Mum’s family in print

I gave a talk to The City of York and District Family History Society this week about mum’s family in print, because I’d found lots of books and websites including photos of family members and documents about them.

I bought a copy of Picturesque Old York, etchings by E Piper RPE and notes by the Dean, Very Reverend Purey-Cust from 1895 at a car boot sale. When I got it home, I noticed a small sticker saying that it was sold by J Sampson, book seller and stationer, 13 Coney St, York. I found John Bellerby Sampson (1856-1914) on the 1881 census with his father John (1822-1900), book seller employing 18 men and 9 boys. His mother was Elizabeth Caroline Bellerby. My great grandad, John Neale, was cousins with Maud Bellerby, Elizabeth Caroline’s great niece.

The small sticker has been placed over the top of a paper label saying artists’ colourmen, established 1808. The rest is obscured. I’ve not been able to find out who this company was.

John and John Bellerby Sampson are found in several directories of York. They published Sampson’s Guide to the City and Cathedral of York in 1884.

I’m related to the Houlgate butchers down the Shambles in York through Elizabeth Houlgate who married John Craven. Their daughter, Alice Elizabeth was my great grandmother.

Here are a couple of postcards showing the butcher’s shop.