Sentimental Sunday - Little Women

This CDV photograph of a mother and her four daughters from the Civil War era, reminds me of one of my favorite books, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.  The mother and three of the girls have unusual hair decorations.  This photograph, although it is a little scratched up, is a   real treasure and sadly has no identifying marks such as names or location.  

Sweet Boston Miss - Marian A. Tyler (Taylor)

Marian A. Tyler (Taylor) Aged 8

This beautiful little girl, Marian A. Tyler (or Taylor), aged 8 is so sweet - she has such lovely eyes. Note the gorgeous lace collar on her dress and the intricate locket around her neck. I believe this picture to be from the late 1800's. The photographer was A. F. Pepper, 1051 Tremont Street, Boston, Mass.  

I looked at Ancestry.com and there is a Marian A. Taylor born in April 1892 in Massachusetts to Elias and Addie Taylor.  She married William Lewis about 1907.  There was also an Marion A. Tyler (Taylor) born Dec 1895 in Massachusetts to Henry and Adra Taylor.  I suspect the first Marian to be a better bet.

Almost Wordless Wednesday - New York City Immigrant Family

I like this cabinet photo of a family in New York City, I'm guessing early 1900's.  The mother looks quite proud of her brood and the little girls look so cute in their matching, and I'm sure, homemade dresses.  Written on the back it says, Giovanni, Meg I think, Annetta, Leone and possibly Anissa.    Photograph is by The 14th St. Studio, 212 E. 14th St. N.Y.

Sentimental Sunday - Did Great-Great-Grandma Dress Like This?

I guess it's just an offshoot of my years of genealogical research, but suddenly I find I'm obsessed with the fashions my ancestors wore.  Look at this sassy turn-of-the-century miss.  I believe this picture to be about 1900 give or take a couple of years either way.  I'm currently trying to educate myself on how to date old photographs and what an interesting subject that is!!  I look at this picture and have to wonder if any of my great-grandmothers dressed like this.  This S-bend silhouette came into fashion about 1900 and the look was created by wearing an S-curve corset that contracted the waist and tilted the bosom forward.  This photograph was taken by Estranders, Schenectady, New York and on the back it says "A Merry Christmas to Bertha from Minnie."  Well, you are looking very smart there Miss Minnie!

Somewhere in Time?

This picture of a beautiful and serene woman reminds me of one of my favorite movies, Somewhere in Time, with Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve.  The movie was based in 1912,  but I believe this picture to be dated about five to ten years earlier than that.   The picture was taken in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania by S. B. Rifer and there is nothing to identify this beautiful and ethereal mystery woman. 

Civil War Era Couple CDV

Here's a young Civil War era couple - don't they look very formal.  This is a CDV (Cartes de Visit) photograph.  They were photographed by Nick & Knecht, Excelsior Traveling Artists.  Note the Civil War revenue stamp on the back - this photo was taken between 1864 and 1866.

Wordless Wednesday - Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

What more is there to say?  This picture taken of three young ladies in Butler, PA by photographer Criley & Aland leaves me speechless.  Photograph was taken sometime in the 1890's.

Woman with Hat 1903

Here's a great picture of a woman in a hat - I love hats!  There is no photographer marking, but on the back it says "Elsie to Gramma, 1903."  This is such a great picture and it is in wonderful condition.  

I also love her eyeglasses.

Sweet Sailor Boys

Look at these two sweet boys - not sure of the time frame, but the photographer was Sol Young of New York.  these faces are absolutely precious and there are no identifying names anywhere on this photograph.  How sad.

Chicago Women - Mid 1890's with Great Hats!

What a great photo this is - I would love to know the story behind this picture!  Are they sisters, friends?  This is a group of four women taken in Chicago around the turn of the century.  The photographer is Spencer, 1520 Ellis Avenue, Chicago, Il.  I absolutely love this picture.

Update:  Now that I have a little more knowledge of Victorian fashion I know that these women posed for this picture sometime in the 1890's, probably mid-90's.

Vintage Photographs - My New Blog

As an offshoot of my two blogs Rogers Family History and Teresa's Tangled Roots I have stumbled into a collection of vintage photographs, mostly through my eBay addiction.  It has always disturbed me how many thousands and thousands of "ancestor" photos are out there in antique stores and on eBay that no one knows who they belong to.  As a genealogist who would give anything to have pictures of her ancestors, it just kills me to see these orphan pictures unclaimed my anyone. These are someone's family, their ancestors and I wonder sometimes as I look at them if one of them could possible be one of my ancestors.  As a collector of anything and everything, I have started buying up some of these photos and felt I needed to start sharing these somehow.  Most have no names - why didn't people put names on the back of these pictures?!?  I will try to post many of the many photos I have, perhaps someone will recognize one or two.  If you do, please let me know, I would be happy to reunite these photographs (people) with their descendants if contacted.