Do you recognise these photographs? MAXINE GORDON shares these lost images in the hope of finding their owner

IF a picture paints a thousand words, what do these lost photos tell us about this family?

Let's start with little Mary Kerr. There is a picture of her as a baby, behind the wheel of a car. Then as a tubby tot with her mother, Elizabeth. She grows up into a pretty brunette, and there are plenty of pictures of her with her mother and another woman, Jen, possibly her sister.

Why does it matter?

Well, these photos are among a bunch found in an album donated three weeks ago to the St Leonard's Hospice charity shop in Scarcroft Road, York.

The album appeared to be empty, according to shop manager Carol Leaf, but tucked away at the back was a folder full of old, family snaps.

"In an attempt to find the owners, we placed a collage of the photos in the shop window, hoping that someone would recognise their relatives." But no-one claimed them, so Carol decided to throw the net further afield, posting the images on social media and turning to The Press.

"It is such a shame as someone has gone to great lengths to record dates and names on the back of some of the photographs and a number of them have been copied."

Some of the photos have been copied at Boots in 2004.

Carol adds: "We have only had the photos a little over two weeks and are hopeful that with the help of The Press these wonderful keepsakes are returned to their rightful owner."

York Press:

WEDDING DAY: Jen and George Robertson in 1933

Piecing together the names and dates on the back of the photos, we think that Jen and Mary may be related. They look similar and there is a picture of Jen on her wedding day when she married a man called George Robertson in 1933 and it looks like Mary is a bridesmaid. Does anyone recognise the church? Or the family?

There is another photo, taken four years later, marked "Little Glenshee, 1937" which looks like all three women – Jen, Mary and Elizabeth, but this time with a little boy. Is it a holiday photo of the family together in Perthshire?

Some other names appear on the back of the photos. One shows two men and a boy and is marked: "Grandad Hudson, Cliff and Colin, 1956".

One of the most intriguing photos shows a street in Valletta, Malta. One the back is written: "Strait Street - Vallatta [sic]. My flat used to be where the car is stood - and on the top floor". Perhaps this connection will ring a bell with someone.

York Press:

WHO IS THE BOY: Do you recognise him?

The most up-to-date photo is one of a boy outside number ten Downing Street. There is no caption, nor date, but given the fashion in the photograph – flares – it must be the 1970s. This was one of the photos copied in Boots in 2004, and done in a way to crop out the picture of the woman in the foreground of the original.

If anyone can identify these photographs or help find the owner, they should telephone Sarah Gilbank, of St Leonard's Hospice, on 01904 777777.