William Barrett was born in 1816 at Budleigh Salterton, near Sidmouth in Devon in 1815. He first appears in the 1841 Census with his wife Frances (Fanny). Both are described as Artists. He first appears in the 1859 Post Office Directory as an Artist living at 71 South Street in Bridport. Both he and his son were to operate from this address until 1925.There is no record of The Barretts in 1851 Census as they were living in Paris, France. The record of this is their daughters being born there. Ellen was born in 1848 , but died in Paris in 1856, aged 8 years and Cecile was born there in 1852. From that evidence they were living there from at least 1848 until 1856.  He may well have tried his luck in that city before returning to England and moving to Bridport. There is no entry in The Post Office Directory for Bridport in 1855, but he is listed in the 1859 edition.
The 1861 Census has his occupation as both Artist and Photographer. By then he is aged 45 and his wife Frances is aged 48. They have a daughter, Augusta, aged 17 who is shown to be a music teacher. It is Reginald who is 15 and will follow in his fathers footsteps as a Photographer. William's sisters, Angelina and Emily are living with them and are decided as Artists and Photographers. The two sisters in time set up their own Studio in The Butter Market, which was part of South Street in Lyme Regis. 
The 1871 Census has both William and his son, Reginald as photographers. It is intersecting to see that his daughter, Cecile, then aged 18 was born in Paris. A decade later and they are living and operating from 71 South Street. A survey of Lodgings in Bridport shows Reginald Douglas Barrett paying 10/- a week to his father for a sitting room and work room on ground floor and a bedroom  on the third floor. By 1891 William has lost his wife, Frances and is living with his son,Reginald, now aged 45. William dies in 1898 aged 79 and the business continues under the ownership of his son. In 1900 aged 54, he marries Gertrude Whiting, aged 42. She had previously been in business with her brother, William Whiting at 315 Holloway Road in London. They were to have no children and lived and worked in South Street. But by 1919 he retired and moved to 35 Dukes Avenue. He died in 1925, aged 80. It is interesting to see that shortly before he died in 1923 that Claud Hider was to open his photographic Studio in South Street, where the Barrett's had operated for over 60 years before him.
 Cecile died in 1872 aged 20 in Bridport. Ellen died in 1856 in Paris aged 8.William is buried in Bridport Cemetery grave row W79.France's died in 1890 aged 81.

There is no record of The Barretts in 1851 Census as they were living in Paris, France. The record of this is their daughters being born there. Ellen was born in 1848 , but died in Paris in 1856, aged 8 years and Cecile was born there in 1852. From that evidence they were living there from at least 1848 until 1856.

1861 Census South Street Bridport - William Barrett

South Street; William; BARRETT; Head; Mar.; 45; Artist & Photographer; Devon Sidmouth; RG1368/F30

; ; Frances; BARRETT; Wife; Mar.; 48; Artists wife; Devon Budleigh Salterton; RG1368/F30

; ; Augusta; BARRETT; Daur.; ; 17; Music Teacher; Devon Budleigh Salterton; RG1368/F30

; ; Reginald; BARRETT; Son; ; 15; Scholar; Devon Budleigh Salterton; RG1368/F30

; ; Cecile; BARRETT; Daur.; ; 9; Artist's Daur.; France British Subject; RG1368/F30

; ; Angelina; BARRETT; Sister; Un.; 38; Artist & Photographer; Devon Sidmouth; RG1368/F30

; ; Emily; BARRETT; Sister; Un.; 35; Artist; Devon Sidmouth; RG1368/F30

On 20th April 1900, Gertrude Aspland Whiting married Reginald Douglas Barrett (born 1845, Budleigh Salterton, Devon), a professional photographer from Bridport, Dorset. On the marriage document, Gertrude gives her age as 42, and her husband Reginald Barrett is recorded on the certificate as a 54 year old "Photographer". Reginald Douglas Barrett was the son of an artist and photographer named William Barrett, who had a studio in South Street, Bridport. Reginald Barrett and his father were in business as photographers at 71 South Street, Bridport, for many years, trading under the name of Barrett & Son. Reginald Barrett took over the studio in South Street when his father died. In both the 1901 and 1911 census, Reginald and Gertrude Barrett are shown living at 71 South Street, Bridport, Dorset. No profession is given for Mrs Gertrude Barrett (Aspland Whiting), but her husband,  Reginald Douglas Barrett is recorded on both census returns as a "Photographer" working "at home" on his "own account". However, given her long experience in photography, it is likely that Gertrude assisted her husband in his studio.It appears that the Aspland Whiting studio at 314 Holloway Road was in business from about 1895 until around 1900. The studio might have closed after Gertrude Aspland Whiting left North London to live with her new husband in Bridport, Dorset. William Aspland Whiting remained in North London after his sister Gertrude's departure. At the time of the 1901 census.

The Postcard commemorates Queen Victoria`s 60 th Anniversary of her becoming Queen. Reginald Barrett, whose address is on the back must have reused one of their glass plates from 1897 to produce this postcard.