My postcard of the week is a curious thing for a whole variety of reasons. Posted in Dusseldorf, Germany in December 1905, it was addressed - and presumably delivered - to the sparingly described Mrs Roberts of Bramley, Near Rotherham, Yorkshire. The message, as best as I can make it out, is as follows :
"Kaiser Wilhelm Ring 40, Dusseldorf, Obercassel.
A Merry Xmas & Happy New Year. We are settled here for 2 years. We had intended coming north this year, but are postponing it for another year, as we want the children to reap the benefit of the language. We are enjoying the Operas & Concerts. We go once, and sometimes twice a week. Frank understands and speaks a good deal now We have been here 6 weeks now. I have to go backwards and forwards to England pretty often as I am acting Mayoress of (Thorne?) for my brother whose wife is ill. I go over for 2 balls 19th / 20th Jan. Hoping you are all well. Love from us. J A Tilcomb"
And so to the questions. Who was J A Tilcomb and what was she - and presumably her family - doing in Germany in 1905. It would appear that the education of the children rather than employment was a prime factor in the location of the family which heavily hints at some form of independent financial means. The fact that JAT's brother was Mayor of a town (the best interpretation I can make is Thorne which is a town in Yorkshire about ten miles or so away from Rotherham) also suggests a certain social position. The ability to frequently return to England for balls as part of her duties as Acting Mayoress probably means that money is not a major issue. The address that the Tilcombs were staying at seems to be Kaiser Wilhelm Ring 40, Dusseldorf, and if this is the case, the building is still standing and, from what I can see from Google Earth, it is a very substantial residence. But perhaps the most intriguing question is what happened to Frank (the son of the family?) : a young man, fluent in German. Ten years later - in 1915 - where did he find himself? So many questions, so many stories.
 |
| Read other Postcard of the Week posts on News From Nowhere |
 |
| Sign up for Sepia Saturday 25 now |
 |
| New "Then And Now" post available on my Daily Photo Blog |
A very interesting find Alan. Google earth is amazing isn't it? Hope you have a lovely day.
ReplyDeleteIn any case, I think I'd like to have her life. -J
ReplyDeleteDeliciously intriguing!! Mayoress. I love that title. I might just have to become Mayoress of the Manor...heehee.
ReplyDeleteAh Willow, why not Mayoress of Blogland - I would happily nominate you.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful postcard image & a some deep questions about the woman's son--very intriguing post.
ReplyDeleteYes, I want to know the answers to those questions, too! How wonderful to stay a few years in another country just so your child can become fluent in the language...a true gift that I'm sure was useful to him his whole life.
ReplyDeleteLove Google Earth! :)
Very interesting indeed! More genealogical/historical puzzles to solve. Heh, heh! Your sources of mystery are a little more portable than mine.
ReplyDeleteThe family didn't change its name to Von Ribbentrop did it?
ReplyDeleteVery intriguing indeed. Like the Dutchman pic! :) The Bach
ReplyDeleteah fodder for the imagination indeed!
ReplyDeletegreat find for a postcard
The year fits in well with the opulence of the era which comes crashing down with World War 1.
ReplyDeleteJust up my street, Alan. Not currently residing at Bramley, Near Rotherham, Yorkshire, of course!
ReplyDeleteI used to brew my own beer during the 80s. The trouble was, it was too good to leave in the barrel. I hope you'll show more restraint than I ever did.
ReplyDelete