Early New Zealand Photographers: 2020

Woolley, George Ernest

George Ernest Woolley
born 10 May 1877 - died 2 June 1952

Portrait of George Ernest Woolley and his wife, Annie Nellie Woolley. Date unknown. Image kindly provided by Janet Watkins (December 2018). Image has no known copyright restrictions.
photograph from Online Cenotaph

The Art Studio
Whangarei

Adele Younghusband and George Ernest Woolley

reverse inscription "James E. Harris, 1927"

[purchased December 2020]

reverse inscription "1927 M. E. H."

[purchased December 2020]

reverse inscription "1927 M. E. H."

[purchased December 2020]

reverse inscription "1927 M. E. H."

[purchased December 2020]

Bell's Camera House

Bell's Camera House
Wellington, Wanganui, Waiouru Military Camp

Gordon Harry Moreland by Bell's Camera House

reverse inscription "628969 Spr. G. H. Moreland"

[purchased December 2020]

RENDELL, Robert John

Robert John Rendell

Hamilton, N.Z.

died 5 September 1941 Tauranga

Kirkman, Joseph

Joseph Kirkman

Union Photographic Portrait Studio

Junction of Grey and Pitt Streets, Auckland

J. Kirkman, Manager

Joseph Kirkman born circa 1832, died 23 April 1887 at his residence Mount Eden, Auckland aged 55 years [1], buried 25 April 1887 Waikumete Cemetery, Roman Catholic Division A, Row 1, Plot 31, married 1stly Louisa Lee born circa 1841, died 10 January 1866, North Side, Greenpoint, Cape Town, South Africa, married [?] 2ndly Harriett Ann Humphries, married 2ndly or 3rdly Eliza Brennan [or Elizabeth Mary Brennan] born circa 1839, died 10 April 1899 at her residence Mount Eden Road, Auckland aged 60 years, reg. 1899/1940, buried Waikumete Cemetery, Roman Catholic Division A, Row 1, Plot 31 [her sister was Johanna Brennan or Johanna Brennan spinster of Mt Eden in 1899, died 19 January 1901 Auckland, buried Waikumete Cemetery, Roman Catholic Division A, Row 2, Plot 109]

issue:

1. Arnold Joseph Kirkman of Mossel Bay, South Africa born circa January 1858, Mowbray, Western Cape, South Africa, died 2 April 1892, Mossel Bay, Western Cape, South Africa

2. Josephine Louisa Kirkman (Mrs Fisher) wife of Walter Fisher, butcher, Auckland, born circa 1863, died 30 October 1901, Arden Street, Little Coogee, Sydney, New South Wales

issue:

Walter Joseph Arnold Fisher born circa 1883, reg. 1883/10156
Clifton Fisher born circa 1885, reg. 1885/1036
Stanley Ruper Fisher born circa 1888. reg. 1888/16822

3. Harold John Kirkman born 1866 Capetown, South Africa, died 17 June 1942 Hastings aged 76 years, reg. 1942/21209, married 8 August 1893, reg. 1893/4018, Sarah Ann Lansdown

issue:

Ellen Kirkman born circa 1894, reg. 1894/4928
Mildred Lucy Kirkman born circa 1895, reg. 1895/9736
Josephine Annie Kirkman born circa 1897, reg. 1897/1215
Jane Kirkman born circa 1898, reg. 1898/7397
Richard Arnold Kirkman born circa 1901, reg. 1901/3598
Frank Kirkman born circa 1902, reg. 1902/10191
Dorothy Doris Kirkman born circa 1903, reg. 1903/8016
Harold John Kirkman born circa 1906, reg. 1906/6837
Elise Kirkman born circa 1908, reg. 1908/13077
Charles Eres Kirkman born circa 1910, reg. 1910/20262
Marjory Kirkman born circa 1912, reg. 1912/28435
Aubrey Kirkman born circa 1913, reg. 1913/20441

Obituary

Mr. H. J. Kirkman. The death has occurred of Mr. Harold John Kirkman, a well-known settler of Mangateretere. Born in Cape Town in 1872 [sic], Mr. Kirkman came to New Zealand 50 [sic] years ago, having resided in the Hawke’s Bay district for practically the whole period. Before taking up property at Mangateretere 35 years ago, he lived at Omarunui, Ruketapu and Papakura. For many years he was engaged in fruit-growing, being one of the best known growers of the district. Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 144, 22 June 1942, Page 1

South Africa

1859

Joseph Kirkman was a commercial photographer active in South Africa. In 1859 he opened a studio in Greenmarket Street, Cape Town. For a time he was in partnership with William Barclay. In 1860 Kirkman and Frederick York were employed by the Government and the Harbour Board to photograph the tilting of the first truck of stone off the Breakwater by Prince Alfred. In 1866 Kirkman disposed of his studio negatives to Lawrence and Selkirk. He set up a studio in George in 1867, but in December 1868 he returned to Cape Town with a studio at 2 Adderley Street. Kirkman's attempt to reestablish himself was not successful. He retired from professional photography in 1870 and left for New Zealand in 1879 (Bull and Denfield 1970, p.201). University of Cambridge, Archive Search.

Auckland, New Zealand

about 1879 - about 1884

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 4322, 24 March 1884

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 41, 18 February 1889

unidentified couple photographed by the Union Photographic Portrait Studio

[1] Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 98, 27 April 1887

updated 3 January 2023

Slack, John Alfred

John Alfred Slack

John Alfred Slack son of Edwin Slack (ironmoulder) and Mary Cantrill [1], baptised 30 July 1858 St. Stephen's, Sheffield, arrived New Zealand circa 1883, returned to England circa 1899, died after 1933, England, married 7 January 1885 at the residence of the bridegroom, Gisborne, New Zealand by the Rev. G. W. J. Spence to Amy Mildred Bradford, youngest daughter of the late Samuel Bradford of Clonmel, Ireland [2]

issue:

1. Archibald Alfred Slack born circa 1885, reg. 1885/17616

2. John Bradford Slack born 8 June 1889 Mount Eden Road, Auckland, reg. 1889/7486

Gladstone Road

Gisborne

1883-1885

Mr A. Slack, photographic artist, who has gained considerable experience in the best English establishments in all branches of the profession, has just arrived from England, and has decided to take up his residence in Gisborne. He announces that he will shortly open his studio in Gladstone road.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume X, Issue 1954, 23 June 1883

Mr. Slack's photographic studio will be opened to-morrow. It is situated in the Gladstone Road, adjacent to Mr. Aislabie's shop. The studio is tastefully fitted up and the appliances for photographic purposes are on the latest and most approved principles. Mr. Slack is very clever in all branches of the photographic art,

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume X, Issue 1995, 10 August 1883

Mr. Slack, photographer, opened his new studio and commenced business in Gisborne this morning. His apparatus is a perfect one, and the studio is very tastefully fitted up. As an example of the lightning rapidity in which the portraits are taken by the instantaneous process, we were shown to-day a photograph of a leading member of our staff, on the table alongside him being a copy of this journal. The visitor had dropped into the studio on business totally unconnected with either photography or journalism. "Be seated a second," said the artist, and the visitor obeyed. "You see that circle, projecting from that box on three legs," said the artist —" it is the latest invention in cameras." The visitor looked, and as quick as thought the artist removed a cap and replaced it again. The time of the visit had not extended over two or three minutes, when, to the surprise of the visitor, an excellent photograph of himself and of the Poverty Bay Herald were shown him. These were the first subjects " immortalised" by the new photographer at his studio.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume X, Issue 1996, 11 August 1883

Pitt Street

Auckland

1889-1896

Mr J. A. Slack, photographer, Pitt-street, possesses very high credentials, having been articled to Vincent Hatch, Huddersfield, and was for four years operator and retoucher to A. and G. Taylor, photographer to the Queen. Mr Slack makes copying and enlarging a specialty.

Observer, Volume XI, Issue 633, 14 February 1891

346 Queen Street

Auckland

1896-1899

1901 - Rotherham, Yorkshire, dentist aged 43 at residence of Margaret Bradford, his sister-in-law
1911 - Wickersley, Yorkshire, artificial tooth manufacturer aged 52 years, widower

Family of Edwin Slack (ironmoulder) born 1826 Kimberworth, Yorkshire and Mary Cantrill born 1827 Sheffield Yorkshire

1. Joseph Cantrell Slack born 1849 Sheffield, Yorkshire

2. Frederick Slack born 1850 Sheffield, Yorkshire

3. Frances Ann Slack born 1852 Sheffield, Yorkshire

4. Richard Edmund Slack born 1854 Derby, Yorkshire

5. Edward Arthur Slack (printer) born circa 1855, Derby, England, arrived New Zealand circa 1880 died 13 May 1933 Auckland Hospital aged 78 years, buried 14 May 1933 Purewa, Auckland

6. John Alfred Slack of Wickersby near Rotherham [1933], born 1858 Sheffield, Yorkshire

7. Thomas Slack born 1860 Sheffield, Yorkshire

8. Alice Slack of Maltby, Rotherham [1933], born 1861 Rotherham, Yorkshire

9. William Henry Slack born 1863 Rotherham, Yorkshire

10. Caroline Slack "Carrie" of Maltby, Rotherham [1933], born 1867, Rotherham, Yorkshire

11. Ada Slack of Rotherham [1933], born circa 1870 Rotherham, Yorkshire

12. Archie Slack of Rotherham [1933]

Hector Lennox Johnson, nephew

[1] New Zealand Probate records 1933, Edward Arthur Slack, P52797/33-P52860/33

[2] Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4190, 15 January 1885

McDermott, Saul

Saul McDermott

Saul McDermott born 6 July 1850 Auckland, died 28 June 1908 Auckland.

Mr. Saul McDermott, who was born in Auckland 58 years ago, passed away at Nurse Jones' Home, at Ponsonby, yesterday afternoon. Mr. McDermott was stricken down with paralysis over two years ago, and since then had been a comparative invalid. He had a large circle of friends. The funeral takes place at Waikumete to-morrow afternoon.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13788, 29 June 1908

Notice - The Partnership heretofore existing between us, under the style or firm of "Evans and McDermott," Photographers, is hereby dissolved by mutual consent at Auckland, this 15th day of October, 1875.
T. Seddon Evans,
Saul McDermott.

I have this day sold to my late partner, Mr. Saul McDermott, all my interest in the goodwill, stock-in-trade, &c, of the Photographic Business hitherto carried on by us jointly. Mr. S. McDermott will carry on the business in future, and pay and received all debts due by or to the late firm T . Seddon Evans. Auckland, October 15, 1875.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1774, 21 October 1875, Page 3

Christchurch Fancy Bazaar

Colombo St, Christchurch.

William John Grand

James Elsbee and Daniel Mundy's negatives were acquired by William John Grand.

Press, Volume XVII, Issue 2344, 29 October 1870, Page 3

above - these two photographs show Edward Duffull who was born in London in 1850 and died in 1906 at Springston.

above - this photograph shows Sarah Ann Harris the older sister of Edward Duffull. Sarah was born in Croydon, Surrey in 1844 and came to New Zealand with her family on the ship "Egmont" in 1856 when she was aged 12. In 1867 she married Nathaniel Harris; she is pictured here with their first two children Harry and Jessie, twins born in Christchurch in 1868. Sarah died aged 79 in 1923 and is buried in Timaru Cemetery.

above - two photographs of the same unidentified lady.

above - 1873 Walter J. L. Barnett, Leeston

Walter John Lawry Barnett born 12 June 1867, reg. 1867/23028 son of Gertrude Lawry and John Barnett, died 13 August 1916 Woodend, reg. 1916/9269 aged 49 years, married 1903, reg. 1903/207 Julia Winchester.