Wigan Album

On the sign it says "Whitesmith". Can anyone enlighten me?
And just think this was taken at the time of the American civil war!

I think the sign reads,
Writesmith, bell hanger & gas fitter.

Many many thanks to Ron I think that's the chap these old photo's are absolutely brilliant,

I think that reads whitesmith, i.e. a tinsmith, a person who finishes and polishes metals, particularly tin plate and galvanized iron

The following info is in the trades directory for 1869 - found in the stuff section on WW.
Barnes James, whitesmith and scale beam maker, 46 Millgate
Barnes Thomas, whitesmith, &c. 43 Millgate
Barnes William, whitesmith, bellhanger, &c. 22 Standishgate

22 - 26 Standishgate is where B&M are located (opp where Debenhams used to be.

Frank you are probably correct, I hadn't previously heard of a white smith but had heard of a write smith.

Intruiging Carol. Since this is definitely Market Place then it suggests the photo was taken before 1869, and W Barnes at some point after this photo was taken moved to 22 Standishgate. Thank you for the information.

Thanks folks for the info. Wigan World is always a great source of enlightenment!

Talking about old Wigan Inns, The Eagle and Child was Wigan’s oldest known public house being mentioned in documents of 1619.

The Boar's Head, Standish goes back to 1450.

If we're trying to date this photo the the guy wearing the "stovepipe" hat might be of interest. Here's some information that might be worth considering
" The period of 1840-1850 saw the glory years of the top hat where it reached its tallest height. Prince Albert took the top hat from being a mere fashion statement to a symbol of urban respectability by donning the top hat in 1850.
Later in the Victorian era, from 1837 to 1901, the height was reduced to between six and six and a half inches."

I think the"pipestove" worn in the photo looks about 10 inches tall. If the photo was 1850 he's probably just "in fashion" much later, say 1870 he's not.

a beautiful photo of the old queens head, and looking upon the proprieters r landlords names and occupations i notice there is info on william james and thomas on ww which i shall look up further both my father in law and my husbands names r james barnes albeit father in law passed in 1976 aged 66yrs used to work at co op wigan the thing being im trying to look into ancestory hubbys family barnes lived in hallgate wigan obviousley im wondering if theres any family link if anyone as any info to my query im either found on facebook as rita barnes r my e mail is youngcodge2@gmail.com rplies would be very much appreciated