Te Papa holds a wonderful collection of 3000 glass negatives that were found in a cupboard by the tenants of a property in Cuba St, Wellington. The property was a former premise of Berry & Co, a Wellington photographer who operated from 1897.
A few photos in the collection feature Karori Cemetery. As a contrast we have attempted to find what location looks like today.
Our first photo is in the Catholic section and features the grave of Mollie Whitworth. In the black and white image Mollie’s headstone can be seen in the far left of the photo.
Mollie (whose actual name was Mary) Whitworth lived on Boulcott St at the time of her death in November 1900.
She had married John William Whitworth, a butcher, earlier that year in February 1900. She was only 23 years old when she died. Mollie’s mother Julia Burke passed away in May 1915 aged 73. Prior to her death Julia had been resident at the Porirua Mental Asylum.
Credit: Cemetery, circa 1920, Wellington, by Berry & Co. Purchased 1998 with New Zealand Lottery Grants Board funds. Te Papa (B.044990)
