Shopkeepers

If the census or family tales inform you that an ancestor was a shopkeeper then you may be in luck.

From the earliest days of photographers town/ village centres and shops have been one of the most popular pictures.

Often the event was considered significant so the shopkeeper marched his staff to the front of the shop and all posed which the picture was taken.

Many of the old photographs have ended up in local museums so a visit or letter to the local museum may was bring you a photo of your ancestors shop and possibly of the ancestor as well.

You can of course visit the area and picture the modern version.

The next step is to check trade directories for entries and if you have access look at the local newspaper or other local publication to see if your ancestor advertised his services.

Wills are the next stop as in the early days shopkeepers would often list the most important things in their shop as well as the other worldly goods to give a great picture of their trade.