Uncategorized – Page 2 – Connections in time: The Barber postcards

Summer 1914 – a postcard from Brussels

March 27, 2020March 15, 2020 familyhistoryfootstepsLeave a comment

There are no cards posted in 1913 in the collection. When I checked the records on Ancestry I found that Annie Barber’s mother, Frances Catherine Crerar (nee Newland) died in January 1913 and Annie’s sister, Mary, died in December that year. Perhaps very few postcards were received during a sad year for the family.

The next postcard was sent from “DM” to George Barber at his work address in London. Presumably DM was a work colleague: there is no message just “compliments”. Unusually, the stamp has been removed – someone must have been interested in collecting a stamp from Belgium.

The card shows a busy scene at the Place Rogier and the Gare du Nord

1912 – a postcard from Whitby

March 13, 2020March 13, 2020 familyhistoryfootstepsLeave a comment

This card, sent by Nell to George Barber in August 1912 shows the ruins of Whitby Abbey and the Old Cross. I wonder whether “Nell” is George’s sister, Ellen Emily, who would have been about 25 in 1912. The 1911 census shows that she was living with her parents and brothers at 18 Moffat Road, Palmers Green – very close to George, Annie and Winnie.

The message reads:

“Dear George, Have had such a good time.

Am really sorry that my time is almost over.

Yours affectionately, Nell”

An intriguing card from the “Grande Exposition”

January 3, 2020January 1, 2020 familyhistoryfootstepsLeave a comment

Barber 4 front008

This card was sent from “Aunty Mary” to Annie Barber in July 1909. Annie was staying in Southend .

Barber 4 back009

The message reads

Dear Annie

So glad you are having fine weather. Kitty and I are going to see the Fleet on the Thames embankment today.

Love from Aunty Mary

Although the image on the card is interesting and needs more research, it is Aunty Mary’s comment about going to see the Fleet on the Thames which brings us to what must have been an amazing experience.

Wikimedia Commons provides the following information about this important occasion:

“In the week from Saturday 17th July to Saturday 24th July 1909, ships from the Home and Atlantic Fleets were moored along the Thames from Westminster Bridge to the Nore Lightship in the estuary, some forty five miles. The larger ships, the Battleships and HMS Dreadnought were moored near Southend and the smaller ships further upstream. It was the first time there had been a Naval Pageant of such magnitude on the Thames. The timing of the pageant was thought by some to be linked with the vote in the House of Commons due on the 22nd July about the question of whether to build further Dreadnought class Battleships, happily the vote was passed and Britain was ready for what was to come in the First World War.”

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