Wednesday, April 6, 2011

1947 Aerial Photos of Thames by V C Browne & Son

The wealth of information available via the internet never fails to surprise. Sincere thanks to Kim who passed this link on.  It is for photos taken by V C Browne & Son (an aerial photo collection 1932-1978)

Enter 'Thames' in the search box to see the selection of photos that extend from the Parawai/Kauaeranga area and Moanataiari to the south. On the surface you may think they are just another aerial photo but if you order a digital copy...you will soon see how special these photos are.  You can literally take a tour around Thames and zoom in and out on streets and houses.

These photos combined with the 1946 Wises Street Directory (copy available at The Treasury), will allow you to work out more accurately where you/your ancestors lived.

Below is a small example from the  photo (resolution reduced) TH1-46 V C Browne & Son Thames 1947, photo no 21.
The focus is the corner of Mary and Queen Street, Thames.  On the left is Lamb's timber yard and on the other side of the road, a large empty section. This is where the Thames Gas Works was located and the site of the future Thames War Memorial Hall (which was built in the early 1950s)
Part of Photo 21 TH1-46 VC Browne & Son Aerial Photo Collection
Corner Mary & Queen Streets, Thames 1947