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Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



Wigan Album

All Saints Sunday School Youth Club

5 Comments

'From Riches to Rags'
'From Riches to Rags'
Photo: Christine Ward
Views: 2,600
Item #: 13781
Connie Ward, James Magnall(junior) Thomas Magnall and Harrold Magnall. Photograph taken at 5 Edwin St. Ince. Note this families poor situation yet James Junior is wearing a gold watch and chain.

Comment by: Christine Ward on 27th February 2010 at 20:40

Sorry about the heading, not All Saints Sunday School Youth Club, but this should be All Names.

Comment by: Dennis Miller on 28th February 2010 at 08:18

I do note the watch and chain...

I would venture a guess the dad was deceased when this shot was taken? The watch and chain was something only the man of the house would have... for the purposes of pawning until payday, the 'kettle and rope' got a few families through hungry days, and it was always guarded and passed on to the eldest... but it was never sold outright.

That is a lovely photograph, the ladies eyes say it all... she is not smiling, she is crying inside, wondering what is ahead.

Comment by: henry7 on 1st March 2010 at 16:10

The mother looks so young. Bet the eldest lad had to grow up quickly. Hope they all had a decent life.

Comment by: Christine Ward on 2nd March 2010 at 21:09

Dennis and Henry. Many thanks for your interest. Connie Ward seated is the sister of James, Thomas and Harold (baby).
She was born to a well off Farmer who died when she was 5. These other children belong to James Magnall(her stepfather) Connie married in Wigan in 1921 to Joseph Blight and had children Mary 1923, John 1925, Henry1926, Clara 1928, Gladys 1930 and Brenda 1937 (all Blights) so I too hope her life was happy. She is the eldest child on an acompanying photo` titled Riches to Rags.

Comment by: Paul Magnall on 21st October 2023 at 16:48

Actually Connie married Joseph Birch Light

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