July 22nd 1912 ann james nee greenup to mary greenup nee gate

blackpool, lancashire to wigton, cumbria

96 miles

the message

"Sorry our holiday is drawing to a close. We intend leaving tomorrow evening. Have been to Lytham this afternoon. Had lovely weather since we came. There are a good many Carlisle people here. Joseph feels much better. Perhaps you will be coming later on.

Ann J"

the sender

Ann James nee Greenup (1844-1920) was the daughter of William Greenup (1807-1885) and Letitia Greenup (1817-1898). Greenup is a common surname in Caldbeck, Wigton, Cumbria.  William was a joiner. In 1875 she married Joseph James (1841-1892) whose occupation is recorded as a Relieving Officer, which means that he was responsible for distributing relief to the poor of the parish.

the recipient

Mary Greenup nee Gate (1856-1925) was the daughter of Joseph Gate (1821-1912) and Mary Wilkinson (1825-1901). Joseph was a farmer. 

In 1887 she married John Greenup (1843-1921). John was a joiner by trade. He was also the sister of the sender of the card.

the tree

the places

Blackpool, Lancashire

Caldbeck, Wigton, Cumbria

what the card says to us

The card looks like a remembrance card, but it isn't. It's a friendship card. The big question is, if you are sending a holiday postcard from Blackpool, why would you send one like this instead of a picture of the tower (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackpool_Tower).

Otherwise it is a straightforward holiday card. The key points being that Joseph William James (1881-1953), then 31, was feeling better, the weather in Blackpool in July 1912 was good, and there were lots of visitors from Carlisle. It is not clear whether this is a good or a bad thing.

And the background to the Greenup and Gate families revealed that there were an awful lot of Greenups in the Caldbeck area in 1912.