Hi,
You were after some indication of the date that R D Roberts
photographed a family member - he married Emma Roberts, widow and
publican of the "Ship Inn" in 1861. On the marriage certificate his
occupation is "artist", but in 1862 when their first child was born
his occupation was "photographer". So it's probably safe to say the
photo you have was taken no earlier than 1861. Their second child was
born in 1864 and his occupation is given as "artist and innkeeper".
"Slater's 1868 Directory: Roberts R.D. Photographer, Ship Square,
Flint
Ship Inn (Commercial & Posting): R.D. Roberts, Ship Square"
Emma died in 1870, leaving a teenage son from her first marriage, and
the daughter born in 1862. Both later children died. On her death
certificate Richard Robert's occupation was "innkeeper". He left the
area, moved briefly back to Ruthin leaving his stepson with one
brother, and his daughter with another. In 1871 he was in Ruthin, his
occupation was "auctioneer". He married another inn-keeping widow in
Rhyl in 1872, and from then on only worked as an auctioneer and estate
agent in Rhyl.
"Worrall's Directory of North Wales 1874: Auctioneers: Roberts R.D.
Bodfar St, Rhyl"
"Richard D Roberts: Hotel Proprietor, Mostyn Arms Hotel, Rhyl 1877"
All of that means that he had given up the photographic work by 1870,
so it leaves us with the period 1861 - 1870 for your photograph. That
gives you a date but I cannot say whether it was taken in Flint, or
elsewhere as I do know he was working in Bangor for at least a few
weeks in 1862.
Incidentally his brother was working as a photographer in Ruthin in
1861, and he also became an auctioneer. Both went on to years in local
government - Thomas in Ruthin, and Richard in Rhyl.
R D Roberts was later better known as "Mwrog" - his bardic name.
I hope that helps you with your photo - if you are able to scan and
send it I'd love to see both sides - this is the first of his photos
I've run across. best of luck with the rest of your research.
Natalia
na.mckenzie(a)clear.net.nz
Have you ever thought of the benefit of the U.K. census data being
centrally available on one database, and being able to trace your
ancestors from 1841 to 1891? The Free Census Project aims to provide a
"free-to-view" online searchable database of the 19th century UK
census returns. For more information check out
http://freecen.rootsweb.com/ or contact the Flintshire County
Co-ordinator, Natalia, at na.mckenzie(a)clear.net.nz .
For up-to-date news visit the Flintshire Free Census page at
http://home.clear.net.nz/pages/na.mckenzie/flintshire.html