Woman flies in from Canada to donate photo album of her great-grandfathers who both held the prestigious post

William Daniel Nichols Mayor of Peterborough 1894 Joseph Clifton 1893. Their decendants Pauline Koch, grandson Callum O'Heany and daughter Kennethe O'Heany and family presenting Pteerborough central Libary with a photo album about the two family mayors EMN-160316-161746009

Pauline Koch (83) made the 3,500 mile trip from Toronto to hand over the Victorian, leather-bound collection featuring William Nichols and Joseph Clifton which had been passed down to her by her grandmother in 1954.

Both men played a significant part in Peterborough’s history during the 19th and 20th centuries and the new collection shows newspaper clippings of the time and photos of the family through the generations.

With Pauline unsure who would treasure the album in the future, the family got in touch with Central Library, in Broadway, before flying over last month.

Joseph Clifton Mayor of peterborough 1893 EMN-160316-161756009

Pauline said: “We didn’t think it wise to ship the album - it was in rather fragile condition - so my husband suggested I take the album to the archives personally and, further, that my oldest daughter, Kennetha O’Heany, and her son, Callum O’Heany, accompany me, being three generations of descendants.

“My cousins Frances, Jacqueline, Bridgitte and Christopher, along with one of Frances’ sons, joined us for the presentation. It was a great experience. The archives’ people were very interested and extremely knowledgeable about the Nichols and Clifton mayoralties.”

Unlike today where the mayor serves for just a single year, Mr Nichols held the post on three occasions: 1886, 1894 and 1904.

Mr Clifton was himself mayor in 1893 and his daughter, Maud Marion Clifton, married Mr Nichols’ son Francis Henry Nichols.

William Daniel Nichols Mayor of Peterborough 1894 EMN-160316-161807009

Richard Hunt, director of culture at Vivacity, which runs the library, said: “They are two quite significant people in the history of this city.

“The 19th century history of Peterborough is comparatively under-researched. We do not know as much about it as we should do. It’s a period when the city changed beyond recognition.

“It stopped being a small agricultural city and became an industrial city.”

The role of mayor is today largely ceremonial, much as it was over a century ago. Richard added: “Their role was something between today’s mayor and a bit like leader of the council.”