Dating Photographs

[skyetrekker]

I see a great need to have a thread dedicated to dating photographs.  I have several in my collection that has me stumped.  Ive been to libraries looking for books that tell one how to identify/date articles of clothing, accessories and the like.  However, I havent found anything helpful.  Im sure there is a treasure trove of information in someones experience that would prove helpful in such an endeavor....  I wonder what others think about this?

My problem - I live in the US and fashions were probably different. 

Any thoughts?

[Ninatoo]

Great idea...I spent ages online yesterday trying to identify the date of a photo I have just posted to the site to ask others for a date, because I was just getting nowhere!  A good list of sites suitable to help would be terrific.

I did find this one, which was helpful but I just got myself all confused anyway!

http://www.pastpatterns.com/index.html

Nina

[Polldoll]

Prue and Old Rowley are the ones you want to ask ... I'll pm them to get them to give you a hand.. What they don't know about dating old pics could be written on the back of a postage stamp!!
Polly

[skyetrekker]

This is an amazing list and Im truly thankful for finding it.  I'm going to post a couple of pictures and perhaps some folks can help me date them so I can identify who they are related to.  The quality isnt very good (perhaps someone can clean them up more than I have).  Im not as talented as some of you all out there and this is from a jpg that someone sent me.... so I dont have a scan.
I hope this starts some discussion because Id like to learn more about fashion and our ancestors.

These two photos were found in a tiny locket kept for years in a trunk.  We know the owner of the locket but her husband was very very dark as were most of her children so I think they may be her brothers.  Sarah was born in 1842 and passed in 1923. 

Thanks to all here.

[PrueM]

Hi all! 
Thanks Poll for the PM 

There are a number of really good sites for learning how to date photographs.  I put a list of them at the top of the Photo Restoration board,  hidden in a topic called "Conservation of Photos and Documents":
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,66915.msg296211.html#msg296211

Basically though, it all comes down to experience.  You have to look at dozens and dozens and dozens of photos, and cross-check what they show you with photos where a date is known, and even then sometimes it comes down to guesswork!  You'll build up a basic knowledge of fashion changes (clothes as well as hair, hats etc.), posing conventions, photograph processes, mount designs (the cards that old photos are stuck to) etc. and you'll be able to pick the dates before you know it!!

If you get stuck though, you can always come back here.  We love having a go! 

Prue

[Lady Di]

Some of us are really really GOOD at knowing the dates and some of us are really really BAD at even guessing the dates 

[PrueM]

Well Di that just goes to show what you can do with lots of practice!!!   

As for these two pictures, about as good as I can do is plant them in the 20th century (I think).  Possibly 1920s?  20th Cent isn't my strong point I'm afraid 

Prue

[skyetrekker]

Hi all!   
If you get stuck though, you can always come back here.  We love having a go! 

Prue

Well actually, would you give it a try here?  Id love to know what the more experiened folks think.  I be learning by visiting that site as I go on.

Thanks,

Aly

[old rowley]

Hi Aly,

Unfortunately there is nothing really to go on for dating these two photographs. Soft collared shirts had been worn in one style or another from at least 1890 however the shape of the collar would suggest to me a period shortly after the first world war. The type and style of jackets (from what can be seen of them)  could really be any time from 1900 but with the small stepped lapel I would say that it fits with the period of time that I have already suggested.

old rowley