Carte de Visite (CDV) were hugely popular from the late 1860's through to around 1900. People had batches of their own photographs printed to distribute to their friends, and in turn collected copies of pictures of their friends, making them the Victorian and Edwardian equivalent of Facebook.
The CDV's in this gallery were all produced by Darlington studios including Cooper, McLiesh, Spetch and Coulbeck so it is reasonable to assume that they are of residents of Darlington. Frustratingly it is rare to find a CDV with the name of the sitter on it, but if you are able to match up any of the pictures here with ancestors in your Darlington family tree please post a comment and get in touch.
Cooper
Margaret & Harry Nottger in Salvation Army uniform, sent to Meggie, Harry's sister in Huddersfield
James Lamont
Elizabeth Ann Lamont
Two NCOs at Richardson's Studio
Poynter
McLiesh
Tailoress from the Co-operative Stores in Priestgate