The Orkney Image Library
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The woman in the portrait isn't the mystery; she appears in picture #4234, taken about half a century later - the lovely Maggie Anderson of Langskaill, Grimeston.
The mystery - to me anyway - is the identity of DRGB. He or she seems to have been a very competent photographer (though apparently disinclined to give cows much prominence in 'CATTLE SHOW' photographs).
I know nothing of JL either, except the L may stand for Linklater.
Any ideas?
Picture added on 11 June 2013 at 21:07
There are two very similar photos (Dounby Cattle Show without any cattle) on the Facebook Orkney Past and Present (23 March 2013). Whoever DRGB was he specialised in Dounby.
Added by Jim Eunson on 12 June 2013
There was a ? Ballantyne who liver in Merryba Sandwick who was a photographer. Don't know his Christian names
Added by Ron Marwick on 24 June 2013
More than likely the very man Ron. No doubt his other body parts resided at the same address as his liver.
Added by Ian Hourston on 13 July 2013
Three census records for a D.R.G. Ballantyne. David Ballantyne in 1871 at North Millhouse, Sandwick aged 8. 1881 David at West Millhouse Sandwick,a Joiner aged 18. He is at New Millhouse Sandwick in 1911, a Joiner,"Own Account",single. Son of a Shoemaker from Sandwick, William Ballantyne, his mother, Helen Sinclair from Thurso,was a Dairymaid in Sandwick, 1861.
Added by Nicol Manson on 13 July 2013
From www.cursiter.com there is a David Robertson Garson Ballantyne b Sandwick 5 Oct 1862, that will be the man.
Added by Jim Eunson on 15 July 2013
Thanks everyone for all your help. It's nice to nail these loose ends down. By whatever route Mr Ballantyne found his way into professional photography he certainly knew his business. Strange that his name hasn't cropped up before now.
Added by Ian Hourston on 17 July 2013
I was recently given a very old box camera that came from my granny's garage in Harray. There was a note inside saying that it belonged to D. R. G. Ballantyne from Sandwick. Quite possible it's the very camera that these pictures were taken with.
Thanks for posting them.
Thanks for posting them.
Added by Tim Walker on 08 November 2013
If you're right Tim, it must be a good-quality camera for its day. Does it have a maker's name and other details on it?
Added by Ian Hourston on 14 November 2013
I have a collection of old post cards of my grandmothers (early 1900).Many of the cards had photos taken by DRGB. I believe he was a cousin to my grandmother whose mother's maiden name was Sinclair from around the Thurso area. I am glad to hear that others are questioning DRGB.
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Added by Carolyn Clark on 26 April 2016
Dounby
