Souvenir Saturday: Arnold family

Julia Elizabeth Jessie Arnold nee Irvine 1865-1940. Julia married
William Marshall Arnold 5 May 1884, St Paul's Cathedral, Durban

 Photographed by W L Caney

Even though a photo may not be in tip-top condition, it's always a pleasure for me to receive photographs which include ALL the clues, including the edges of the card, as square or rounded corners were used at various dates. The mount and back of the photo are as important as the front view showing the subject. These areas often give the studio name - in this case, William Laws Caney. The latter was in Durban 1883 -1893, advertising the 'best lighted and most convenient cabinet portraits available from 1 pound per dozen.' He moved to Pietermaritzburg and was there for some years, in 1909 operating at 208 Church Street.

Acknowledgements: Peter Hare and Dale Schultz

Arnold family: boy in cadet uniform ca 1899 Natal

Cabinet photograph circa 1899 by J Wallace Bradley who operated a studio at 15 Smith Street, Durban from 1894 -1899. The boy could be the eldest son of William Marshall Arnold, George Wilfred.

For more on School Cadets see 
www.fad.co.za/2014/02/21/hool-cadets-the-polliack-silver-bugle-and-polliacks/

For a group photo of Umzinto School Cadets 1897 Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations see
molegenealogy.blogspot.co.za/2016/09/souvenir-saturday-umzinto-school-cadets.html

Acknowledgement: Peter Hare and Dale Schultz

A wedding ... and a drowning: Arnold family 1899 Natal

This delightful wedding photograph (with a glorious collection of hats) taken in Durban by W B Sherwood in 1899 shows members of the Arnold family. The gentleman standing, left, could be William Marshall Arnold and the lady standing far right his wife, Julia nee Irvine, parents of the two little girls. The names of the bride and groom await further research, but the elderly lady seated left is the grandmother of the girls sitting on the floor at front. Her resemblance to the child next to her is very clear.

A tragedy hangs over the happy picture as the two young girls, Eunice and Kathleen Arnold, drowned at Durban on 8 March 1900. The story is that one girl lost her bracelet and they both drowned looking for it. The family had come from Ladysmith to see the arrival in Durban of an unnamed dignitary.

Acknowledgements to Peter Hare and Dale Schultz.