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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: ZED on Friday 15 January 10 12:46 GMT (UK)
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This photo shows John McQuinn 1841-1929 and his wife Margaret (nee Irving) 1836-1917. John was a boot-maker and Margaret was a midwife.
They were married in 1870, and I'm wondering whether this might be a wedding photo? (Although their dog is in the picture too!)
The photo has obviously lost a lot of detail over the years, but I'm hoping that there may be enough clues to the date left in their garments!
(http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc132/House-of-Zed/JohnMargaretMcQuinn2.jpg)
Also, John appears to have a decorative walking stick ... does anyone have any idea of why this might be?
Thanks for your time!
Paula.
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Hi Paula
That walking stick reminds me of one I saw on an antiques tv programme.
It was called a pizzle stick :o :o :o :o :o
Judy ;)
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Thanks Judy
I've googled 'pizzle stick' ... and yes, I'd agree with those :o :o :o :o :o !!!
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Hello Zed
The plain skirt & what appears to be no bustle would put this late 1880's or possibly into the early 1890's but it would be better if we could see all of it plus back.
jim
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Possibly a small improvement
Hippy :) :) :) :)
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Gosh Hippy, that's an absolutely fantastic improvement ... many thanks! I'm now trying to understand what sort of confection Margaret is wearing on her head!
Ah, so not likely to be their wedding photo then Jim.
The photo was sent to me via email attachment from Australia, so that's as much of it as I have. (The McQuinns lived in Liverpool though - not Aus).
Thanks for your input.
Bestest,
Paula.
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It's a bonnet.These small hats came in small & extra small.They sat on top like this because of the chignon at the back of her head.
jim
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Jim, with the "bonnet" being so small could it be a Toque instead?
OR
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That's the word ! :D
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I couldn't think of the word either...all I could think of was "miniature St Patrick's hat"... :P :P ;D
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Paula
The Family Tree Magazine runs a section 'Photo info' by Audrey Linkman and also a Q&A section where photos have been published. These appear in the Readers' Question part of the magazine and may be worth you exploring this avenue.
I doubt if this is a wedding photo as the best man does not seem to be dressed for the occasion! ;)
Good luck
Keith
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I don't think the walking stick is a pizzle stick. It appears to have been carved or more likely been made from a stick that was selected because of the natural spiral of the wood. Stick makers would look for novelty young tree shoots or saplings ( usually Hazel or blackthorn) that had been 'taken over' by other plants such as ivy. The host stem would display the 'spiral'caused by the retarded growth along its length where the 'parasite' has grown around it.
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That's interesting, James.
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Not as interesting as they way they make a 'pizzle' Stick :D
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Very interesting info ... thanks all :)
I have just one other question though ...
Although the photo has been taken indoors (and I expect in a studio), the couple look as though they're dressed for the outdoors ... was this usual? (I have another couple of studio photos, but the subjects aren't wearing hats, capes, etc in those.)
Also, the 'studio' itself looks less 'contrived' than in the other photos that I have ... but am I right in assuming that portraits like this wouldn't have been taken in the subject's own homes?
Many thanks again for all the interesting input!
Paula.
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I presume Zed that they are most likely to have walked or travelled to the 'studio' in their out door clothes and never thought any thing else about it. I suspect that had they been photographed in their own home they would be wearing indoor clothes.
James
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Ah yes, of course ... thanks James!
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Have noticed you are doing McQuinn's in liverpool. i have a catherine mcQuinn born around 1850-possibly in scotland marrying michael collins in 1869 in west derby liverpool. Have you by any chance any connection to this catherine McQuinn??
ps are you in contact with barbara from australia on genes who is doing boot maker McQuinn's??
hopefully
frankie