Please help ID photo, 1860's ???

[KathBMC]

Hello all!
I was wondering if anyone might be able to help me with these photos please?
I believe that this is my gggg-grandmother Mary McDonald and my gggg-grandfather Bernard Bradley in about 1864. Perhaps in Charleston SC, Greenville, SC or Jefferson County, GA.
The photos are large abt 15" x 30" and Oval. Paper. We were told these were wedding photos???
I am surprised that they are large - seems that it would be very expensive for poor irish farmers!!!
 I wonder if the clothing gives anything away to you experts out there! I would be grateful for any thoughts!
Thank you so much!
Kahtleen




(The following is a little timeline from my family history...
1863—Letter from William Bradley to Bernard Bradley (From Erganagh Ireland August 24th, 1863 saying “bring the Mrs. along if you have one)
1864—Bernard and Mary were married in 1864.
1865—Most consider Lee's surrender on April 9, 1865 the end of the war.
1866—Bernard and Mary Bradley have Willie Bradley
1866—letter from Woodtown (Townland in Kilrea?) to Margaret  (Mary’s sister) in Greenville
1866—Letter from Margaret in Greenville, SC  to  Mary McDonald? Brother and sister (Barney and Mary Bradley)?
1868—Bernard and Mary Bradley have Maggie Bradley
1869—letter from John McDonald in Greenville, SC to  brother and sister (w/ love to Willie and Maggie)
1871—Bernard and Mary Bradley have Rosia Bradley
1874—Bernard and Mary Bradley have Katie Bradley
1874—James Doolan Moulder, r ss Indian 3 w of West Broad
1877— James Doolan, moulder, r Indian nr Ann
1879—Bernard and Mary Bradley have Bernard Bradley
1879-1880—Bernard Bradley dies between Dec. 1878 and June 1880
1880— Mary McDonald Bradley on 1880 Census of Bartow, County of Jefferson, in Georgia ( Willie, Maggie, Rosia, Katie, Bernie)
1880– James Doolan, W. Kehoe & Co., res Indian, 9th e of Farm
1881 James Doolan—molder Phoenix Iron Works, bds Indian, 6th e of Farm
1881 James P. A. Doolan—clk B.F. McKenna res. Indian, 6th e of Farm
1882 - William E. Bradley, Helper Phoenix Iron Works, Savannah City Directory
1882—James Doolan, molder Phoenix Iron Works, bds Indian,  e of Farm
1883 - Mary Bradley, wid Barney., bds NS Wheaton, NE Corner Reynolds)

[jim1]

The 1st. is an oversketched enlargement of the original.I would say the original was an ambrotype which were in use from around 1851-early 1860's.
I don't think this is as late as 1864,the bodice has the large bell sleeve & lace Bertha underneath which is an 1850's fashion,by 1864 she would have dressed differently to this.
I would suggest 1855-60.
The 2nd. looks much later but is hard to pin down to anything specific but I would suggest 1890's onwards.

jim

[KathBMC]

Dear Jim,
Many thanks for your reply!!!! Does the style fit a lady inthe southern US at the time, Ireland, or maybe both?

I appreciate the help greatly!
Kathleen

[jim1]

Womens fashions were pretty much the same the world over.Southern Belles wouldn't have been that far behind anyone else.Fashion periodicals were very popular & every woman would want the latest particularly if having a photo taken which was still considered new technology at the time.
Ambrotypes were positives (as opposed to negatives) & printed on glass therefore they came out as a mirror image.You can tell this as her bodice appears to be fastened on the mans side.
This is how she would have looked at the sitting.

jim

[KathBMC]

Thank you again! I do appreciate your expertise!
)
Kathleen