Last Friday I visited a store in Launceston to look through prints from a stack of glass negatives – Spurling, Whitelaw’s and Charlie Hart era.

What a lot of old photos! Flicking through I came across the photo below. An enhanced copy of the well worn print given to me last year by Elizabeth Holt’s grand daughter. I was able to write on the back the information I knew of this photo from Lizzie’s grand daughter and the publication later found in the Weekly Courier. Other photos had also been identified and information added. There are many photos with names and as many without……

If anyone would like a perfect copy, get in touch through comments and I will give you the information to order.

My cousin could hardly believe the negative still exists.

Elizabeth Holt second from left with James Parkinson behind her and little sister May sitting on floor – taken September 8 1902 at the Albert Hall Wakatipu Ball hosted by her father John Holt.

Whitelaw’s negative of the photo

This amazing photo has Elizabeth Holt seated second from the left, younger sister May seated on the floor. James Parkinson behind Elizabeth second from left.

Elizabeth Mary Holt: first child to John and Mary Ann Holt.

May Holt was John and Mary Ann’s eighth child and third daughter.

Elizabeth’s grandmother also Elizabeth/Meg had a busy 1878, with the birth of first grandson William in March.

Husband John died in July after a 12 month illness.

Elizabeth Mary was born in Launceston on Christmas Eve.

Elizabeth’s granddaughter generously shared this photo in the hope of discovering more – initially I thought may have been an engagement party.

Today I ran a quick check of ‘Holt’ across the current digitised articles of ‘The Daily Telegraph’…… lo and behold found this article to fill in the gaps of this photo – wow!!!

The Wakatipu Ball held 8 September 1902 at the Albert Hall – a quick glance to see if perhaps any mention of Highland uniforms and bingo!

A quick look at the Weekly Courier reveals two more photos

Further exploration of the Weekly Courier on the off-chance!!, almost missed it as photo’s started to blend with all the others!!

Elizabeth married James Parkinson in 1904

Wakatipu – a rock off Flinders is named Wakatipu, discovered a while back when looking into the Willett history.

Mr Holt named along with the crew in decorating the Albert Hall for the ball. Again the Telegraph(thanks GGF Ed) informs both John and James had connections to the SS Wakatipu – steamer trading between Sydney, Eden, Devonport and Launceston.

Elizabeth’s granddaughter has many stories she captured from her mother and grandmother about life in Launceston and their connection to Little Dog. A different lifestyle to those of us raised in the Straits – a wonderful insight to having visit Little Dog each year, based on economics of the times through the eyes of the Holt women.

 I’m looking forward to reading this history handed through Elizabeth, Dulcie as told by Jan.

Here is are photos of the Wakatipu after the colliding with the Eurimbla