Introduction

When my grandmother, Jane Low [nee Welch] died in 1962, she left behind a small album of hand-drawn sketches she was given in 1913. The album passed to my mother and has been in the family since then. It came to light again in November 2009 when my mother decided to sort out the small filing box of memorabilia she had in a cupboard. I was lucky enough to be shown the album and feel it is of sufficient interest to publish more widely. The sketches are delightful in their simplicity; they are a record of life in the early 1900s.

Although reproduced here at a low resolution, they have been gathered together in an album where each picture can be examined in detail. Some, where the artist is known, have been embellished with a small portrait photograph. The album can be reached from the "Media" dropdown menu above, clicking "Albums" and then "The Welch Family scrapbook" or from the "Albums" link in the left hand navigation bar.

Sketches by the family

I have divided the sketches into two sections; the first group displayed here where the identity of the artist is known. Jane's parents were Wylam Welch and Ellen Offenberg. It became something of a family tradition for names to be passed on to following generations. If you can enlighten us or offer corrections we are always keen to hear from you.

Wylam Welch was Jane's brother, younger by one year. He enlisted into the Army in World War I and spent some time as a German prisoner of war. These drawings are from about that time. The portrait of the girl is untitled but is there a possible family resemblance and could this be an image of his sister?

Walter Offenberg Welch was Jane's brother - the younger by eleven years. Louis Offenberg was Jane's cousin, the son of her uncle (also named Louis) and Annie Brown. He was born in 1904. Jane married Peter Low in 1916.

Continued in column 2...

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There is strong circumstantial evidence to identify the two Miller pictures. Jane's aunt, Frances Pinkney Offenberg, married William Miller in South Shields in the first quarter of 1906. Although her husband is not mentioned in the census of 1911, the then Frances Miller was living with her son and sister, Jane Offenberg, at 71 Fort Street, South Shields. Ten years previously, William Miller had been living with his family at 42 Fort Street, South Shields. He had a brother Joseph (b 1882) who was a steam boat labourer and four other siblings. It is of interest that William's father was also called Joseph (b 1851) and was a Tyne River Policeman. The drawing of Devils Water, Corbridge looks to me like a fairly mature work. Joseph senior was still alive (and retired) in 1911 - now living at 24 Fort Street (just as likely the same house but the street had been renumbered). Joseph jnr is also there, single, and an insurance clerk.

Artists unknown

This second section displays images where there is no identifying mark or the signature is not known to current members of the family. The 1911 census lists 21 year old John Martin Lewthwaite, a clerk in an Engineering and Shipbuiding Works, living in James Mather Terrace which ran parallel to Mile End Road. We have found no other connection with the family. Could J.M. (of "Modern Styles") be Joseph Miller (father or son) discussed above.

Added November 20th 2009
Latest update: March 21st 2012

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