By: Richard Ollerton17th Jul 2024 3:32PMWilliam Thomas [not "J"] Dent (1844-1901) is seated middle row, to his left is his wife Isabella Dent (nee Ferry, 1845-1908).

Their children and families in January 1897 are:

Elizabeth Isabella Dent/Heslop (1864-1919) sitting 1st right middle row and husband Matthew Heslop standing 1st right back row (no children).

Sarah Ann Dent/Noble (1866-1943) and husband Henry James Noble sitting/standing 2nd right (with children Elsie Amenda b.1888 and Arthur Lydney b.1890 sitting foreground to left).

Mary Hannah Dent/Marchant (abt 1868/9-1947) sitting (probably) 2nd left and husband Albert Marchant standing 2nd left (with children Sidney Dent b.1892 standing end right and Stella Merita b.1894 sitting foreground to right).

Isabella Dent/Bell (1871-1932) sitting (probably) 1st left and husband Edward Bell (1871-1952) standing 1st left (with children Verlie Lillian b.1893 standing middle row and Horace Oruba b.1896 in arms). [Isabella's sister Mary seems to be be holding baby Horace - the other children are similarly not with their parents.]

William Thomas Dent Jr (1869-1942) standing middle back row and wife Mary Jane Smith/Dent sitting with his hand on her shoulder. They were married 23 December 1896 - possibly the reason for this family occasion.

Ada Martha Dent (1876-1913) sitting middle foreground in front of her father WT Dent.

See also livinghistories.newcastle.edu.au/nodes/view/46279 and livinghistories.newcastle.edu.au/nodes/view/45589.