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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: Dan Druff on Saturday 03 July 21 15:54 BST (UK)
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Hello
This 'photo was amongst my late mother's possessions. Unfortunately I do not recognise the people on the 'photo and there are no notations other than that it was taken in the 1950s.
Although living in Bradford, England, my mother's parents were from Ireland with known connections to Counties Laois, Mayo and Tipperary and the USA.
I was wondering if anyone out there recognises the Nun's Habit - I have checked out Google to no avail, and thus give me an inkling where the convent may be located. To all intents and purposes it appears that the Nun is probably a relative of one of the people in the 'photo.
Thank you.
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Background plants (cactus?) Makes it look american
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Welcome to Rootschat Dan
Can't help with the people, but does that look like cactus plants behind the nun and the man? Not sure if they grow like that in the UK. If not then that may suggest the photo was taken in the US?
Presumably you have no history of anyone in the family being a nun?
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Definitely a cactus growing out of the nun's head. A change from a halo.
What is the man holding? A child's toy?
Nun habits changed during 1960's. Nuns at my school sprouted legs, to the amazement of one child. ;D
Somebody on the photographic board may be able to see clues. Maybe give your thread a more specific title to include word "nun" + surname of your grandparents.
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Here are some sample nun outfits but I don't see one exactly like the one in your photograph:
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/sisters/
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looks similar to the habit that they used to wear at Notre Dame de Montreal but they have a black veil over the white. However that doesn't explain the cacti.
edit: On second thoughts i think it may be a novice from the order of scared heart of st mary. They have a convent in Southern California, that would explain the background. I don't think they wear this style of veil these days.
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Here are some sample nun outfits but I don't see one exactly like the one in your photograph:
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/sisters/
Thank you. I also looked on line to no avail
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looks similar to the habit that they used to wear at Notre Dame de Montreal but they have a black veil over the white. However that doesn't explain the cacti.
edit: On second thoughts i think it may be a novice from the order of scared heart of st mary. They have a convent in Southern California, that would explain the background. I don't think they wear this style of veil these days.
Thank you for your input.
Having failed to locate a similar habit I too thought it may be the Habit of a Novice. I will check out your named Order.
Thanks again.
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Definitely a cactus growing out of the nun's head. A change from a halo.
What is the man holding? A child's toy?
Nun habits changed during 1960's. Nuns at my school sprouted legs, to the amazement of one child. ;D
Somebody on the photographic board may be able to see clues. Maybe give your thread a more specific title to include word "nun" + surname of your grandparents.
Thanks for your reply.
I am fairly certain that the chap is holding a camera which suggest they are visitors to the area.
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Just to elaborate.
My mother's parents were Carroll with documented links to Mountmellick area of Co Laois and Caher in County Tipperary and McNulty centred on Killasser in County Mayo. If the people in the photograph were relatives I would plump for the McNulty connection.
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I'm not sure that the man is holding a camera. It doesn't look right. It appears to be in two colours and there are two long curved rods? that he is holding. If it is a camera it is a very strange one.
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It's hard to tell how old that nun is. Have you checked the 1940 census? She might have already been a nun at that time.
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I'm not sure that the man is holding a camera. It doesn't look right. It appears to be in two colours and there are two long curved rods? that he is holding. If it is a camera it is a very strange one.
You are correct. I jumped to the wrong conclusion.
I have now come up with this picture of the artefact and have come up with an idea of what it is.