september 30th 1907 emily elizabeth riden to emma riden nee kirkness

liverpool, lancashire

0 miles

the message

“Dear Mother

All right this time

Emily”

the sender

Emily Elizabeth Riden (1877-1941) was the daughter of Arthur William Riden (1850-1879) and Emma Kirkness (1850-1921) . Arthur was a carpenter.

Emily was born in Islington, London. At some point following the death of her father Arthur, the family move to Liverpool. In the 1901 census Emily is listed as a Shop Assistant in a Drapers. The same is true in 1911. In the 1939 Register she is a Shop Assistant in a Ladies Outfitter. Emily did not marry.

the recipient

Emma Riden nee Kirkness (1850-1921) was the daughter of John Everingham Kirkness (1807-1859) and Sarah Pearce (1811-1898). John was a Journeyman Copper Plate Printer.

In 1872 Emma married Arthur William Riden (1850-1879). In the 1871 census Emma is described as a Plumassier. By 1881 this has changed to Feather Curler. In 1911 she is still a Feather Curler.

the tree

the places

Liverpool, Lancashire

what the card says to us

The picture shows Lime Street in the middle of Liverpool and that is where the card was posted. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lime_Street,_Liverpool)

The message is the 1907 equivalent of a text. Short and only meaning something to the two parties concerned. Interesting that it is addressed to “Dear Mother” which is quite formal. In 1907 Emily was 30 years old. What is “all right”? How many times has it not been “all right” in the past?

There are other questions too. Why did the family move to Liverpool in the 1880s-90s? Where were they in 1891 as they do not show up in the census? Had they been abroad? Was Liverpool a good place to be a feather curler? How do you become a feather curler? Why did Emma stop using Plumassier as a job descrtption?