Postcards were created in 1870 and shot to popularity as a means of cheap, quick communication.

This, along with a craze to collect them, sparked the height of postcard sending from the early 20th century through to the First World War.

Local photographers the Sankeys documented life in and around Barrow around this time and photos contained in Signal Film and Media's online archive show not only amazing photographs, but the fascinating messages contained within them.

READ MORE: Barrow shipyard: The women war workers who fought for equal pay

(Image: Sankey archive) Ship Street Postcard from 1920s -"Barrow Dear E +I. Just to let you know we landed home alright-about 11, we were late from Preston. The Jowles (underlined) were A.I. Was it raining when you went back.

"I did not want to work today but the dust met us at the door, not seen Ma yet has I heard anything more about the holidays. it will be alright if that piece of ?? Dad showed you it's true love Ma and Dad xxx""

(Image: Sankey Archive) Piel Castle, 1937 - "Having a marvellous time - everything wonderful including weather & food ! Marvellous to see about 40 people eating 3 times~ day and no washing up to do. The time is going much too quickly, tho' we're looking forward to seeing the house, but will be sorry to leave all this. Hope the christening went off alright & everybody's well. Love to Auntie & David & yourself Marjorie & ?”

Avon Street, - "Bolton 14th Nov: 1925 Thanks for surprise parcel received today (Saturday) Will sample it later on - we are just fair - we keep on existing but the cold has been severe - Frost but no snow or rain since the floods of the 7th. Love A & JKS”

Furness Abbey - "17/9/68 . We haven't had any rain at all yet. This is typical of the type of terrain we traverse on our runs. Hardknott pass is supposedly the highest in England. [unclear name] is going on a civil service course all next week. So I'm afraid the golf game will have to be postponed till next vacation. Edward”

(Image: Sankey Archive)

Michealson Road, 1915 - "If you went to these more famous districts - Crummock Water & Buttermere you would not want to stay in the Lakes. All round them the scenery is so garden like & proper, & does not compare with the wildness of Wasdale & Eskdale.

"No fact the fact that no main roads pass thro the latter - (in fact no roads go through them) leaves them quite unspoilt. We had grand views from Scafell Pike. Philip.”

(Image: Sankey archive) Vickers Construction, 1912 - "Knott Farm Blawith Nov 21st Dear M. Just to Just to wish you Many Happy reTurns of the 23rd when it comes. Hope you are all quite well. What a wet summer we had it was a struggle to get the hay & its not any better yet “is it”? Kindest Regards from James he is a Wolf Cub now (???) from all at Knott ”

(Image: Sankey Archive) Top of war memorial - "August 15th - 21st 1918 A positively hideous photo of a not too beautiful church: but the "muddy pool" sermon came from it & much may be forgiven it for that. It stands on a mound & is a miniature S. Peters Rome - only this time the Devil took all four winds with him, when he vanished into the church.”

All images copyright The Sankey Family Photography Collection, courtesy of Cumbria Archives.