Kate Kendal, nee Paysden, (1890 – 1975) was my Paternal Grandmother. Kate along with her family and friends would regularly exchange postcards, particularly around the period of the First World War.
Her postcards give an insight into life 100 years ago. Some of the cards cover her courtship with her husband to be, Jonathan Kendal and their subsequent separation while he was on active service during the war. She also exchanged cards with her brothers John, George and James who were all at sea.
My father saved two of her albums. They were comprised of approximately 300 postcards. To date I have scanned 103 of these and configured them into a simple searchable database, (see below). Clicking on either the “image” or “text” will open a new window. I will progressively add further postcards to the website.
| Title | Image | Back . | Date | From | To | Comment A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belfast Coop |  | Text | 2 July 1915 | James Paysden | John Paysden | John may have been ill. Makes reference to Da Brown? |
| Connswater |  | Text | Jean Paysden | James Paysden | JP on HMS Powerful | |
| Drake |  | Text | Ma Brown? | James Paysden | JP on HMS Powerful | |
| Few Lines |  | Text | GP | Kate Paysden | Kate in Stranraer, Probably from George Paysden |
|
| Maurentania |  | Text | John Paysden | James Paysden | JP on HMS Powerful. John is having a trip with his father. Garston is near Liverpool Docks | |
| Remember Me |  | Text | George Paysden | Mary | George is in Melbourne, Australia. The xxxx suggests romantic link? | |
| Brooklyn |  | Text | George | Kate Paysden | Kate at Loch Ryan St Stranraer. From new York. Mentions Harry | |
| Broadside Salvos |  | Text | 8 July 1916 | Sandy Boy | Kate Paysden | Kate in Stranraer |
| Manchester Town Hall |  | Text | JH | Kate Paysden | Kate at Brookvale House. Is this from Jean Hogg or John Higgins? | |
| Port Soderick |  | Text | 12 July 1913 | Jack | Kate Paysden | Kate at Woodcot Avenue. Is Jack John Paysden. Postmark is IOM |
| The Bay Bangor |  | Text | 1913 | George? | Kate Paysden | Kate at Woodcot Avenue. Could this be from George Paysden? |
| Southampton |  | Text | HB | Kate Paysden | Kate at Brookvale House | |
| Central Station Sydney |  | Text | 14 May 1914 | George | Kate Paysden | Kate "going with Harry". George thinking of staying in USA. Asks about Mary and Sam Mahood. Mentions Jeanie & Sam, presmably Hogg |
| Singer New York |  | Text | George | Kate Paysden | In Jamacia but will write again from NY. | |
| Washington Arch New York |  | Text | George | Kate Paysden | Mentions Sam Mahood, Mary and Harry | |
| Woolworth New York |  | Text | 1913 | George Paysden | James Paysden | James on HMS Powerful. George left Tenadores, joining SS Byron. Mentions Jeanie and Mouth organ. |
| Bassaleg Village |  | Text | John Paysden | Mrs J Kendal | Kate at Brookvale. On SS Kist, Mentions Jasey Poss Jon. Mentions her married, Nancy, Christmas and Jeanie. | |
| Giddy Belfast |  | Text | 24 Jan 1916 | Jonathan Kendal | Kate Kendal | Jonathan on HMS Tiger. Kate heading for Stranraer. |
| Man on Horseback |  | Text | 1911 | Jim Brown | Kate Paysden | Kate at Brookvale. From New Jersey. Aks if the boy has proposed yet? |
| Defending the Empire |  | Text | 21 May 1916 | Jonathan Kendal | Mrs J Kendal | Kate at Brookvale. Probably from Jonathan Kendal |
| Birthday Wishes |  | Text | June | Jonathan Kendal | Kate Paysden | Kate at Brookvale. Kate had been in Stranraer. Missing her birthday. |
| Cat out of the Bag |  | Text | 15 Feb 1911 | Uncle JP ? | Kate Paysden | Kate at Brookvale. From Iowa. Unsure of who JP is. |
| Caught Napping |  | Text | 22 May 1916 | Jonathan Kendal | Mrs J Kendal | Kate at Brookvale |
| Waiting is Lonesome |  | Text | 23 May 1916 | Jonathan Kendal | Mrs J Kendal | Kate at Brookvale. JK will be home soon. |
| Smile |  | Text | Jack? | Kate Paysden | Lochryan Plcace Stranraer. Carson Home Rule Sticker. | |
| God Bless Husband |  | Text | Kate Kendal | Jonathan Kendal | War time, missed another birthday. Bring the war to an end soon. | |
| Tiger Roll of Fame |  | Text | Jonathan Kendal | Kate Kendal | On HMS Tiger. Mentions Battle of North Sea / Jutland | |
| Homeward Bound |  | Text | 18 Feb 1916 | Sandy Kid | Mrs J Kendal | Kate at 6 Lochryan Street, Stranraer. Edinburgh Postmark. Mentions JK |
| Pets in Bowl |  | Text | JP | Miss E Glenfield | Christmas Card to 17 Glenallen Street, Is JP John Paysden? | |
| Defending Our Coast |  | Text | 5506 | Jonathan Kendal | Kate Paysden | Kate at Brookvale. On HMS Tiger, mentions News in Papers. |
| A Hand Clasp |  | text | 1908 | Hubert Paysden | Kate Paysden | Kate at Poplar Villas. Hubert back in desert. Postmark is the Curragh |
| Alice |  | Text | Sarah | Kate Paysden | Kate on holiday in Stranraer. Sarah a friend from Dunvegan St. | |
| Defending Our Coast | x | xxxxxxxxxxxx | xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx | |||
| Black Eyed |  | Text | J Hall | Kate Paysden | Kate at Brookvale | |
| Come to Visit |  | Text | 14 Feb | Jonathan Kendal | Mrs J Kendal | Kate at Brookvale. Card passed by Censor |
| Dunfermline |  | Text | Jonathan Kendal? | Mrs J Kendal | Sounds lonely and down. On Ship | |
| Hands Across The Sea 2 |  | Text | 3 Sep 1914 | Jonathan Kendal | Kate Paysden | Coming up in the next Bucket after the Program? |
| Hands Across The Sea |  | Text | Jonathan Kendal | Mrs J Kendal | Tell me about the Trouble at home | |
| Home Means You |  | Text | Jonathan Kendal | Mrs J Kendal | Kate at Brookvale. Signed Sandy Boy | |
| In the Shade |  | Text | 5 Jul | Mary | Kate Paysden | Kate at Brookvale. From Bangor |
| Inversnaid Falls |  | Text | 21 Feb 1916 | Jonathan Kendal | Mrs J Kendal | Kate at Brookvale. Passed by Censor. Signed Sandy |
| Join Me |  | Text | 2 Aug 1916 | Jonathan Kendal | Mrs J Kendal | Kate at Brookvale. To: Mrs Sandy Kendal. He has toothache |
| Ladder |  | Text | 27 Apr 1909 | HWP | Kate Paysden | Kate at Poplar Villas, Prob from Cousin Hubert Paysden at Curragh. Hope all well with John improving |
| Lawk a Mussey |  | Text | 27 Jun | Jean Paysden | Kate Paysden | Kate at Poplar Villas. Sister asking any word from Father. Aunty? is fine. Jessie? |
| Little Mary |  | Text | 26 Feb 1906 | Jean Paysden | Kate Paysden | Kate at Poplar Villas. Glasgow postmark |
| Ma Calling |  | Text | 21 Feb 1911 | W.E. | Kate Paysden | Kate in Stranraer. Belfast Postmark |
| Miles |  | Text | 1916 | Jonathan Kendal | Mrs J Kendal | Kate in Stranraer. Edinburgh postmark. Sending card to Grandma? From Sandy Boy |
| Months and Months |  | Text | ||||
| My Darling |  | Text | 21 Jan 1916 | Jonathan Kendal | Mrs J Kendal | Kate at Brookvale. From SK. Quite Safe |
| Scott Monument |  | Text | 24 Jun 1916 | Jonathan Kendal | Mrs J Kendal | Kate at Brookvale. Wishes Kate a happy birthday |
| Spoon |  | Text | 22 Sep 1908 | Hubert Paysden | Kate Paysden | CO David Allen & Co, Litho Dept. Postmark The Curragh. From Cousin |
| The Harbour Portrush |  | Text | Aug 1910? | MG | Kate Paysden | Kate at Brookvale |
| The River Tay |  | Text | Kate Paysden | DW | For the sake of days gone by | |
| The Tradgedy |  | Text | 11 Feb 1911 | George Paysden | Kate Paysden | Kate in Stranraer. Remember me to all the girls |
| Wish I Were |  | Text | Jonathan Kendal | Mrs J Kendal | Kate at Brookvale. Sends towels and silk. Signed Sandy Boy | |
| Anchors Weighed |  | Text | Jonathan Kendal | Kate Paysden | Kate at Brookvale. Mentions papers and wounding of P Steel. From Sandy | |
| Comrades in Arms |  | Text | Jonathan Kendal | Mrs J Kendal | Kate at Brookvale. | |
| Comrades in Arms 2 |  | Text | 1 Jul 1916 | Jonathan Kendal | Mrs J Kendal | Kate at Brookvale |
| Devil Drives |  | Text | Tom? | Kate Paysden | Kate at Poplar Villas. Birthday wishes. Auntie is home by late boat | |
| Liverpool Shell |  | Text | George Paysden? | Kate Paysden | Signed GP. Kate in Stranraer. Regards to old folk, Remember me to "Nan" and all the girls. Lonely. Shell lifts up to reveal Pics etc | |
| Rest Content |  | Text | 1914 | ME | Kate Paysden | Kate at 11 Melrose Ave. From Finner Camp, Ballyshannon. Asks about JK |
| The Curragh |  | Text | 5 Aug 1909 | Hubert Paysden? | Kate Paysden | Probably cousin. From Curragh Camp. Asks about finger |
| Tying Knots |  | Text | Jonathan Kendal | Mrs J Kendal | A Grand Day. Asks about Finger? | |
| A Love letter |  | Text | Jonathan Kendal | Mrs J Kendal | Kate at Brookvale. No mail. Thinks mail going adrift over te "Rebellion" | |
| Birthday Greetings |  | Text | 23 Jun 1914 | Jean Hogg | Kate Paysden | Kate at Woodcot. Happy Birthday from Sister |
| Charity |  | Text | Jonathan Kendal | Mrs J Kendal | Letter to follow | |
| Dreadnought |  | Text | 12 Apr 1916 | Jonathan Kendal | Mrs J Kendal | Kate at Brookvale. Remember me to all at home and away.John's hand better |
| Dreaming Bout You |  | Text | Jonathan Kendal | Mrs J Kendal | Kate in Stranraer. Sending cards to Grandma & Grandda. Mentions SMrs McGargo? | |
| Im Lonesome |  | Text | 22 Dec 1915 | Jonathan Kendal | Mrs J Kendal | Kate at Brookvale. Sorry no Telegram |
| Jack Tar |  | Text | Oct 1915 | Kate Paysden | James Paysden | James in RN Hospital Plymouth. Mentions big toe. From Sister |
| Just Riding Around |  | Text | 15 Feb 1916 | Jonathan Kendal | Mrs J Kendal | Kate at Brookvale. What time do the next tax leave? Broody Kate Eh |
| My Scotch Bluebell |  | Text | 8 Mar 1911 | ? | Kate Paysden | Kate in Stranraer. Romantic Card but who is it from? |
| Quebec |  | Text | George Paysden | Kate? | George (brother) in Quebec. Remind me to Lillie | |
| The Angel |  | Text | Jonathan Kendal | Mrs J Kendal | Romantic Card | |
| Twas Glad |  | Text | 30 Mar 1916 | Jonathan Kendal | Mrs J Kendal | Kate at Brookvale. Thanks her for cards and letters |
| Bueno Aires |  | Text | 16 Sep | John Paysden | Kate Paysden | Kate at 44 Belmont Road. From brother on Lord Erne, Argentina. Ostrich feather. Sailing for Rotterdam |
| Fonf Regret |  | Text | 27 Dec 1912 | Jim | Kate Paysden | Kate at Brookvale. Stewartstown postmark. Is this from brother James or an earlier suitor? |
| George Square |  | Text | Aug | Jim | Kate Paysden | Kate at 44 Belmont Road. From Glasgow. Who is Jim? |
| Lest You Forget |  | Text | Mr T Matthews | Mr T Matthews | Asks about Skindpole Balentine. TM recently married. CO address | |
| Lips Meet Lips |  | Text | George | Kate Paysden | Is this her brother? Write to Mr Robinson. My hand on your tail? | |
| Memory Message |  | Text | 1 Apr 1916 | Jonathan Kendal | Mrs J Kendal | Remember me to all at home |
| Portpatrick |  | Text | 23 Feb 1911 | Kate Paysden | James Paysden | Kate in Stranraer. James in Brookvale. Grandpa is a lot better, Grandma has headache. Dirty wweather |
| Thinking of You 1 |  | Text | 23 Feb 1916 | Jonathan Kendal | Mrs J Kendal | Kate at Brookvale. Hope you arrived safe. |
| Thinking of You 2 | | Text | Jonathan Kendal | Mrs J Kendal | Kate at brookvale. Sent Sammy?? a card. I shall send Jean one | |
| Thoughts |  | Text | 10 May 1916 | Jonathan Kendal | Mrs J Kendal | Kate in Stranraer. I hope your headache is better |
| Troon |  | Text | 23 Feb 1911 | John Paysden | Kate Paysden | From brother in Troon on SS Eveleen. Kate in Stranraer. Regards to Grandma and Grandpa. Weather bad |
| With Love 1 |  | Text | Kate Paysden | Miss M Bell | To Maggie at Skipper Street. Hope your cold better | |
| Best of Pals |  | Text | Jonathan Kendal | Mrs J Kendal | Kate at Brookvale. Talks about marriage lines, papers, Strandtown and Whitehhall | |
| Clasp |  | Text | 21 Mar 1911 | Kate Paysden | Jack Gilchrist | To an admirer. Jack at Grosvenor manufacturing Company. Dont be disappointed? |
| Deep in the Roses |  | Text | George | Kate Paysden | Probably brother George. From Neath Abbey | |
| Fancier |  | Text | 28 Nov 1911 | Jim Brown | Kate Paysden | Kate at Brookvale. Jim in newport, USA. Asks about the boy and when he is coming over. Remind me to all at home |
| Golden Moments |  | Text | Billy | Kate Paysden | Invites Kate, Xmas night | |
| Happy Christmas |  | Text | 24 Dec 1909 | Hubert | Kate Paysden | Kate at brookvale. From cousin Hubert in Kent. Arrived home safe |
| Heart to heart |  | Text | Aug 1911 | Jack Gilchrist | Kate Paysden | Kate at McCaw Stevenson Orr. Still romance 5 months later |
| Lily of the Valley |  | Text | George | Kate Paysden | Prob brother George in Quebec. Asks about sister Jean, Sam and Lily? | |
| Lizzie Casson |  | Text | Lizzie Casson | Kate Paysden | Kate at Poplar Villas. Will be at school on Sunday then Knock Cemetery | |
| Safe Return |  | Text | Jonathan Kendal | Mrs J Kendal | Kate at Brookvale. Sent Photographs. Kate has been ill. Mentions a wedding | |
| Sleeping Beauty |  | Text | 13 Feb | Mina | Kate Paysden | Kate in Stranraer. From old Chum. Say you don't care. |
| Thistle |  | Text | 14 Aug 1912 | Jim | Kate Paysden | Kate at 43 Belmont Road. From Jim in Govan. mentions Kate's ususal good form. Regards to the "Fat Yin" |
| Thoughts from |  | Text | Jonathan Kendal | Mrs J Kendal | Reassure her that he is safe. Sends regards to folks at home | |
| Train |  | Text | 30 Oct | John Paysden | Kate Paysden | Kate in Stranraer. Belfast postman. John's foot better and starting work. Regards to Grandpa and Grandma |
| Violets |  | Text | 29 Feb 1912 | Ho | Kate Paysden | Kate at 40 Cluan Place |
| World to Give |  | Text | John Paysden | Kate Paysden | Kate was at Woodcote but overwritten with Stranraer address. Asks about Harry and the rest |
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