An amazing photo of the Jones family

I just had to share this fantastic photo from my nan’s collection. It shows my great-grandfather John William Jones, his seven siblings and parents in about 1916.

 

My nan tells me that from left to right, the photo captures:

• Tom Jones
• George Jones, my great-great-grandfather
• George Jones (nicknamed Bead)
• John Jones, my great-grandfather
• Maria Jones nee Taylor (known as Ria), my great-great-grandmother with baby Ann Jones
• Maria Jones (known as Doll) with Edward Jones (known as Ted)
• Harry Jones
• Lilie Jones (who went on to marry Olympic athlete, Ernest Johnson)

 

I’ve found the family in the 1911 census, minus Lilie, Harry and Ann who were not yet born. The family of seven were living in three rooms at 29 Pearman Street in Lambeth – quite a squeeze!

George Jones was employed as a House Painter and it seems Maria had given birth to one other child who had sadly died before the census was taken.

The Jones family in the 1911 census – please click to enlarge

 

There’s a bit of a family rumour surrounding my great-great-grandmother’s family – Maria Taylor’s father is thought to have won the Doggett’s Coat and Badge race, a rowing race along the River Thames. I’m looking forward to seeing if I can prove this for my nan.