A Lacy advert from the IW Observer 26 February 1859

My thanks to Ann Barrett for supplying the above adverts.

In the 1851 census William Lacey [sic] is recorded as being a 22 year old unmarried french polisher from Portsea, Hants, lodging at 4 Colonade Street, Ryde along with four other lodgers of various occupations. The head of the lodging house was Robert Jenkins (a mason), supported by his wife Eliza and their young family.

At the time of the 1861 census, William Lacey [sic] was still lodging at the same address run by Robert and Eliza Jenkins. In this census, William was recorded as a 31 year old photographer, still unmarried. William died later that year, his death being registered in Westminster, London.

According to the Probate Registry entry of January 1862, William died on 21 November 1861 at 379 Oxford Street, London. His will was proved by his executors George Wharton Simpson (a gentleman of Islington) and John Lacy (his uncle and builder of Battersea). His effects were valued at under £450, but this was changed to under £1000 in March 1862.

The photographer Jabez Hughes may have taken over Lacy's studio, as he was located in the Royal Arcade from 1862, albeit at number 6.

It is not known if the late W G Lacy was related to the photographer William Lacy who was active at St John's Road, Ryde in 1865.