wrawby cum Brigg. In 1871, William and Sarah were working as wire workers in Lincoln. William’s brother, Tom, was living with them. William and Sarah had two small children, Will and Mary. Between c1875 and 1881, William and Sarah Garthwaite were living at 187 Cleethorpe Road, Grimsby. William was working as a photographer. William and Sarah now had six children; Will, Mary, Kate, Herbert, Fred and Joscelyn. Fred and Joscelyn were born in Grimsby. By 1891, the family was living at 105 Convamore Road. William was still a photographer and five of the six children were employed. Joscelyn was still at school. In 1901, William, Sarah, Kate and Joscelyn were living at 51 Hare Street, Grimsby. William was still working as a photographer. Kate was a jacket maker (tailor) and Joscelyn was a ship carpenter. In 1911, William and Sarah had moved next door to 49 Hare Street where 13 people lived. William, aged 71, was trying his hand as a Hokey Pokey maker (boiled sweet manufacturer). Sarah, now 74, had been totally blind since her 68th birthday. William Garthwaite, aged 72, died on 30th September 1914. Sarah, of 43 Peaksfield Avenue, died on 17th June 1920, aged 83. They are both buried in Scartho Road Cemetery. Note: In 1889, William Garthwaite, trading as the ‘Garthwaite Patent Company’ got himself into financial difficulties. It appears that William was something of an inventor! Research by Grimsby & Cleethorpes Museum.