Bert Phillip's Photographer of Wells, Somerset.

At the 2014 'Who Do You Think You Are' event in London there many local history stalls covering Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall.  I made it my mission to visit every one at least twice because I know sometimes when tables are very full things are kept under them until room becomes available.

Due to the hustle and bustle, I almost missed a gentleman 'peddling' his wears.  On the surface of it seemed he was another stall holder selling CD's of parish records or memberships to local societies.

I'm so glad I went back the second time because he had an absolute treasure.  In two rather unassuming hardback folders he had an index of names.  These names corresponded with a set of folders full of 'thumbnail' images.  All these images were taken by Bert Phillips of Wells.  There were literally thousand of images and I was interested to find names that I had been researching and even more excited to see the thumbnail images of those individuals.  I was told the collection spanned about 150 years.  Although I wanted to stay and chat, I was pushed for time so I grabbed a flyer and hurried onto the next stall.

Flyer for Phillips Photgraphers of Wells

 

 Although the studio was based in Wells, the index listed people from all across Somerset and further afield.  If you are researching ancestors from Somerset it may be worth your while contacting The Somerset & Dorset History Society or the Wells & Mendip Museum. (email above).

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Although the 'Who Do You Think You Are' event was in February, I have literally only found the huge bag of brochures, flyers and other bits and pieces I hastily grabbed whilst there. 

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