Please could I have an idea of date for this Devonshire family photo?

[peternoyce]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and would love to know a rough idea of the date of my family photo in order to help me identify who they are? It was a photo found with my Grandfather's possessions when he died but unfortunately I don't know who the sitters are. No one in my family had seen it before. My Grandfather's family (Sowden) come from around the South Molton - Witheridge area in Devon. My Grandfather was born in 1912 so don't know whether he would be in the photo or whether it could be earlier.

There is no writing on the photo and nothing on the back. It looks to be a farm lane but not enough to identify location.

Would the baby be a boy or a girl based on its clothes? That may help me go back through the census records looking for man, wife, three sons and possibly daughter?

Thankyou for any assistance!

[Treetotal]

Hi and welcome to Rootschat...what a lovely photo...I think the little one is a boy.
Carol

[jim1]

Late 1890's - early 1900's.
Difficult to say about the baby as they were all dressed like this

[AJ100]

Edwardian, pre 1910. Doesn't look as if your grandfather is among them if he was born in 1912.
I get the feeling this is a very staged picture, with the youngsters dressed in clothes specially for the photo that are somewhat older than the period. Could be quite wrong, of course.

AJ

[jim1]

A bit strange isn't it.
Why would you take the wife & kids/grandkids down a muddy lane in their Sunday best & go back for a couple of chairs just for a photo.

[Treetotal]

Maybe they are caravanners 
Carol

[Old Bristolian]

I think it's some special occasion - not only are the children dressed up, but the three eldest have some kind of buttonhole. Too big for violets, maybe something with religious connections. The adults could be parents, but I'd go with grandparents. Perhaps a visit by the children to their farm/cottage. I think it's certainly Devon, the building behind looks like cob. Worth checking the 1911 census for the family name

Steve

[peternoyce]

Thanks for everyone's thoughts on this.

I'd guess it was a travelling photographer as the area is mainly farms.

I'd have expected it to be my Great Grandparents (Samuel Sowden and Lucy Sowden) in the photo with my Grandfather as a child, but I've attached a photo of my Grandfather as a boy with his mother below. I'm not sure that the lady in the group photo is the same as the lady in the lane. I don't have any photos of my Great Grandfather.

[jim1]

2nd. photo was taken around WW1.

Maybe they are caravanners

Can't be, dad's not wearing shorts & sandals.