CHESTER

Background History

Family Tree	Peter McArdle came to Australia in 1874 from India, after serving with the 72nd Highlanders. He joined the Highlanders in Liverpool, England in 1867, his mother, Bridget McArdle was living in The Rows at no. 8 Bridge Street Chester.

	In 1874 Sarah McArdle and Catherine McArdle left Chester and arrived in Australia to settle with their brother, Peter McArdle and another sister, Mrs Margaret Quinn in Molong NSW. Margaret had arrived in Australia from Ireland in 1863.

The following photographs are from the collection of Patrick Joseph McArdle BEM, son of Mr Peter McArdle.

		Photograph Number 1 W Speed, Photogorapher, Grosvenor St, Chester "The style of the dress with its rows of braiding and the evidence of a bustle at the back plus the hairstyle suggest a date between 1870 and 1875." Ms K Snowden, Keeper of History, Grosvenor Museum The subject of the photo is believed to be Mrs Bridget McArdle. If it is not Bridget then it may be one of her daughters. This person resembles a known photograph of Mrs Sarah Freestone, a daughter of Bridget.
		Photograph Number 2 W Speed, Photographer, Grosvenor St, Chester "The costume of the boy and girl suggests the 1870's. The style of their hats and the apron-like front of the little girl's dress puts the date at about 1875." Ms K Snowden, Keeper of History, Grosvenor Museum The subjects of this photo are unknown. The original has been coloured slightly- the neck ties, cheeks and lips and the girls hat.
		Photograph Number 3 W Speed, Photographer, Grosvenor St, Chester "Men's clothing is very difficult to date as much depends on the cut of a coat or the style of a collar and the details are quite difficult to make out on this photograph. However, the turned down collar, rather modern looking tie and high buttoned coat again suggest the 1870's." Ms K Snowden, Keeper of History, Grosvenor Museum Believed to be Peter McArdle. If so this would be pre February 1871 when he left with the Regiment for India.
		Photograph Number 4 John Lancaster only at Grosvenor St, Chester "It was quite usual to dress little boys in dresses up to the age of about 4. The style of this dress is very difficult to date but my feeling is that it is quite late, probably about 1880." Ms K Snowden, Keeper of History, Grosvenor Museum Written on the back of this photo is: "Yours Truly Thomas Toner Junr with Kind Regards to Peter McArdle by his farther Thomas Toner Senr."