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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: Modmaple on Monday 27 August 12 16:27 BST (UK)
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Hello all. I/we have a problem and need your help. I'm a member of an 'old Newry photos' page on Facebook and we have a photo of a very large funeral, of someone we think must be of great importance. The photo has reached nearly 800 comments and there have been many splendid, educated guesses and suggestions but nothing concrete. The photo has also featured on the NLI page with requests to date and ascertain the deceased, to no avail.
So what we really need is a date from the clothes, the carriage and the street scene (Chapel St, Newry). There are hundreds of people in the photo, of seemingly all economic and social circumstances. I'm afraid I don't know the size, shape or form of the original: I just have the scanned photo. Sorry (I read the posting etiquette.)
Would anyone have a go at dating the photo? Our guesses range from the 1910s to the 1950s! Any and all help and suggestions would be much appreciated. Thank you.
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I can see why you have differences in the time span but this image would have been taken between the mid 1920's and possibly the late thirties. The Beret worn by the women came a fashion item from the mid 1920's and based on the Basque beret was worn in some quarters up to and including the war years but it was at its height during the 1930's, The other headwear worn by the women in the photograph was again popular during the mid to late 1920's and again throughout the early part of the 1930's. One thing that does strike me is that as there is a line either side of the hearse which only has women in it tends to make me think that it could be a funeral of a woman, possibly the mother of the two smartly dressed boys directly behind the hearse (but this is only my feeling about the set up of the mourners).
OR.
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Thanks OR, I'll take that back to the group and we can start searching old newspapers in Newry library. Some good stuff there! :)
Any other thoughts and suggestions greatly appreciated from anyone else, thanks in advance.
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Do you know where in Newry that the photo was taken? If so, you may be able to narrow the date down by comparing other photos of the area to match buildings etc. such as the chimneys in the background.
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possibly the mother of the two smartly dressed boys directly behind the hearse
There are 3 boys directly behind the hearse, but I take your point!
All those women and not a handbag in sight! Is that significant?
Linda
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Most of us believe the women flanking the coffin to be a colour party of some kind, an escort.
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Do you know where in Newry that the photo was taken? If so, you may be able to narrow the date down by comparing other photos of the area to match buildings etc. such as the chimneys in the background.
A good idea - I've forwarded your suggestion, thanks.
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Is that a vicar about ten back from the boys in the centre?
If so, maybe there is a local photo of him which may help date this one
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I agree with Old Rowley that it looks like the funeral for a woman, the front floral arrangement on top of the hearse looks like to could be in the shape of a hat. The 3 women in line behind the woman in the cloche hat could be sisters, there looks to be a facial similarity. Sisters of the woman who died possibly? Or cousins?
:-\
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Womens hats and fur collars are like my nans wore in 1935 when my mom was born, photo taken with a jubilee mug. The hats of the men are like some we've have taken late 1920's. Yes that looks like a vicar to me. The women in the line are wearing black armbands. The young lads look to be wearing a small badge on the right side.
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Any idea when Newry got electricity, there are poles in the background. Might give you a 'has to be later than date'
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There might be another vicar in the doorway by a doorway on the left by the columns. Is a staunch party member /local figure of some description as its a massive following. Where are the graveyards nearby and what is known of wellknown local figures buried there.Narrowing years down would give less years to trawl through burial registers. Then funerals could be looked for in the newspapers. There's a uniformed man on the left also.
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If you blow the photo up to 200% on the casket appears to be H87U or HB7U. It is just above the ladies head who is wearing the cloche hat.
Whether it is on the actual casket or whether it is the photographers identifying mark I can't say
The proportion of men to women seems out of kilter as well to me. About 90% of the people there are men. Could it be that perhaps the deceased was the wife of a respected mill/mine/factory owner and that his workers have turned out as a mark of respect and support for him.
A lot of the blokes there appear to be working class judging from their attire whilst others are very well dressed. There are even a lot of onlookers on the RHS who are not part of the procession but appear to be there to show respect rather than just looking on.
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I would date the photo definitely early 30's- 1930-35 i would say. My mum's aunt died in 1933 and a photo was taken of her sisters beside the grave- one was wearing a coat with a huge fur collar almost identical to one of the ladies in the picture.
Newry isnt such a large place- its got to be someone like a mill owner, politician etc. A public figure of some sort. Either that, or someone who died in very tragic or exceptional circumstances which attracted a large number of public mourners.
Good luck!
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Could those letters be a grave plot number?t Area , plot, row etc.
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On the left of the photo behind the hearse is a chap in uniform-I thought it was a policeman at first but found a similar uniform worn by the Newry fire brigade. Perhpas the date could be narrowed down by the unfiorm or the person?
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You must be talking about the man in uniform i mentioned i must admit i was sure whether police, fire brigade or what. There must be another record of this funeral somewhere as it is so bog and the variety of people. I bet people will be kicking themselves when they find out. I'd be tempted for a tour round the local cem looking around the years in question.
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this link may be of interest
http://www.newrymemoirs.com/stories_pages/mayhem1921-1923_1.html