An extensive scrapbook kept by Sarah Emily Tindale, a local woman from Whitby, caught my eye when searching through the archives in Whitby Museum (Location A5.9). S.E Tindale was a keen photographer documenting her own photos in her scrapbook alongside snippets of her life and the life around Whitby as a whole. The scrapbook documents the years 1948 – 1957 when she was aged 63 – 72 showing an incredible glimpse into the past! Notably, when researching, I found that S.E Tindale was the aunt of John Tindale a significant figure from Whitby who was the photographer for the Whitby Gazette! It seems that his aunt may have even been an inspiration for him.
A selection of photographs in the scrapbook
Whilst looking through her scrapbook I was transported on a trip down a historical memory lane as I looked over the many photographs that she had taken. Some noteworthy photographs included: an image of the Whitby Regatta 1950, pictures of fishing boats coming in and out of Whitby Harbour, a photo of the 1949 Whitby Chrysanthemum Show and images of the 1950 excavation site at Star Carr.
Pictures taken by Sarah Emily Tindale
I also found from her scrapbook that throughout her life she achieved many remarkable feats in photography such as: a print in the 1952 International Photographic Fair and Exhibition with her photograph ‘Ruined Window’, a win of the Half-Guinea prize in Free Holidays at Scarborough’s Photographic competition and a 1951 photograph and letter reproduced in an early issue of Yorkshire Illustrated. There is even evidence that her photographs were bought on multiple occasions! I found her success in photography incredibly inspiring considering her identity as a woman in history.
- Even more awards that she achieved can be found within the scrapbook.
Left: Letter informing Sarah that she’s won a photographic competition. Right: Pictorial Group Exhibition London 9th – 29th June 1954.
I also found that Sarah was a member of many local clubs including, but not limited to, The Pictorial Group, The Whitby Naturalists club and The Whitby Photographic Club. Within her scrapbook you can find a few copies of the Pictorial Group Bulletin displaying writings from group members. In one of these bulletins she has her own section named, ‘Further Photographic Musings’ where she delves into how her photography centres around daily Whitby Life stating,
“It seems to be my lot in life to stay at home, not to be able to go away to far off places and find unusual pictures to record for future occasions and memories.”
It seems that she was a prolific member of these clubs as a paragraph accompanying her death notice states that she was the Vice President of the Whitby Photographic Club and that in 1971 she won a silver award for her print in the Whitby Photographic Club’s annual competition.
Whitby Gazette obituary notice, 23rd July 1971
Alongside her scrapbook I listened to an audio recording of a conversation between Sarah and John Tindale that the archives have on file. This allowed for me to further piece together who she was as I could listen to her voice and her own words. The archive also holds audio recordings of John Tindale which were also interesting to listen to.
Left: A comical picture of John Tindale 1950 Right: Sarah Emily Tindale? (right)
I found S.E Tindale’s life story a wonder to research into and such an inspiration even in the modern age. Her photographs, in the scrapbook, are distinct and fascinating especially if you are someone who is interested in the day-to-day life in a typical 1950s British town.
Do you recognise any of Sarah’s friends? (1950)
By Holly Mirfield (Sixth Form Student, Prince Henry’s Grammar School, Otley)
If you are interested in viewing this scrapbook visit the library Tuesday to Friday 10am -4.30pm or contact [email protected].
