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Hi, I am looking into a local firm in Watford, Hertfordshire - Paget Prize Plate Co. later becoming APEM (camera and photo paper makers). It was absorb into Ilford (Camera Film Makers) in c1932.

I have found the firm in local directories from c1908 through to c1958/60 when the Watford building closed.

However, in the directories, as part of the block / associated building are Paget Cottage & Paget House through the same time period upto c1960.

I have William John Withers, later a Mrs Withers living at Paget Cottage and a William John Swain J.P. at Paget House.

Can any one kindly help with any info on 1901/11 census and 1939 Register??

Many thanks,

For ref 1911

1911 Census For England & Wales
Paget Cottage St Albans Road Watford, Watford Urban, Hertfordshire, England


William Withers Head Married Male 38 1873 Foreman Packer In Photographic Works Manufactoring Dry Plates Ealing Mddx
Kate Withers Wife Married Female 38 1873 - Hitcham Suffolk
Lucy Withers Daughter Single Female 10 1901 - Watford Herts
Kate W Withers Daughter Single Female 9 1902 - Watford Herts

1911 Census For England & Wales
Paget House St Albans Road Watford, Watford Urban, Hertfordshire, England


William John Wilson Head Widower Male 68 1843 Wyw Photo Plate Manufacture Dublin
Rebecca Isabel Wilson Daughter Single Female 46 1865 - London

1939 William J Witchers's life in 1939, Withers on image
Paget Cottage St Albans Road, Watford M.B., Hertfordshire, England

William J Witchers 06 Jul 1872 Male Works Foreman Photographic Sensi Paper And X Ray Accessories Manufa Married 271 1
Kate Withers 05 Nov 1872 Female Unpaid Domestic Duti Married 271 4
Mabel L Jones (Withers) 25 Oct 1900 Female Railway Clerk Incapacitated Single 271 5
Winifred Fillcorook 20 May 1902 Female Assistant (Drapers Married 271 7
The record for this person is officially closed. Can I get around this?

Not finding a Paget House in 1939, might this be it renamed as it is the entry before Paget Cottage?


Brewery House St Albans Road, Watford M.B., Hertfordshire, England

Swain household
(3 people)

William Swain 30 Dec 1877 Male Secretary To Public Company (Brewers) Widowed 270 1
Minnie Swain 15 Jun 1897 Female Unpaid Domestic Duties Single 270 4
Daisy M Rendell 15 Jul 1901 Female Domestic Duties Paid Single 270 5

Thanks Rambling! Glad to have found William Withers and family.....

As for William Swain, I should have said Brewery House as you correctly mentioned!
He was also listed as a J.P.


The Wells Watford Brewery Ltd (Lion Brewery) was next door to the Paget works. It was eventually swallowed up by Benskins, another Watford Brewers.

Is there anything for 1901, and maybe 1891??

Thanks for what you have found so far....

1901

1901 England, Wales & Scotland Census
Paget Cottage, St Albans Road, Watford Urban, Watford, Hertfordshire, England


John Thompson Head Married Male 32 1869 Engine Fitter Bow, Middlesex, England
Alice L Thompson Wife Married Female 32 1869 - Bow, Middlesex, England
Winifred A Thompson Daughter Single Female 7 1894 - Bow, Middlesex, England
Edward J Glenister Visitor Single Male 19 1882 Engine Fitter Southampton, Hampshire, England

and Paget House

1901 England, Wales & Scotland Census
Paget House, St Albans Road, Watford Urban, Watford, Hertfordshire, England

William J Wilson Head Married Male 58 1843 Manufacturer Of Photographic Dry Plater & Papers Ireland
Olivia Wilson Wife Married Female 62 1839 - London, England
Isabel Wilson Daughter Single Female 36 1865 - Kentish Town, Middlesex, England

William J Wilson was not there in 1891, but occupation the same

1891 England, Wales & Scotland Census
Malden Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, England

William J Wilson Head Married Male 42 1849 E C S Photo Doy Plate Manufacturer Ireland
Olivia J Wilson Wife Married Female 52 1839 - Middlesex, England
Rebecca J Wilson Daughter Single Female 26 1865 - Middlesex, England

1891

1891 England, Wales & Scotland Census
Paget Prize Plate Works & Yard, St Albans Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, England


George Bellingham Head Married Male 23 1868 Mechanical Engineer Kent, England
Elizabeth Bellingham Wife Married Female 25 1866 - Hampshire, England

If you have access to Findmypast newspapers, there are a lot of entries for "Paget Prize Plate Company". Perhaps someone here will be able to help with that as I don't have access at the moment

Thanks again for your kind help Rambling!! Greatly appreciated.