Records of Augustus Mahalski, Photographer

This collection contains two photographs of Augustus Mahalski and his two daughters and grandson in addition to genealogical research into the life and business of Augustus by Pauline Mahalski.

Augustus Mahalski was born in Poland in about 1831, the son of John Mahalski. He later moved to England, settling in York.

In December 1856 he married Sarah May in York. They had three children: Amelia (b.1859), William (b.1866) and Cecilia (b.1871).

Augustus Mahalski worked as a photographer, or 'photographic artist'. He set up his first photography business in 1861 at 34 Goodramgate. In 1872 the business moved to 29 Stonegate, before moving again in 1881 to 60 Low Petergate. At this time, Mahalski set up a second branch of trade - a servants' registry office.

Between 1881 and 1900 the number of Mahalski's business on Petergate changed, although it is difficult to know whether this is because the business physically relocated or if it was due to the way the street was recorded in the York Directories (i.e. whether it was recorded simply as 'Petergate' or was divided into 'High' and 'Low' Petergate) or if the street was physically re-numbered.

In 1885 the business is registered as operating from 44 Low Petergate, where it stayed until 1900. In 1900, the year Augustus died, the business was recorded at 78 Petergate.

Following her father's death, Amelia carried on the business, carrying on the servants' registry as well as trading as a tobacconist.

Material is available subject to the usual terms and conditions of access to Archives and Local History collections.

More detailed finding aids for this collection can be found online by searching the Explore website ( www.exploreyork.org.uk)

Compiled by Francesca Taylor, Community Collections and Outreach Assistant, May 2015.

Images are supplied for private research only at the Archivist's discretion. Please note that material may be unsuitable for copying on conservation grounds. Researchers who wish to publish material must seek copyright permission from the copyright owner.