I M Looking for Any Further Information on My Grandfather John Robert Draper Who Married May Ida Nevin 1901
My grandfather opened and owned 2 confectionary shops in Ballarat in the early 1900's. By 1916 he sadly had passed from an accident, leaving a young family behind. I've found quite a lot of advertisements he placed for the Draper's City Sweet Stores at 3 and 719 Sturt St Ballarat but I haven't been able to locate any photos. I know years ago when I was a girl, there was a 'postcard' photo of one of the shops. It was a grand shop with glass mirrors on the walls and lollies in huge jars on shelves reaching from floor to ceiling. When my mother died in 1984 Pansie Doris Draper, she had a lovely picture of her father on his Pennyfarthing Bike but unfortunately on her death it disappeared. I also know that in the 70's a relative had already compiled a family tree but I don't know who that relative was. I'm trying to find any photos anyone might have of John Robert Draper, his shops or any other family member. I'm the last of my mother's side and at 64 I'm trying to gather as much information as I can for my grandchildren and those to follow. If anyone can help, I'd be eternally grateful.
Welcome to the site agellan.
From memory the Ballarat Historical Society and the Ballarat Library hold photo collections of people and buildings of early Ballarat and may be able to assist you with photos, and possibly a few more details regarding John and his Stores in the town. I expect they will charge a small fee for searches but worth it in the long run as it could save you years of research time.
If you have any other details you cannot locate write a few journals about your brick walls and post them here. You may be surprised how helpful some members can be.
Cheers.