I am researching the life and work of my great great grandfather George Willis who was a photographer and early experimenter in photographic processes in Scarborough, Yorkshire. His sons carried on the business after his death in 1890 and unfortunately went bankrupt in 1900. Consequently, nothing from his career was passed down through the family.

I started collecting his photographs in 2007 and now have a good collection of CDVs, Stereoviews , cabinet cards and larger format photographs. I have been collecting research with a view to publishing. He had extensive correspondence with the Photographic News and sent photographs to them and to the Liverpool Amateur Photographic Association. I have been searching for these and would appreciate any help from anyone who could help me to find where they are archived.

George Willis was also engaged by Negretti and Zambra to go to Italy, France and Switzerland on a photographic expedition in 1862 or 1863 (It was reported in some Yorkshire papers in June 1863 but I don't know when he actually went). I would also appreciate any help finding the archive of these photographs as he is reported to have photographed Garibaldi and Layard amongst other 'illustrious personages.'

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