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  4. Cardiff, St Mary Street 1893

Cardiff, St Mary Street 1893
Photo ref: 32677
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Photo ref: 32677
Photo of Cardiff, St Mary Street 1893
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More about this scene

The photographer has certainly attracted a sizeable group of curious onlookers in this scene dominated by James Howell's store (right). The draper's original Cardiff premises opened in the Hayes in 1865 employing a mere five assistants. Relocating to St Mary Street in 1867 and the shrewd acquisition of adjoining premises allowed the frontage that we see here, constructed in 1879. Only a year prior to our photograph the store expanded 'inwardly' to Trinity Street. The farmer's son from Pembrokeshire was on course to create Wales' premier department store.

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A Selection of Memories from Cardiff

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our website to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was, prompted by the photographs in our archive. Here are some from Cardiff

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Posh Building, Poor Times
My mother was from Newtown in Cardiff, near the docks. It was a community of very poor Irish immigrants. My great grandmother had a job cleaning the City Hall. She would walk through Cardiff in the early morning and do her work which included polishing the steps then walk all the way back home again, a good few miles. On the way she would stop at her friend's house and her friend would make her a cup of ...see more
Cardiff, City Hall, Law Courts 1906
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Added 07 April 2013

Death Of A Stone Mason
Our great grandfather was a stone mason named William Jones. His daughter, our grandmother, told us many years ago that her father was killed in a fall while working on the construction of the City Hall. It had to be after January 1900 as he was present at Grans' wedding in Jan 1900. I have been unable to confirm the happening of this accident. Can anyone help me? I now live in Western Australia so it ...see more
Cardiff, City Hall, Law Courts 1906
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Added 12 August 2012

My Great Grandfather James
My Great Grandfather James Miles died in the Infirmary, aged 40. He was a Labourer in the Cardiff Ironworks. I never knew any of my family, but when I read of where they lived, and worked and died, I feel so proud of them.
Cardiff, the Infirmary 1893
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Added 19 April 2010

Grandparents
My Grandparents William Garside and Evelyn Bowden were married on 29th February 1896 in Cardiff and Grandad lived in Roath prior to his marriage. I imagine they may have also stood in this spot when courting, looking quite similar.
Cardiff, Couple by Roath Park Lake 1896
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Added 28 August 2008

More about Image Optimisation

All our photos are printed as optimised versions of their originals, this process can take anything from 15 minutes to several hours. This ensures that the product you get shows the true quality that Frith photos are renowned for.

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Genealogy & Research Images

Despite over 20 years’ work on the archive, these scans have still not been individually checked and may prove to be damaged, faded, or not of sufficient quality to ever be offered in our full product range. However, if you would particularly like to buy one of these please get in touch quoting the Frith negative number,(s) the town name and size of print you would like to buy. On receipt of your enquiry our archivist will check the scan and advise you if the quality is good enough.

What is an Album?

An album is a way to save a selection of Frith photos, maps and memories that are of interest to you.

Creating an Album enables you to make short lists and then make a final selection from the album. In particular it makes ordering things like calendars much easier - simply create an Album of the 12 photos you like and then use the Album when placng your order - our order process will give you this option.

You can create as many Albums as you want, so perhaps make one for your hometown, where you live now, where your parents live now etc.