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Frank Findlay, photographer

Frank Findlay's remarkable montage, of 26 men from Auchtermuchty who were killed during the First World War, was taken against a background of a view from Broombrae, above the village. Individual images of the men were then  superimposed.

"Amongst other work at present I have been called upon to make Composite Photographs from several photographs of soldiers serving at the front, building up the photograph in such a way that the men had the appearance of being taken together."

Frank Findlay and his father, Archibald, lived at 39 Commercial St, Markinch, in the old Portland Bar.

 

Frank Findlay was born on 22 July 1878 at Markinch, Fife, the son of Archibald Findlay, the pioneering potato merchant.

Archibald Findlay 1841-1921, was a former resident of Markinch. He was the landlord of the Portland Bar on Commercial Street, which is now a Chinese Restaurant.

Archibald Findlay was a potato breeder extraordinaire in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century.

It was the Markinch man who produced the first blight-resistant potato, making the food safe from disease, and his varieties fed the troops and nation through two world wars, helping Britain become self-sufficient in basic food requirements during those times.

Archibald Findlay was a prolific breeder of potatoes, with many of his varieties being marketed between 1891 amd 1921. He wrote for journals and held exhibitions of his seedlings. His most famous varieties are Majestic, Up-to-Date and British Queen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 1881 Archibald Findlay, born in  Falkland, was a grocer and wine and spirits merchant, Markinch,  and was living with his wife, Agnes Rodger, born Falkland, and three young children, Frank, aged 3, Andrew R, aged 1 and Mary Ann, aged 3 months. Archibald's brother, Frank Findlay, aged 49 was also in the household.

In 1891 Archibald Findlay was living at North End, and was described as a merchant and seed grower. Also in the household were his wife, three children, all scholars, and two more daughters, Janet, aged 7, and Agnes, aged 5. His  brother, Frank, was a grocer's assistant.

In 1901 Archibald Findlay was living at 37 & 39 Commercial Street, Markinch, and was described as a seed grower and publican. His wife had died, but his son Frank, 25, was a artist photographer. Andrew and Mary Ann were away from home, but Janet was a barmaid, and Agnes was assistant housekeeper, while a seventh child, Euphemia, was aged 7.

In 1911 Archibald Findlay, a widower, was living at Mairsland House, Auchtermuchty, and was described as a farmer and potato raiser. His housekeeper was his youngest daughter Euphemia, aged 17.

Archibald Findlay moved to Lincolnshire and died in 1921.

 

Frank Findlay, born in Markinch on 22 July 1878, was living with his parents in 1881, 1891 and 1901. By then he had established himself as an artist photographer.

Frank Findlay married, on 10 February 1902, at 35 Hutchison Street, Glasgow, Christina Keltie Laurence, born in 1880 at Muckhart, Perthshire. They had three children, though only Archibald Dara Findlay, born 1906 at Auchtermuchty, survived.

In 1911 Frank Findlay was living at Mairsland Cottage, Braidleys, Auchtermuchty, with his wife Christina, aged 31, and son Archibald Dara, aged, 5. Frank Findlay was described as a photographer working on his own account at home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frank Findlay called his work place Studio-on-the hill, near Auchtermuchty, in Fife. He took many photographs of individuals and views around Auchtermuchty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frank Findlay died on 15 October 1923, at Braidleys, Auchtermuchty, aged 45 years.

Christine Kelty Findlay, who moved to Parliament Place, Auchtermuchty, was not to die until 28 August 1955.

Frank and Christine's son, Archibald Dara Findlay, seed merchant, had married Alice Thomson, and died before his mother, on 25 January 1950, at Edenside, Strathmiglo, leaving an only son Laurence Dara Findlay.

Auchtermuchty from the north, from a post card made by Frank Findlay. The War Memorial at the Cross, Auchtermuchty.

Archibald Findlay was born in 1842, in Falkland, and became a pioneering potato breeder. He lived in Markinch and Mairsland, Auchtermuchty. He made his potatoes blight resitant. His most successful potato was called Majestic.

Frank Findlay advertised regularly in local papers. He restored old fade photographs, "being an expert in this class of work."

"Amongst other work at present I have been called upon to make Composite Photographs from several photographs of soldiers serving at the front, building up the photograph in such a way that the men had the appearance of being taken together, the background used being a view of their home."

Frank Findlay's rates for single figures was 5s per dozen. Young children, animals, groups of 2 or 3, 6s. Groups of more than 3, 7 shillings.

Frank Findlay considered himself to be an artist photographer working from his rural studio.

Frank Findlay lived and worked at Braidleys, left, his "Studio-on-the-Hill, and his father lived at nearby Mairsland, Auchtermuchty.

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