1860's George F. Widnall Family CDV Photos, England to Canada to Penn

#614 Widnall Genealogy:

SOLD: Scans still available for sale below

2 Widnall ID'd CDV Photos:
1. On reverse: "Agnes E. Widnall, Gouldsboro, Penn, U.S." and "Edith Chapman Widnall" is handwritten in fine old dip pen ink script. Photo type: Original Vintage Victorian CDV carte de visite Photograph. Photographer: "From S.S. Hull's Gallery of Art, Wilkes Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. (known to be photographer Sedgwick S. Hull, Sedgwick Hull) This CDV has an orange 2 cent Revenue Stamp, hand cancelled by the photographer's rubber stamp.

2. No handwriting on this CDV. The image is of an 1860's CDV photo which was copied from an earlier 1840-50's daguerreotype or ambrotype Photo. This is of an older gentleman man wearing a silk cravat at his neck, black clothing, and a long ribbon with a prominent gold medal. He holds a book with his name printed on the spine, "GF Widnall." Photo type: Original Vintage Victorian CDV carte de visite Photograph copy of earlier 19th c. photo. Photographer: G.B. Chase, Scranton, Lackawanna County, PA. (known to be photographer George B. Chase, George Chase) This CDV has a green 3 cent Revenue Stamp, ink cancelled.

Revenue Stamp Note: In August 1864 to August 1866, the US government taxed photographs to help pay for the American Civil war. Revenue stamps were placed on the back of photos, and “hand cancelled" by the photographer. CDV's with revenue stamps are collectible for stamp and vintage photography collectors. It is a way to date a Civil War era photograph. Both of these CDV's have revenue stamps.

The Widnall's and their interesting story:
This is curious and interesting 1860's CDV set. In one photo, an older man holds a book, the title of which is upside down and reversed. The book title is GF Widnall. We believe this CDV to be a copy ordered by the family of an earlier 1840-50's ambrotype or daguerreotype photo of English stationer George Frederick Widnall, copied in 1864-66. When copied, it would be seen as reversed. The other CDV is of 2 female Widnall family members, Agnes & Edith, taken in Pennsylvania. This family is of English origin, having moving from near London, to first Canada, and then to Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Their journey would have been long and arduous. We wish we knew more.

In the early part of the 19th century, 1815 and before, G.F. Widnall was a stationer on Edgware Road, in Paddington, London, England. His full name was George Frederick Widnall, son of Simon Widnall and Sophia Chapman Widnall, his parents, who married in Middlesex, Westminster in 1794. We have found evidence of his bankruptcy in Paddington UK public records.

We later find them in Port Hope, Canada, where he is listed as running a school. He is a professor of French, and his daughter and wife are also listed teachers. Port Hope, Northumberland, Ontario, Canada is in Southern Ontario, Canada, about 70 miles east of Toronto. They are soon found again living in Luzerne County Pennsylvania records.

Found in Public Genealogy Records:
Great Britain, England Genealogy Records:
George Frederick Widnall: England Births and Christenings
Christening Date: 25 Jun 1797
Christening Place: Sint Luke, Chelsea, London, England
Father's Name: Simon Widnall
Mother's Name: Sophia Chapman Widnall

His brother: John Samuel Widnall
Christening Date: 08 May 1796
Christening Place: Saint Aanne Soho, Westminster, London, England

George Frederick Widnall in the England Select Marriages, 1538–1973
Marriage Date: 1 Sep 1832
Marriage Place: Saint Anne's Church Soho, Westminster, London, England
Spouse: Elizabeth Girton or Elizabeth Gerton

Wife: Elizabeth Widnoll in the England and Wales Census, 1851
Event Place: Willesden, Middlesex, UK
Registration District: Hendon
Age: 50
Relationship to Head of Household: Wife
Birth Year (Estimated) 1801
Birthplace: Middlesex
Household, Role, Gender, Age, Birthplace
George F Widnoll, Head M, age 33, born Middlesex
Elizabeth Widnoll, Wife F, age 50, born Middlesex
Fanny H Widnoll, Daughter F, age 13, born Chelsea, Middlesex
Agnes E Widnoll, Daughter F, age 11, born Shelford, Nottinghamshire
Elizabeth Widnoll, Daughter F, age 8, born Paddington
William Fairer, Grand Boy M, age 19, born Paddington (Grandson)

GF Widnall in the UK Midlands UK Trade Directories 1770-1941
Region: London & Birmingham
Residence Year: 1839
Publication Title: 1839 Robson's London and Birmingham
Occupation: Wholesale Stationer
Street address: 118 Edgeware Rd, Paddington and 6 Harrow Rd

Bankruptcy: Monday 25 September 1848, Morning Advertiser, London, England: "Order of the Assignees of G.F. Widnall, a Bankrupt. Mr. Price will Sell at Auction, at the Stables on Bell Street, Paddington, on Wednesday, Sept. 27, at 11 for 12 precisely, strong useful Pony and Chaise, Springcart, and Set of Harness."

Their Children in England Births and Christenings 1538-1975 Database:
Daughter: Fanny Noel Widnall (Fanny Widnall)
Birth Date 05 Nov 1836. Christening Date 06 Jan 1837
Christening Place: Saint James, Paddington, London
Father's Name: George Frederick Widnall.
Mother's Name: Elizabeth

Daughter: Emma Sophia Widnall (Emma Widnall)
Christening Date: 02 Oct 1833
Christening Place: Saint James, Paddington, London
Father's Name: George Frederick Widnall
Mother's Name: Elizabeth

Son: Edwin Gainsborough Widnall (Edwin Widnall)
Christening Date: 30 Apr 1835
Christening Place: SAINT JAMES, PADDINGTON, LONDON, ENGLAND
Father's Name: George Frederick Widnall.
Mother's Name: Elizabeth

Daughter: Agnes Elizabeth Widnall (Agnes Widnall)
Birth Date: 22 Feb 1840. Christening Date: 25 Mar 1840
Christening Place: Saint James, Paddington, London
Father's Name: George Frederick Widnall.
Mother's Name: Elizabeth

Daughter: Edith Chapman Widnall (Edith Widnall)
Birth Date: 22 Mar 1842. Christening Date: 19 Aug 1842
Christening Place: Saint James, Paddington, London
Father's Name: George Frederick Widnall.
Mother's Name: Elizabeth

Daughter: Julia Georgiana Widnall (Julia Widnall)
Birth Date: 09 Jul 1838.
Christening Date: 15 Aug 1838
Christening Place: Saint James, Paddington, London, England
Father's Name: George Frederick Widnall.
Mother's Name: Elizabeth

Life in Canada
The Port Hope directory, for 1856-57: containing an alphabetical list of the heads of the families, business men and mechanics, their several places of business and residences. Presented to the LIBRARY of the UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO by Ian Daniel:
1. SELECT SCHOOLS: Mrs. Widnall, Charles Street.
2. BUSINESS DIRECTORY: Brown Street. G. F. Widnall, home on Charles Street. Mrs. Miss Widnall, Mrs. Miss, A Select School, at the residence of G.F. Widnall, home on Charles Street.

1857 Port Hope Directory
Port Hope Canton, Elizabethville, Port Britain, Perrytown 1857-58 Canada Directory
George Widnall, Professor of French, on Ridout Street
Emma Sophia Widnall, Teacher, on Ridout Street

Life in Pennsylvania:
George F Widnall in the 1860 United States Federal Census
Age: 60, Birth Year: abt 1800. Birth Place: England
Home in 1860: Buck, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.
Post Office: Gouldsboro
Household Members: Name, Age
George F Widnall, age 60
wife: Elizabeth Widnall, age 58
Daughter: Edith Widnall, age 16

Agnes E Widnall in the 1870 United States Federal Census
Age in 1870: 27
Birth Year: abt 1843, England
Home in 1870: Buck, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.
Post Office: Gouldsboro
Household Members, Name, Age:
Elizabeth Widnall 8
Agnes E Widnall 27
Edith Widnall 25

Elizabeth Widnall United States Census 1880
Event Place: Lehigh, Lackawanna, Pennsylvania
Age 79
Marital Status: Widowed.
Occupation: Keeping House
Birth Year (Estimated): 1801
Parent's Birthplace: Both England
Elizabeth Widnall, Self F age 79, born England
Edith Widnall, Daughter F age 27, born England

Emma Sophia Widnall Chamberlain 1833-1899
Born 1833, England, died 1899, Pennsylvania
Spouse: Alfred Chamberlain 1823-1889 who was born in PA
Children:
Edwin S. Chamberlain 1865-1926
Edith E. Chamberlain 1866-1884
Arthur G. Chamberlain 1872-1947
Warren Joseph Chamberlain 1875-1955
Buried with husband: Pine Grove Cemetery, Thornhurst, Lackawanna County PA

Edith C Widnall in the Pennsylvania, Death Certificates 1906-1964
Age: 85. Birth Date: 22 Mar 1842
Birth Place: Paddington, London, England
Death Date: 15 Dec, 1927
Death Place: Lehigh, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania
Father: George F. Widnall.
Mother: Elizabeth Gerton Widnall

New Jersey Life:
Widnall Family members buried in Hackensack Cemetery, Bergen County NJ:
Emma F. Widnall 1856-1927, wife of William Widnall, Sr 1845-1921
Edith A. Beck Widnall, 1875-1957, wife of William Widnall, Jr. 1876-1933

We found alternative spellings of this English surname as Widnoll, Widnell and Withnall. The photos were found together in Holt, Norfolk County, England, about 140 miles NW of London. The GF Widnall CDV would be considered an "Occupational", as the book he shows clearly shows his occupation as a publisher and/or stationer.

When paper photography hit the masses in 1859, many families copied their earlier one-of-a-kind daguerreotype and ambrotype family photos, which could then be sent by mail to family members in duplicate. It appears these CDV's were sent back to England to family members or friends.

Note: We have also included an 1873 public records map in scans packet. This is of property owned in 1873 by Mrs GF Widnall in the US Indexed County Land Ownership Maps 1860-1918, in their town of Gouldsboro, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.  A wonderful document to have for this family.

We feel George Widnall died in the 1860's, after moving to Pennsylvania from Canada. Does his original daguerreotype still exist somewhere in the world? We hope so! A rare and beautiful set, with an interesting Widnall family immigrant story. We'd love to know more of the whereabouts of all of his children and life. Any help or correction appreciated, email Debra here.

Size: 2.5 x 4 inches each
        Note: The originals are sold, but you may still purchase large, detailed and intimate 300 dpi high resolution scans of fronts and backs, sent immediately via email. Please check our site carefully, as many may be related to each other that we are unaware of. Click scan to place in your cart. Thank you, enjoy! ~debra (please also join me at Ancestorville Genealogy on facebook. contact info on top bar)