J & R Douglas

Cartes de Visite  -  Portraits

and

 Thomas H Douglas

J & R Douglas

Question

Who were J & R Douglas?

They were based at 1 Hanover Street from 1872 to 1874.

Thomas H Douglas appears to have had a studio at that address from 1870 to 1871.  His name appeared in the trade directories for only one year - 1870 - but I have a carte de visite giving that address with the date 1871 written in ink on the back.

One of Thomas H Douglas' cartes de visite from his studio at 1 Hanover Street also included an address of a J (or T) Douglas at 145 Sauchiehall Street  Glasgow. 

There was a John Douglas who had a studio at 145 Sauchiehall Street from 1857 until 1875, operating latterly in partnership with his sons.  Is there any connection between John Douglas and his sons in Glasgow and J & R Douglas above?

Answer 1

Thank you to Ron Cosens, who runs the author of www.cartedevisite.co.uk web site, for providing the following answer:

"There is strong circumstantial evidence to connect  J Douglas & Son (Glasgow) with J&R Douglas (Edinburgh). 

The similarity of the card designs below from the Glasgow and Edinburgh studios surely cannot be a coincidence."

Answer 2

Thank you to Sally E Douglas, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, whose great-grandfather, Gabriel b.1822, was brother of the Edinburgh artist and professional photographer, John Douglas b.1813, for making the following suggestions:

Sally wrote:

"EITHER (likely?):  J & R Douglas may have been John Douglas c1844 Old Cumnock, Ayrshire and Robert Douglas c1846 Ireland.  These were the two sons of  John Douglas b.1813.

OR (less likely?):  J & R Douglas may have been Robert Kerr Douglas c1839 Greenock, Renfrewshire and John Douglas c1846 Hamilton, Lanarkshire.  These were two of the three sons of Walter Douglas 1811, Dollar, Clackmannon, a brother of John Douglas 1813 and Gabriel Douglas 1822.

©   peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk

©  Reproduced with acknowledgement to author of www.cartedevisite.co.uk

Thomas H Douglas

Question

Thomas H Douglas may have been a nephew of John Douglas 1813 (above).

Who was the father of Thomas H Douglas?

Sally E Douglas wrote:

Answer 1

Possibly Robert Douglas or George Douglas

"Other brothers of John Douglas 1813 and Gabriel Douglas 1822 who could possibly be the father of Thomas H Douglas are:

-  Robert Douglas 1815 Dollar, Clackmannon.  It looks at least that Robert married and had children but I haven't found any more on him yet - Census etc.

-  George Douglas c1820 Old Cumnock, Ayrshire.  I haven't found any more on him yet, though it is possible that he migrated to Victoria, Australia by 1864. (Gabriel Douglas migrated c1858. George and Gabriel seemed to have a close relationship in Scotland - Census Records 1841 & 1851)."

Sally E Douglas:  December 21, 2006

After a further 3 months' research, Sally E Douglas added:

Answer 1

Not George Douglas

"In 1841 George Douglas Watchmaker was with his brother Gabriel Douglas Watchmaker 1822 Muirkirk, Ayrshire in Holytown, Lanarkshire.

In 1851 George Douglas Watchmaker was at Port Glasgow, Renfrewshire and in 1861 he was at Cambusnethan, Lanarkshire.

I have found only one son for George Douglas and his wife Jane Forrest - David Laughland Douglas an Apprentice Engine Smith in 1861 at the age of 16. David Laughland Douglas was named after the Rev David Laughland who baptised him on 27th October, 1844 at Holytown, Bothwell, Lanark.

So I would probably rule out George Douglas being a possible father of Thomas H Douglas.

Gabriel Douglas migrated to Victoria, Australia in c1858 and George Douglas and family may have migrated to Victoria by 1864"

Sally E Douglas:  March 26, 2007

Douglas, Edinburgh

Douglas, Glasgow