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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: mead researcher on Saturday 12 November 16 23:16 GMT (UK)
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Hi from Down Under
I am posting an old photo of a group for possible dating please.
The people are believed to be from Ipswich, Queensland, Australia mainly because of the Photography Studio.
Whitehead Studio was very respected in Queensland and was based in Ipswich.
As can be seen 2 of the ladies are wearing identical outfits and the men look to have flowers on their lapels.
Opinion on the era of this photo would be much appreciated so I can either discount it as belonging to my family, or attempt further research if it seems possible that it might fit in.
Thanks in advance.
Barb
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Hello all
As a number of people have now looked at my photo and I have received no feedback, is it possible that is because the photo is of Aussie origin.....?
I realize fashions differed between UK and early Australia but had hoped someone might have some thoughts.
The 2 ladies wearing the same clothes poses the question - were they bridesmaids..?
To me the dresses don't look like "usual" wedding attire!
They were all - including the chaps - dressed up for something special.
Barb in Oz
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Few thoughts
1 check directories for period of operation of Whitehead studios
2 ask on boards about Whitehead studios maybe someone has a photo with the same mount that they have dated
I think you have tried to do the 2nd here but maybe specifying Whitehead studios in the heading might jog someone's memory
Could you also contact state library etc as I believe they may hold photos and maybe they have some mounted and dated?
good luck
phenolphthalein
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Many thanks phenolphthalein for your advice.
Will give it a go.
Barb
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Hello all
As a number of people have now looked at my photo and I have received no feedback, is it possible that is because the photo is of Aussie
.....
Barb in Oz
Are you local to ipswich? Have you approached the John Oxley library SLQ's images collection? In Brisbane. They have experts who would be very interested. ;)
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Thanks Janelle - I am on the G Coast but will follow up your suggestion.
Barb
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Barb,
I don't think the fact that this photo was taken in Australia is significant in you not receiving any replies. You only posted the photo a couple of days ago - sometimes you need to wait a while for an expert to come along.
May I suggest that you try to obtain a better scanof this photo. It is small and blurry when I try to zoom in to look at the detail. I think this is may be deterring people.
Contrary to popular belief, the fashions and dates would be similar worldwide. As to why the women are wearing the same outfits, we can only speculate. The men's buttonholes are likely to be significant. A clearer scan might reveal more detail and clues.
A quick glance makes me think this might be early 1900s.
Have you tried google? The studio still exists:
http://www.whiteheadstudios.com.au/whitehead-collection/people-weddings-portraits
(They were established in 1883 by FA Whitehead, so your photo will be later than that. :) )
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Hi mead
Given Ruskie's post, may I venture a suggestion. Maybe you could contact the photography firm. They might identify the era of the mount. They may also hold records or even dare one hope negatives of the time.
If they aren't able to help they might be interested in seeing a part of their own history.
regards
phenolphthalein
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Hi,
http://picture.ipswich.qld.gov.au/awweb/main.jsp
Leanne
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Edwardian but as Ruskie said it's difficult to get any closer because the detail isn't visible however I suspect this is around 1900-05 & what looks like 3 or 4 generations.
Fashions weren't any different in Australia as periodicals did the rounds on a regular basis so wouldn't have been more than a few months behind Europe.
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Thank you to Ruskie, Leanne, phenolphthalein & Jim1 for your input.
I had already contacted Whitehead Studios and have now sent off to John Oxley Library in Brisbane with a copy of the photo for their advice.
Can't really provide a better image as it was a photo taken of a photo seen in a shop (with permission), so it is just as it came from the shot.
At the time I hadn't considered looking into it too much as I was hoping the person who first showed me the image would be able to shed light on its background.
I almost feel it will turn out to have nothing to do with my family, but it's a case of doing some negative research which just could turn out to be positive.
So will wait to hear from the Studio and the Library.
Thanks again for suggestions.
Barb
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Here is a photo with more contrast from another contact.
May be helpful re detail....?
Still can't provide a scan of the original.
Barb
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Hi
Just a suggestion.
This photo looks like granddad, mum and dad, kids and grandkids (2 girls , 1 boy).
If you know family well could you bracket the photo by births of grandkids and maybe death of granddad. After all QLD bdm indexes are free. The youngest adult male also looks like he is only in his 20s. Also think about major events such as significant wedding anniversaries.
The men appear to be wearing a decoration of some kind other than flowers. dad and granddad just appear to have pocket handkerchiefs.
regards
phenolphthalein
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I was going to suggest similar. There are only two men wearing buttonholes, and they look a bit straggly. :)
Two women wearing identical dresses seems odd, especially considering their ages. The woman on the left seems quite old to be marrying. ;) I'm not convinced it is a wedding party due to the way the people are placed, with no obvious bride and bridegroom in he centre of the photo .... They look to be working class folks as though they appear to be wearing their best clothes, they still look a little 'scruffy'.
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I think it is a photo of four generations and that was most likely the reason for the photo. The young girl in the wicker chair could be ill as she looks frail and that could be the reason that she is seated...and could also be the reason for having a Family photo taken.
Just my thoughts.
Carol
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I think the little girl in the chair might be sitting on her hands (or have them by her side) so she doesn't move them during a fairly long exposure. Odd chance youngest child is a boy -- if young enough.
Other thoughts -- Lodge -- Votes for women (uniform?) -- Federation
Regards
phenolphthalein
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Hello again everyone.
No I don't have any idea who the family is, that's the reason for this enquiry re possible date....
Yes I had been thinking the 2 women were dressed in some kind of uniform.
Checking various options.
Thanks again.
Barb
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Hi
The young lass in the chair has her right elbow on the arm of the chair and her fingers of that hand up near her mouth. :) I think her left arm may be across her lap, but I am not sure.
Females in Qld aged 21 and over and British Subjects were eligible to enrol to vote for state elections from 1905, but had been eligible to vote in federal elections since federation.
https://www.qld.gov.au/about/about-queensland/history/women/right-to-vote/
JM