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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: Linda from Murton on Thursday 19 May 16 17:00 BST (UK)
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This is a Grogan ancestor. Can anyone please improve the quality of the photograph. A possible year from the style of dress would be much appreciated. Thank you.
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Cracking photo - plenty of detail on the dress for the experts to work with.
Do you have the original? If so, could you tell us what it is mounted on, and if there is any wording on front or back post a scan of it? We may be able to narrow down a date if there are photographer's details.
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Hello, many thanks for responding.
The photo is mounted on card. I did scan the rear but its quite dark brown.
It reads:
Artist and Photographer
Bolko Schmiechen - High Street West, Sunderland
Branch Establishment 38 Tower Street, West Hartlepool
No. (cant be certain but think it reads 51217
Hope this helps.
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Shall try and upload scan of rear
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Hi Linda
A clean up from me.
Caz
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Wow, Caz thank you so much. That is outstanding. ;D
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You're welcome Linda.
Um, I was bored!
Caz
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Sorry I am no good at dating. It is a beautiful dress
Pat
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Thank you Pat that is beautiful. Now just waiting for someone who can give me an approximate year. That way I can narrow down who it might be.
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Bolko Schmeichen had the two studios in Sunderland and West Hartlepool around 1885-1900, but I have not yet been able to find out when he set them up or closed them.
The search goes on!
Philip
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Thanks Philip.
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Hi, amazing picture and I was glad to restore
Egle
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Many thanks Egle. That is beautiful. Thank you for your time and trouble.
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Going by when the photographer was in operation 1885 - 1900 I shall have to take those dates and try and track down the relative. Many thanks to all of you for your help and information.
Linda
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I can narrow it down a bit.
The Gigot sleeve was a popular style pretty much throughout the 1890's. This particular variation was a later style & so can be dated 1896-99.
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Many thanks Jim. I can tie the date 1899 to a marriage. So think it may have been Hannah's wedding dress.
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So interesting to see that photo as I do believe that somehwere in my family tree is a Grogan. Hmm.
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I see an American link in the back of the photograph. Water "Colors". Either a typo or the photographer or the printer spelled the word that way accidentally or on purpose.
London Gazette 1886
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/25630/page/4791/data.pdf
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Thought I should mention that further research with the dates show that I was incorrect in assuming it was a Grogan photo. Its from another branch of the family, sorry.
Strange that about the spelling.