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Shadows of York: the inspiration behind Shadows of the Lost Child (novel)

A look at the stories and research which informed my second novel Shadows of the Lost Child. Shadows of the Lost Child is a partly historical mystery with a…

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Jackie Ivison

Shadows of York: the inspiration behind Shadows of the Lost Child (novel)

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Ellie Stevenson

Ellie Stevenson

Shadows of York: the inspiration behind Shadows of the Lost Child (novel)

Another view of Stonegate, which captures the essence of Curdizan around the time of the story. York England, North Yorkshire, Old Town, United Kingdom, Medieval, Ancestry

North Yorkshire

Another view of Stonegate, which captures the essence of Curdizan around the time of the story.

The novel is set in two time periods - the present and the late 19th century. In the present, Aleph moves into a rented house in Curdizan High - inspired by the house in this picture. This was a very real house in Bedern, York (see the far right), but was sadly demolished in the 1890s. In the story, the house was once the Old Schoolhouse, although Aleph doesn't know that when he rents it. It might also be haunted... Barcelona Cathedral, 19th Century, Mystery, Old Things

Barcelona Cathedral

The novel is set in two time periods - the present and the late 19th century. In the present, Aleph moves into a rented house in Curdizan High - inspired by the house in this picture. This was a very real house in Bedern, York (see the far right), but was sadly demolished in the 1890s. In the story, the house was once the Old Schoolhouse, although Aleph doesn't know that when he rents it. It might also be haunted...

The archway here, leads to Bedern in York (UK). This area is known for its associations with the legend of the Children of Bedern, which, along with Bedern and Hungate themselves, was also an inspiration for the novel. Scary Places, Strange Places, Haunted Places, Abandoned Places, Places To See, Abandoned Prisons, Creepy Things, Places Around The World, Around The Worlds

Abandoned Places

Abandoned Prisons

Places Around The World

Around The Worlds

The archway here, leads to Bedern in York (UK). This area is known for its associations with the legend of the Children of Bedern, which, along with Bedern and Hungate themselves, was also an inspiration for the novel.

In past times, Bedern used to be a desirable area with large houses and orchards, but over the years the area deteriorated, and by the late 19th century many of the lovely old houses (like 'Aleph's house') became run down and over-populated. Sadly, many were demolished and replaced by grim tenements. Large Houses, Old Houses, Medieval Houses, Orchards

Medieval Houses

In past times, Bedern used to be a desirable area with large houses and orchards, but over the years the area deteriorated, and by the late 19th century many of the lovely old houses (like 'Aleph's house') became run down and over-populated. Sadly, many were demolished and replaced by grim tenements.

Another look at old Bedern, the inspiration for Curdizan High in Shadows of the Lost Child. Anyone going through the arch would find themselves on Narrowboat Lane (we know it as Goodramgate). Narrowboat, Louvre, Children

Another look at old Bedern, the inspiration for Curdizan High in Shadows of the Lost Child. Anyone going through the arch would find themselves on Narrowboat Lane (we know it as Goodramgate).

Poor Children, Jane Eyre, Historical Romance, Christmas Carol, Schools, Homeschool

Historical Romance

Christmas Carol

Goodramgate, York - the place which inspired Narrowboat Lane, where Matt McCarthy's shoe shop is in the 19th century. Tom's old school friend Percy works there. Shoes feature quite a bit in Shadows of the Lost Child. History Pics, Jacobean, Past Life, Shoe Shop, Townhouse

Goodramgate, York - the place which inspired Narrowboat Lane, where Matt McCarthy's shoe shop is in the 19th century. Tom's old school friend Percy works there. Shoes feature quite a bit in Shadows of the Lost Child.

In and around Hungate, York (UK) which was the inspiration for Curdizan Low where Tom lived. Hungate, demolished in the 1930s was a lively working class community with pubs, shops and pawnshops. Like Tom's life in Curdizan Low, life would be tough but no-one would be short of company! Low Life, Working Class, 1930s

In and around Hungate, York (UK) which was the inspiration for Curdizan Low where Tom lived. Hungate, demolished in the 1930s was a lively working class community with pubs, shops and pawnshops. Like Tom's life in Curdizan Low, life would be tough but no-one would be short of company!

Haver Lane, Hungate, York (UK), before demolition. In the late 19th century, Tom lives his life in streets like this one. Old Photos

Haver Lane, Hungate, York (UK), before demolition. In the late 19th century, Tom lives his life in streets like this one.

There was a good sense of community in working class areas like Hungate, York (shown here, around 1907), but money was often short. Children like Tom would work or beg, and items were often pawned on Mondays to be redeemed at the end of the week when the pay came in (for those lucky enough to be in work). Vintage Photos, Slums, British History, Lake District, Pilgrimage

British History

There was a good sense of community in working class areas like Hungate, York (shown here, around 1907), but money was often short. Children like Tom would work or beg, and items were often pawned on Mondays to be redeemed at the end of the week when the pay came in (for those lucky enough to be in work).

This is a street which used to exist in Hungate, York (UK). This street was used as inspiration for Tom's street Haversham Road which backs onto the mill where his dad, Scotty works. Tom's house therefore has no windows at the back, which makes it dark inside. Victorian Life, Duke Of York, Black And White Photography

Black And White Photography

This is a street which used to exist in Hungate, York (UK). This street was used as inspiration for Tom's street Haversham Road which backs onto the mill where his dad, Scotty works. Tom's house therefore has no windows at the back, which makes it dark inside.

Here we see Leetham's Mill on the river Foss (see also the previous image): this was a major source of employment for people living in Hungate (the inspiration for Curdizan Low). Tom's own house wasn't far from a river - not always a good thing in the hot summer months when the smells from the dung heaps on the river bank were strong! River Bank, Summer Months, Willis Tower

Here we see Leetham's Mill on the river Foss (see also the previous image): this was a major source of employment for people living in Hungate (the inspiration for Curdizan Low). Tom's own house wasn't far from a river - not always a good thing in the hot summer months when the smells from the dung heaps on the river bank were strong!

In Victorian/Edwardian England a lot of pubs were simply houses on streets like this one. Tom has a part-time job washing glasses in a pub in Curdizan Low - the Keepsake Arms. Miranda the landlady’s daughter is a friend of his, even though she is ‘all grown up’ (Miranda is 18!). Part Time Jobs, History Photos, Historical Photos, Arms

Historical Photos

In Victorian/Edwardian England a lot of pubs were simply houses on streets like this one. Tom has a part-time job washing glasses in a pub in Curdizan Low - the Keepsake Arms. Miranda the landlady’s daughter is a friend of his, even though she is ‘all grown up’ (Miranda is 18!).

Legend says that putting a boot in a newly constructed building is meant to bring luck. Miranda's mother keeps such a boot behind the bar in the pub (the Keepsake Arms). But then... the boot goes missing. Who has taken it and will the pub's luck vanish with it? Is the boot of greater significance? Finding the boot is one of the mysteries Tom has to solve - and he enlists the help of a friend. Victorian Era Dresses, Victorian Shoes, Fashion Shoes, Fashion Accessories, 1890s Fashion, Thick Socks, Period Costumes, Italian Fashion

Victorian Era Dresses

Victorian Shoes

Fashion Accessories

Period Costumes

Italian Fashion

Legend says that putting a boot in a newly constructed building is meant to bring luck. Miranda's mother keeps such a boot behind the bar in the pub (the Keepsake Arms). But then... the boot goes missing. Who has taken it and will the pub's luck vanish with it? Is the boot of greater significance? Finding the boot is one of the mysteries Tom has to solve - and he enlists the help of a friend.

Tom has several friends, one of whom is Ben, an undertaker. Ben makes his own coffins and hangs them on the wall in his space. This room is slightly larger than Ben's and has more light. Ben also has a yard next door with a pony, Norah and a cart to transport the coffins to the church. Tu Me Manques, French Grey, Next Door, Paris, Short Stories, Gray Color

Tom has several friends, one of whom is Ben, an undertaker. Ben makes his own coffins and hangs them on the wall in his space. This room is slightly larger than Ben's and has more light. Ben also has a yard next door with a pony, Norah and a cart to transport the coffins to the church.

Some of the better houses in Curdizan Low have railings around them and brass rappers. Ben has to visit such a house when somebody dies and Tom is keen to go with him. But Tom wouldn't want to know the full story. Good House, Railings, Houses

Some of the better houses in Curdizan Low have railings around them and brass rappers. Ben has to visit such a house when somebody dies and Tom is keen to go with him. But Tom wouldn't want to know the full story.

Louise is also a friend of Tom's. Her family is very poor so they live in a tenement in Curdizan High. 'If I had to live in a flea pit storeys high, I'm sure I'd forget to go to school. School would be just a dream or something.' So says Tom, when Louise goes missing. Can he find her? School School, Fleas, City Photo, Forget

Louise is also a friend of Tom's. Her family is very poor so they live in a tenement in Curdizan High. 'If I had to live in a flea pit storeys high, I'm sure I'd forget to go to school. School would be just a dream or something.' So says Tom, when Louise goes missing. Can he find her?

Aleph has his own secrets - the mysterious black-edged envelopes that arrive regularly, that he keeps in a box. What do they mean? Condolence Letter, Black Paper, White Paper, Condolences, Black Letter, Victorian Era, Vintage World Maps, Stationery

Condolence Letter

Vintage World Maps

Aleph has his own secrets - the mysterious black-edged envelopes that arrive regularly, that he keeps in a box. What do they mean?

Marianne Parks of Cloud House Properties, the estate agency Aleph rents the house from also has a connection to it. What does she know that Aleph doesn't? House Property, Property For Sale, Brentwood Essex, London City, You Must, Marketing

Property For Sale

Brentwood Essex

Marianne Parks of Cloud House Properties, the estate agency Aleph rents the house from also has a connection to it. What does she know that Aleph doesn't?

Then there's Alice. Alice isn't quite like other girls - she lives in the present and uses her iPad to talk to people. But Alice has a special gift - she can cross time. When Alice meets Tom, the past and the present begin to collide - with fatal consequences... Live In The Present, Stock Footage, Special Gifts, Alice

Live In The Present

Then there's Alice. Alice isn't quite like other girls - she lives in the present and uses her iPad to talk to people. But Alice has a special gift - she can cross time. When Alice meets Tom, the past and the present begin to collide - with fatal consequences...

There are other mysteries to solve too. A necklace like this was special to Tom. Why was that, and who has the necklace? Child, Inspiration, Biblical Inspiration

Biblical Inspiration

There are other mysteries to solve too. A necklace like this was special to Tom. Why was that, and who has the necklace?

Miranda has a red satin dress she's very fond of. What happens to the dress and why does it matter? Red Satin Dress, Satin Dresses, Day Dresses, Gowns, Edwardian Fashion, Vintage Fashion, Old Fashion Dresses, Bathing Costumes

Red Satin Dress

Edwardian Fashion

Vintage Fashion

Old Fashion Dresses

Bathing Costumes

Miranda has a red satin dress she's very fond of. What happens to the dress and why does it matter?