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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: Mark Crawford on Thursday 15 March 12 18:40 GMT (UK)

Title: Date required, please, for attached
Post by: Mark Crawford on Thursday 15 March 12 18:40 GMT (UK)

Liff Road, Lochee is almost certainly in Dundee but I haven't been able to find a reference to David Bell in the trade directories.

If I had an idea of year it would be much easier!

Thanks in advance
Mark

Title: Re: Date required, please, for attached
Post by: Seoras on Thursday 15 March 12 19:07 GMT (UK)

I can find a David S Bell living in Liff in 1901.In 1881 aged 22 he is living in Liff Road,Lochee but is a fitter.Perhaps he was a part time photographer or only tried it for a short time.He has a different trade again in 1901 and is missing from the 1891.A clothing expert is needed methinks.

Title: Re: Date required, please, for attached
Post by: chinakay on Friday 16 March 12 02:06 GMT (UK)

Well, the lady is pretty well covered up, but from the little we can see of her skirt I suggest mid-late 1870s.

Cheers,
China

Title: Re: Date required, please, for attached
Post by: Mark Crawford on Friday 16 March 12 11:02 GMT (UK)

Thanks guys - any other thoughts on the year?

Didn't occur to me to check for D S Bell in the census :( I'll have a look now and cross-reference the street directories.

Thanks
Mark

Title: Re: Date required, please, for attached
Post by: Seoras on Friday 16 March 12 12:10 GMT (UK)

Hi Mark,I get the feeling that photography was one of Mr.Bells early occupations and one he probably abandoned.The card back is simply a stamp rather than printed so he was working on a tight buget.

I don't know if there is any connection but a Helen McFarlane,wife of James McFarlane was living in Liff at the time,if this as China says was taken late 1870s,say 1879 she would have been 60.