Person:Richard Ellis (18)

Richard Ellis Ellis was born in London, England (1842 - 1924) but he spent his childhood and received his early education in Malta. Mr. Ellis took to photography at a time when the art form was still in its early development in terms of both technique and equipment. Ellis was one of the pioneers of photography in Malta and Ellis studios in Strada Reale now Republic Street, Valletta were popularly considered the epitome in professional and artistic excellence in the art of photography.

Ellis was active and prominent in all branches of the art: still lives, views, and society photography in addition to all the various departments of developing, printing, retouching, mounting and frame making, and later dealing and retailing of all types of photographic goods and equipment.

Ellis as, by special appointment, photographer to , inter alia, King George V the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke of Hesse, Queen Alexandria, King Edward VI, the German Emperor, the Queen of Portugal, the Duke and Duchess of Connaught, the prince Louis of Battenburg. His works were awarded medals and trophies at many exhibitions. The number of books and other publications featuring his works is countless. With the passage of time it is not only the historic value of 'things as they then were' that becomes increasingly prominent in them, but also the technical excellence of his art in almost each of his works.

The Ellis family also established themselves prominently in Gozo. Richard commuted regularly between there and Malta, also finding time for tutoring at the Malta Society of Arts, manufactures and Commerce. In 1913 he was appointed to the organizing committee of the International Eucharistic Congress. Ellis married Alfonsina Curmi and their son, John was later also active in the family business.

(Research):Richard ELLIS, born in London, 27th January 1841, of a large family. Fostered by Mr. and Mrs. Conroy. Mr.Conroy was interested in photography, and when they arrived in Malta in 1857, he set up a photograhic studio at Senglea. Ellis assisted, but then opened his own studio in 1871, at 43 Strada Stretta, Valletta. Was living at this address in 1895 Voters list. He died in 1924. The photographic firm he founded continues

1. ↑ Marriage Certificate Richard Ellis-Alfonsa Curmi (13 February 1864), Reference unknown.
2. ↑ General Register Office, England. Birth Certificate Richard Ellis, 27 January 1842, Reference unknown. (Original a certified copy. Photocopy in possession of Sandra Williamson).
3. ↑ Death Certificate Richard Ellis. (Original a certified copy. Photocopy in possession of Sandra Williamson).
4. ↑ England. 1851 Census Returns for England and Wales. (
   Kew, Richmond, Greater London TW9 4DU, United Kingdom:
   The National Archives (abbreviated TNA), formerly the UK General Register Office.)
   Class: HO107; Piece: 1521; Folio: 333; Page: 42; GSU roll: 87855.

   Borough: Finsbury; Civil Parish: St Luke Old Street; Ecclesiastical parish: St Luke;
   Reg'n district: St Luke; Sub-reg'n district: City Road; Enum Dist: 14; Household schedule number: 172
   5 Garden Row
   James Ellis, head, mar, 45, boot & shoemaker, born St. Leonard Shoreditch
   Sarah Ellis, wife, mar, 38, born Clerkenwell
   Sarah Ellis, dau, unm, 20, servant, born Clerkenwell
   James Ellis, son, unm, 18, servant, born St. Luke
   Ellen Ellis, dau, unm, 16, servant, born St. Luke
   Jane Ellis, dau, 14, servant, born Clerkenwell
   Alfred Ellis, son, 12, at home, born Clerkenwell
   Richard Ellis, son, 9, at home, born St. Luke
   Charles Ellis, son, 7, at home, born St. Luke
   Emily Ellis, dau, 5, at home, born Shoreditch
   Thomas Ellis, son, 2-6mths, at home, born Clerkenwell
   Walter Ellis, son, 3mths, at home, born St. Luke

5. ↑ Private Correspondance from Ian Ellis to Yvonne Marshal dated 26 March 2003 sent via email entitled Relatives.
6. ↑ Malta Family History Website. (http://website.lineone.net/~stephaniebidmead/)
   Voters List - 1900 ve.htm.

   ELLIS, Richard, Strada Stretta 43, Valletta

7. ↑ Malta Family History Website. (http://website.lineone.net/~stephaniebidmead/)
   VOTERS LIST - 1920.

   ELLIS, John, Strada Reale 278, Valletta
   ELLIS, Richard, Strada Reale 278, Valletta

8.   Prominent Maltese People - Richard Ellis by Josef Ebejer. (http://www.allmalta.com/folklore/p_014.html last accessed 1/10/2003).
9.   E-mail Ian Ellis
   Personal email from Ian Ellis to Yvonne Marshall Subject Ellis History.

   Richard Ellis was born in London, England in January 1842. One of a large number of children (anything between 17 and 24 children !!!!). This figure depends on who you get it from!!! Richard was somewhere in the middle. I only know of 2, the South African connection, and an English connection known as Uncle Jim.
   Richard's father was James Ellis and mother was Sara nee Brown, (from copy of his birth certificate ). Have you tried to do any research at Somerset House, The Public Records Office in England? This could be useful.
   Richard Ellis was definitely fostered by James Conroy and his wife. He learned his photographic trade in Paris and eventually arrived in Malta in 1861, together with the Conroys. They set up a photographic studio. Details of his travels before his arrival in Malta are listed in a document he drew up and signed when he became a Catholic in 1863, one year before his marriage in 1864.
   He set up his own photographic business in 1871. He died in Valletta on the 24 December 1924 and is buried in the family vault at the main cemetery in Malta.
   I have just seen the photos from your last emails and unfortunately at first glance do not recognize anybody. I will however look at them in more detail and let you know. What do the backs of the photographs look like? Were they taken in Australia and when?
   The Wardle branch are definitely of Ellis extraction, the similar behaviour pattern to my aunt Josephine is amazing!!!!
   I am curious about Alfred Ellis. Was he living in Australia? Did he die in Australia? I believe a Camberwell and a Surrey also exist as areas in Melbourne.
   I was about to attach the relevant pages from a book published in Malta entitled The Photographers of Malta by Margaret Harker. (ISBN 99932 - 10 - 04 - 8 ) published in 2000 by Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti. Most of what was written is based on documents and information passed on by my uncle Richard before he died on 06/03/1993. He was still running the business in December 1992, 2 months before he passed away. Unfortunately my scanner has died on me (i think the lightbulb is gone) so I'll scan the relevant pages as soon as I get it working again.
   Best regards
   Ian Ellis

10.   Malta Family History Website. (http://website.lineone.net/~stephaniebidmead/).