Birch Photo Album from Charity Shop

ID: SLV

Abstract

This family photo album from the 1930's was found in a charity shop in Southampton around 2005 and was donated to Mersea Museum in 2021.

The main clues as to its source were the names of two houses - Sylvia Cottage which takes us to Hardy's Green, Birch, and Stamps and Crows which is in nearby Layer Breton. The photos that have dates are all 1928 to 1930. Sylvia Cottage soon takes us to the Roberts family who lived there. The connection with Stamps and Crows has not yet been found

William and Georgina Roberts lived in No. 1 Sylvia Cottages in 1929. It is thought the captions were written by their son Clifford Francis Roberts 1912 - 1995. Clifford had a sister Elsie who is in some of the photographs. William's brother Edward had married Georgina's sister Henrietta in Birch in 1906 and were living in Priory Cottages, Hardy's Green. They had three children - Bertie William born 28 Feb 1907 who married Evelyn and lived next-door-but-one in Priory Cottages, Francis Charles born c1909, and Christine born c1915. 'Chriss' or 'Chrissie' married John Drain (or Drane) in 1938 and appears in several photographs.

There are more names to puzzle over one day - babies Rhoda and Beryle, Will and Nell, Bill and Suzie, Amy, Florrie at The Cloisters in Colchester ...

Source

Mersea Museum

SLV

Related Images:

ImageID:

SLV_003_001

Title:

Stamps and Crows, Birch [Layer Breton, on the edge of the Heath]

In Photo Album from Charity Shop

Source:

Mersea Museum

Sylvia Cottages, Hardy's Green, Birch.
</p><p>The cottages were built in 1910, probably for the Birch Hall estate. Charles James Round of Birch Hall married Sylvia de Zoete of Layer Marney in 1910, and the cottages would have been named to commemorate the event. SLV_003_003

ImageID:

SLV_003_003

Title:

Sylvia Cottages, Hardy's Green, Birch.

The cottages were built in 1910, probably for the Birch Hall estate. Charles James Round of Birch Hall married Sylvia de Zoete of Layer Marney in 1910, and the cottages would have been named to commemorate the event.

Source:

Mersea Museum

Granny and Grand dad - in Photo Album from Charity Shop
</p><p>Thought to be Ezra Williamson and Regina Sarah née Scillitoe formerly Hull who did not live in Birch. They are step-father and mother of Georgina Roberts née Hull who lived at Sylvia Cottages, Birch.
Ezra was a horseman and moved around, Coggeshall, Ingatestone. He and Regina were both born in Earls Colne as was her first husband, Oliver Hull, who was a woodman. Ezra witnessed the wedding of step daughter Henrietta Hull in Birch when she married Edward Roberts in 1906.
</p> <p> Regina and her first husband Oliver (a woodman) had 3 girls who appear in this story - Georgina, Henrietta and Annis known as Nancy. SLV_003_005

ImageID:

SLV_003_005

Title:

Granny and Grand dad - in Photo Album from Charity Shop

Thought to be Ezra Williamson and Regina Sarah née Scillitoe formerly Hull who did not live in Birch. They are step-father and mother of Georgina Roberts née Hull who lived at Sylvia Cottages, Birch.
Ezra was a horseman and moved around, Coggeshall, Ingatestone. He and Regina were both born in Earls Colne as was her first husband, Oliver Hull, who was a woodman. Ezra witnessed the wedding of step daughter Henrietta Hull in Birch when she married Edward Roberts in 1906.

Regina and her first husband Oliver (a woodman) had 3 girls who appear in this story - Georgina, Henrietta and Annis known as Nancy.

Source:

Mersea Museum

Dad & Mum - in Photo Album from Charity Shop
</p><p>
William Frederick Roberts and Georgina née Hull, who lived in Sylvia Cottages, Birch in 1911 [Census] and were still there in 1929 [Electoral Roll] SLV_003_007

ImageID:

SLV_003_007

Title:

Dad & Mum - in Photo Album from Charity Shop

William Frederick Roberts and Georgina née Hull, who lived in Sylvia Cottages, Birch in 1911 [Census] and were still there in 1929 [Electoral Roll]

Source:

Mersea Museum

Bert, George & G. Dad - in Photo Album from Charity Shop
</p><p>Bertie William Roberts was son of Edward Roberts and Georgina née Hull. Bertie married Evelyn. was living Priory Cottages Hardy's Green in 1939. Henrietta was sister to Georgina Roberts née Hull and Edward brother to William Roberts, both living at Sylvia Cottages. SLV_004_001

ImageID:	SLV_004_001
Title:	Bert, George & G. Dad - in Photo Album from Charity Shop Bertie William Roberts was son of Edward Roberts and Georgina née Hull. Bertie married Evelyn. was living Priory Cottages Hardy's Green in 1939. Henrietta was sister to Georgina Roberts née Hull and Edward brother to William Roberts, both living at Sylvia Cottages.
Date:	1930
Source:	Mersea Museum

Four Generations
</p><p>In Photo Album from Charity Shop SLV_004_003

ImageID:	SLV_004_003
Title:	Four Generations In Photo Album from Charity Shop
Date:	June 1930
Source:	Mersea Museum

The photo is labelled Bert, Alec & Grand dad in the Photo Album, but it looks rather like a boy and a cat. Thought to be Clifford Roberts. SLV_004_005

ImageID:	SLV_004_005
Title:	The photo is labelled "Bert, Alec & Grand dad" in the Photo Album, but it looks rather like a boy and a cat. Thought to be Clifford Roberts.
Source:	Mersea Museum

Elsie & Chriss - in Photo Album from Charity Shop
</p><p>Elsie May Roberts born c1904 in Birch, daughter of William Frederick and Georgina Roberts. SLV_004_007

ImageID:	SLV_004_007
Title:	Elsie & Chriss - in Photo Album from Charity Shop Elsie May Roberts born c1904 in Birch, daughter of William Frederick and Georgina Roberts.
Date:	1930
Source:	Mersea Museum

Alec and Elsie - in Photo Album from Charity Shop
</p><p>Alec William Burmby 31 married Elsie May Roberts 28 at Birch Parish Church 24 December 1932. He was a Labourer, son of John Burmby. She was daughter of William Frederick Roberts.

They had two sons, Alan W. born 1938 and Peter 1941 - 1976. In 1939 they were living in Birch Street. When Elsie died in 1977 she was living in Wayside, Birch Street. SLV_005_001

ImageID:	SLV_005_001
Title:	Alec and Elsie - in Photo Album from Charity Shop Alec William Burmby 31 married Elsie May Roberts 28 at Birch Parish Church 24 December 1932. He was a Labourer, son of John Burmby. She was daughter of William Frederick Roberts. They had two sons, Alan W. born 1938 and Peter 1941 - 1976. In 1939 they were living in Birch Street. When Elsie died in 1977 she was living in Wayside, Birch Street.
Date:	1930
Source:	Mersea Museum

Chriss Roberts and her Dad Edward Roberts - in Photo Album from Charity Shop
</p><p>
Christine Roberts was born c1915, daughter of Edward Roberts. She married John William Drain, 27, at Birch Parish Church 8 Jan 1938. In 1929 Edward Roberts and Henrietta his wife were living at Priory Cottages, Hardy's Green [Electoral Roll]. SLV_005_003

ImageID:	SLV_005_003
Title:	Chriss Roberts and her Dad Edward Roberts - in Photo Album from Charity Shop Christine Roberts was born c1915, daughter of Edward Roberts. She married John William Drain, 27, at Birch Parish Church 8 Jan 1938. In 1929 Edward Roberts and Henrietta his wife were living at Priory Cottages, Hardy's Green [Electoral Roll].
Date:	1930
Source:	Mersea Museum

Alec & Elsie - in Photo Album from Charity Shop SLV_005_007

ImageID:	SLV_005_007
Title:	Alec & Elsie - in Photo Album from Charity Shop
Source:	Mersea Museum

Florrie - taken at The Cloisters, Colchester SLV_006_003

ImageID:	SLV_006_003
Title:	Florrie - taken at The Cloisters, Colchester
Date:	1930
Source:	Mersea Museum

The garden at The Cloisters Colchester
</p><p>Probably now 94 Maldon Road, Colchester SLV_006_005

ImageID:	SLV_006_005
Title:	The garden at The Cloisters Colchester Probably now 94 Maldon Road, Colchester
Date:	c1930
Source:	Mersea Museum

Mum, Aunt Ettie & Aunt Nance
</p><p>Three sisters. Georgina Roberts née Hull, Henrietta Roberts née Hull (sister of Georgina, married to Edward Roberts who is brother of Georgina's husband William.), and Annis known as Nancy. SLV_009_001

ImageID:

SLV_009_001

Title:

Mum, Aunt Ettie & Aunt Nance

Three sisters. Georgina Roberts née Hull, Henrietta Roberts née Hull (sister of Georgina, married to Edward Roberts who is brother of Georgina's husband William.), and Annis known as Nancy.

Source:

Mersea Museum

ImageID:

SLV_009_003

Title:

Elsie, Mum & Rhoda

Elsie Burmby née Roberts, Georgina Roberts née Hull, Rhoda (daughter of Elsie and Alec ?)

Source:

Mersea Museum

At Sylvia Cottages, Hardy's Green, Birch
</p><p>
Back L-R 1., 2. Beryle, 3. Georgina Roberts née Hull, 4.
Front Granny SLV_010_001

ImageID:	SLV_010_001
Title:	At Sylvia Cottages, Hardy's Green, Birch Back L-R 1., 2. Beryle, 3. Georgina Roberts née Hull, 4. Front Granny
Date:	1929
Source:	Mersea Museum

Getting morning wood - in Photo Album from Charity Shop SLV_011_001

ImageID:	SLV_011_001
Title:	Getting morning wood - in Photo Album from Charity Shop
Source:	Mersea Museum

Alec & Cliff
</p><p>
Alec Burmby and Clifford Roberts SLV_011_005

ImageID:	SLV_011_005
Title:	Alec & Cliff Alec Burmby and Clifford Roberts
Date:	1930
Source:	Mersea Museum

ImageID:

SLV_012_003

Title:

At Shenfield

In Photo Album from Charity Shop

Source:

Mersea Museum

Granny
</p><p>In Photo Album of Hardys Green photographs from Charity Shop SLV_012_005

ImageID:	SLV_012_005
Title:	Granny In Photo Album of Hardys Green photographs from Charity Shop
Date:	1928
Source:	Mersea Museum

Beryle
</p><p>In Photo Album of Hardys Green photographs from Charity Shop SLV_012_007

ImageID:	SLV_012_007
Title:	Beryle In Photo Album of Hardys Green photographs from Charity Shop
Date:	1929
Source:	Mersea Museum

ImageID:	SLV_013_003
Title:	Miss Nichols
Date:	1930
Source:	Mersea Museum

Don't forget my cartridges please Alec.
</p><p>In Photo Album from Charity Shop SLV_013_005

ImageID:	SLV_013_005
Title:	Don't forget my cartridges please Alec. In Photo Album from Charity Shop
Date:	1930
Source:	Mersea Museum

ImageID:	SLV_013_007
Title:	Will & Nell
Source:	Mersea Museum

ImageID:	SLV_016_001
Title:	Mrs Burmby
Date:	1930
Source:	Mersea Museum

Alec
</p><p>In Photo Album from Charity Shop SLV_016_003

ImageID:	SLV_016_003
Title:	Alec In Photo Album from Charity Shop
Date:	1930
Source:	Mersea Museum

Nell and Baby Congerve [ or Congreve ] SLV_017_001

ImageID:	SLV_017_001
Title:	Nell and Baby Congerve [ or Congreve ]
Source:	Mersea Museum

ImageID:

SLV_017_003

Title:

Elsie & Baby Congreve

In Photo Album from Charity Shop

Source:

Mersea Museum

ImageID:

SLV_017_005

Title:

Amy

In Photo Album from Charity Shop

Source:

Mersea Museum

The caption in the photo album is Beryle but she is only a baby in the rest of the album. SLV_017_007

ImageID:	SLV_017_007
Title:	The caption in the photo album is Beryle but she is only a baby in the rest of the album.
Source:	Mersea Museum

ImageID:	SLV_018_001
Title:	Alec Burmby
Source:	Mersea Museum

At Clacton
Alec & Elsie Burmby ? SLV_018_003

ImageID:	SLV_018_003
Title:	At Clacton Alec & Elsie Burmby ?
Source:	Mersea Museum

ImageID:	SLV_018_005
Title:	Bill
Source:	Mersea Museum

ImageID:	SLV_018_007
Title:	Bill and Susie
Source:	Mersea Museum