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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: tyke_1 on Monday 06 June 11 17:19 BST (UK)

Title: Unknown graduate
Post by: tyke_1 on Monday 06 June 11 17:19 BST (UK)
I was given this photo along with many others unfortunately no one knew who she was. The photo was taken in Edinburgh and the date on the back is 3rd July 1937, I have contacted all colleges/ Uni's in Edinburgh area, I am currently awaiting a reply from Glasgow. I would appreciate help in finding out who she is.
Title: Re: Unknown graduate
Post by: km1971 on Tuesday 07 June 11 07:00 BST (UK)
Have you tried the local newspapers? They should list everyone graduating. You may recognise a name.

The colour of the 'hood' of the gown should indicate the faculty.

Ken
Title: Re: Unknown graduate
Post by: tyke_1 on Tuesday 07 June 11 12:22 BST (UK)
As the photo was taken in Edinburgh do you know which papers I should try, she didn't graduate from Edinburgh
Title: Re: Unknown graduate
Post by: still_looking on Tuesday 07 June 11 12:35 BST (UK)
I'd suggest the scotsman which does have an online archive but it is pay per view.

Edinburgh University had a graduation ceremony on the third.

How do you know that she didn't graduate from Edinburgh?

You put in your earlier post that you were trying all colleges/unis in the area and that you didn't know who she was. Just curious as to why you're so certain that she didn't.

S_L
Title: Re: Unknown graduate
Post by: Archivos on Tuesday 07 June 11 12:51 BST (UK)
A pale hood like that normally indicates an undergraduate Arts degree (history, English, etc).  Or at least, that's what it can be today - though without knowing the colour, it could be something different!

Did Edinburgh say she didn't graduate from there because the gown / hood / hat weren't what their graduates would have worn?  I'd contact Aberdeen and St Andrews as well, see if they can help.
Title: Re: Unknown graduate
Post by: tyke_1 on Tuesday 07 June 11 13:54 BST (UK)
Contacted Edinburgh quite some time ago they had no female students at that time. Also contacted St Andrews, not graduated from there. I did in fact contact several others which are now Uni's but weren't then, I have now contacted Glasgow, and am awaiting a reply
Title: Re: Unknown graduate
Post by: tyke_1 on Tuesday 07 June 11 21:08 BST (UK)
I have now got a 24hr pay for view, but I must be putting the wrong  words in the search as I'm not really getting the results I'm wanting.

How did one of you know the graduation ceremony of Edinburgh Uni was 3rd July? I found an article for 3rd July and the headline suggested it would give the names of students graduating but that was not the case.

I can see at this rate I'm just going to have to bite the bullet and fork out the search fee for the photographers!
Title: Re: Unknown graduate
Post by: PrueM on Tuesday 07 June 11 22:05 BST (UK)
Got to run, but here's some info about the photographers:
http://www.edinphoto.org.uk/pp_v/pp_yerbury.htm
Title: Re: Unknown graduate
Post by: PrueM on Tuesday 07 June 11 22:43 BST (UK)
Contacted Edinburgh quite some time ago they had no female students at that time.

I don't quite understand this...according to Wikipedia "The first female undergraduates at Edinburgh were admitted in 1892 and eight graduated in 1893... All classes were mixed except those for medical students. By 1914 a thousand women had degrees from Edinburgh University."
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edinburgh_Association_for_the_University_Education_of_Women)
Title: Re: Unknown graduate
Post by: PrueM on Tuesday 07 June 11 22:50 BST (UK)
Me again  ;D

Here's a list of hood colours/designs for the Uni of Edinburgh:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academic_dress_of_the_University_of_Edinburgh
Title: Re: Unknown graduate
Post by: jancis on Wednesday 08 June 11 07:35 BST (UK)
I just wondered how certain you are that the photo was taken
in Edinburgh.
I can see that the photographer was based in Edinburgh, but
when I graduated from an English Uni the photographer whose
studio was elsewhere was present at the ceremony, took the photos,
then contacted you later to offer the proofs (rather like a
wedding photographer).

By 1937 I would think that photographers could have set up
mobile studios, perhaps that needs research though.

Title: Re: Unknown graduate
Post by: Riojatinto on Wednesday 08 June 11 07:43 BST (UK)
Just to add more possibilities, she could have studied at any university and just had the photographs taken in Edinburgh.  When I graduated I had the photos taken in my home town, far  from the University I attended.
Title: Re: Unknown graduate
Post by: tyke_1 on Wednesday 08 June 11 11:21 BST (UK)
Thank you for all your input. I am certain she was Scottish because of my tree research, whether she attended Edinburgh really no idea but don't think so as I contacted Edinburgh Uni quite some time ago almost certain they said colours were not theirs.

Will continue the scotsman search today, but might just have to stump up the search fee to Yerbury's to find the name
Title: Re: Unknown graduate
Post by: still_looking on Thursday 09 June 11 12:55 BST (UK)
According to a web page which lists female mathematicians there were two female maths graduates of Edinburgh in 1937 so some ladies definitely graduated:

http://www-history.mcs.st-and.ac.uk/Davis/Indexes/Edinburgh.html

Maybe Edinburgh University mis-understood your question or thought you were asking for something more specific?

Like other posters I find it very hard to believe that there were no female graduates that year but it is possible that it's too recent for the university to supply details unless you can supply proof that you are related.

S_L
Title: Re: Unknown graduate
Post by: still_looking on Thursday 09 June 11 13:00 BST (UK)
Edinburg University graduation report in Glasgow Herald, includes list of graduates (women included)

http://news.google.co.uk/newspapers?id=iEJAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xYQMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6057,406886&dq=edinburgh+university+graduation+1937&hl=en