Male or Female?

[silv]

perhaps she was a bit of a tomboy?

[Willow 4873]

Hiya all

Sorry I have to say I think the older child is a boy

Willow x

[PaulaToo]

Just a thought about the hair...
Looking at the way it seems to be pulled to the back of the neck...could it be bunched, that's why it looks short...................

[Mogsmum]

OK, for what it's worth, when I first looked at the photo right at the beginning of this thread, my immediate reaction was ... the boy is definitely the elder of the two children.

Might I suggest you take a look at this:

http://www.vam.ac.uk/moc/collections/costume/boys/boys_trousers/index.html

It explains about 'breaching' and that it could have taken place at any time when the child was between the ages of 4 and 8 years.   It also gives a picture of a 4 year old (don't cheat and read the blurb - see if you can guess 'its' sex!)

I have a photo of my grt.grandfather (David - together with his Mother), taken on his 7th birthday in 1867.   He has shoulder length, wavy hair and is wearing a dress (decorated at the neck and cuffs with lace), peeping beneath which can clearly be seen a lace or broderie anglaise underskirt or slip.   In addition, he is also clearly wearing frilly 'bloomers'.   Clearly, my David wasn't breached until after his 7th birthday - I'd like to think that 'out there somewhere' is a picture of him in his first trousers, being a farmer in a skirt would have raised all sorts of uncomfortable questions!!

[Willow 4873]

My grandmother dressed my father as a girl until he was five complete with ringlets and dress

He was born 1924 but his twin sister died at birth so we don't know if it was a reaction to that

Willow x

[honey-roma88]

It is such a puzzle isn't it?
Thank you all for your time and help. 

Willow - how tragic, I wonder if it was the death of the sister that led to it. 

EDIT - I have just ordered the Jane Holland death certificate which may help clear things up if it is her.

[Rabbit B]

Hi honey-roma88


Please let us know the verdict when you get it!

Rabbit B 

[honey-roma88]

Hi honey-roma88


Please let us know the verdict when you get it!

Rabbit B 

Will do. 

[oisinh1]

i think johnny is the oldest as i have a family photo from the early 1900's and the boy's are wearing dresses.

is the baby in the pram wearing bows and ribbons...even back then boys didn't wear boys and ribbons! 

they really are nice children and its so tragic that the little girl died especially because her parents seem like such nice children...the little girls death must have haunted her father til he died!