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.