march 4th 1905 bill to annie jackson nee richardson

cockermouth, cumbria to applethwaite, keswick, cumbria

13 miles

the message

"Anymore word about the byre?

Bill"

the sender

There are now clues to Bill's identity. There are three William's in the extended family (William Dudley (1864-?), William Cobbledick (1855-1930) and William J Cobbledick (1884-?) but they are all living in the Liverpool area around this time.

the recipient

Annie Richardson (1880-1967) was the daughter of John Richardson (1830-1902) and Isabella Martin (1842-1911). In 1881 and 1891 John is listed as an agricultural labourer. In 1901 he is living by his own means. Isabella was a laundress. Perhaps John was unfit for work in his later years and was being supported by his wife.

Anne was also a laundress in 1901. in 1904 she married Thomas Henry Jackson (1875-1945). In 1911 Thomas is listed as a farmer's son working on the farm. In 1939 Thomas was a Garage Proprietor. They had one son, Frank (1906-1990) who was a motor mechanic.

the tree

the places

Cockermouth, Cumbria

Applethwaite, Keswick, Cumbria

what the card says to us

The picture is entitled "Wreck On The Beach" and is by G E Newton, an artist who seems to specialise in stormy seascapes. There is no indication of location.

The message is intriguing and impenetrable. Where is the byre? What is happening to it?