Imagine a time, the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when Barrow-in-Furness wasn’t just a town, it was a living, breathing postcard! The air, thick with the scent of coal smoke and sea salt, vibrated with the rhythmic clang of hammers from the shipyards. Gulls screeched overhead, their cries mingling with the shouts of workers and the rumble of horse-drawn carts on cobbled streets. Capturing this vibrant energy were the Sankey family, the coolest cats (well, maybe not cats, but definitely the hippest folks) on Duke Street.
Edward Sankey, born in 1872, began his journey in the world of printing in 1895, establishing his first business on Buccleuch Street. But Edward wasn’t just your average printer; he had a remarkable life, rising from humble beginnings as the son of a horse-keeper brought up next to a dockside rail yard to become one of the region’s best-known photographers. His shop wasn’t just about ink and paper; it was filled with the smell of fresh ink and the crisp rustle of newspapers. It brimmed with the latest news and fancy writing supplies, and of course, the captivating photographs that would become his legacy.
Edward’s passion for photography blossomed alongside his printing business. He embraced the innovative technology of the time, wielding cameras that could ‘freeze a moment in time faster than a shipyard worker dodging a rivet.’ He was a familiar figure around Barrow, his camera always at the ready. He’d be down by the docks, dodging sooty pigeons, the cries of seagulls filling his ears, snapping a picture of the latest ironclad monster taking shape. He’d wander the bustling streets, the clatter of clogs on the cobblestones echoing around him, capturing the smiles of women working in the shipyards and the determined faces of the shipbuilders overseeing their mighty creations.
The Sankey shop became a hub of activity, a place where the community gathered not just for a new pen or the latest gossip, but to marvel at the ever-growing collection of Barrow’s story on display. There they were, captured forever: the iron giants under construction, the women hauling rivets with surprising strength, the proud shipbuilders with their calloused hands. Each photograph, with its grainy texture and sepia tones, whispered a tale of Barrow’s booming industry, the lives it shaped, and the sheer grit of the people who made it all happen.
But Edward didn’t stop there. He moved his business to Ramsden Square, expanding his reach and his photographic repertoire. Later, he settled at 88 Duke Street, where his shop became a landmark in the town. By 1921, Edward had established several retail outlets, including one at 78 Duke Street, which housed a newspaper stand and a lending library.
Edward’s photographs weren’t just snapshots; they were a time capsule of life in Barrow and beyond, capturing the spirit of an era. The Sankey family legacy? Preserving the soul of a community, one click of the shutter at a time. Over 70 years, through which they witnessed massive industrial growth and two World Wars, Edward and his sons, Raymond and Eric, dedicated their lives to capturing significant moments and everyday life in Barrow, Cumbria, and the wider North West.
A huge thank you to Cumbria Archives for providing the captivating photos used in this blog post and for their dedication to preserving Cumbria’s heritage. With their kind permission, these images help bring the story of the Sankey Family to life. Image courtesy of Cumbria Archives #CumbriaArchivesPhotos #CumbriaHistory