When and why please?

[jimrobertson24]

Evening,

Regarding the attached photos, I was wondering if anyone had an idea of dates and also perhaps why photos like this would be taken - just because, or perhaps an occasion?

First photo of family - 2 parents and 5 children. Father seated left born 1840, youngest daughter front left born 1878, oldest son seated right born 1868. I was thinking the photo might be about 1888 ish??

Second photo is the aged mother from the first photo. She was born in 1844. She died in 1927.

Any ideas?

Thanks
James

[Treetotal]

Hi James, The first one would have been taken early 1890s, the lady in the second one looks to be in mourning dress so that should help to date it. It helps if you post the whole photo including the backs if you have them as they are a dating aid.
Carol

[Viktoria]

Often photographers travelled round ,people who,would not ordinarily visit a
photographic studio would have a photograph taken like this ,outside their home.
We have much to thank those photographers for as otherwise we would have no idea what many if our relatives looked like.
The photographers visited quite remote places ,possibly sent a card announcing their visit.
I have seen photographs of people in the little hamlet where I  lived, including my relatives about 1890, and the backgrounds were all the same.
Viktoria.

[Viktoria]

Often photographers travelled round ,people who,would not ordinarily visit a
photographic studio would have a photograph taken like this ,outside their home.
We have much to thank those photographers for as otherwise we would have no idea what many iof our relatives looked like.
The photographers visited quite remote places ,possibly sent a card announcing their visit.
I have seen photographs of people in the little hamlet where I  lived, including my relatives about 1890, and the backgrounds were all the same.
Viktoria.

[Jool]

Hi James, I'm no expert on photo dating but I thought the first photo looked to be early 1890s based on the birth date you gave for the youngest daughter. She looks a little older than 10 and her figure has started to develop so I would say she was early teens.

The other photo looks to be in mourning dress, she appears to be wearing black although in a black and white photo it is hard to tell. She looks quite sad and is showing her wedding ring hand.  When did her husband die?  That could be a clue to the date of the photo.

I came to these conclusions before I saw Carol's post (I must be learning from the Rootschat experts  )

[Maiden Stone]

Younger daughter has her hair up. I estimate her mid-late teens. Who are the other young people?
The old lady's hands look worn.
What occupations did they have?

[jimrobertson24]

Thanks...

Both photos have been posted in full. The one on her own is a close up with no background. I thought it looked a little random, as if no thought had gone into background.

 Her husband died in 1908 which means the time between the two would be around  18 years if we think the first is 1890 ish. Does she look like she's aged by 20 years?

On the 1891 census only the youngest child was at home. The other four had started their "careers" and were living elsewhere. They must have planned the photo to all get together??

If you look at both photos closely her mouth droops to the side slightly. They were farmers so yes, she'll have had working hands.

James

[sparrett]

I would say here that in both the family photo and the single woman, the grooming and attention to detail in the appearance of the subjects is notable.

The mourning outfit, if that is what she wears, is of quality fabric and well-cut.  It looks to fit well.
   
The men likewise wear quality apparel, though their shoes/boots are concealed.
The casual leaning inward of the female figures gives a lovely sense of movement to the photo.

I think this was  not a cheap project

Sue

[Treetotal]

Thanks...

Both photos have been posted in full. The one on her own is a close up with no background. I thought it looked a little random, as if no thought had gone into background.

 Her husband died in 1908 which means the time between the two would be around  18 years if we think the first is 1890 ish. Does she look like she's aged by 20 years?

On the 1891 census only the youngest child was at home. The other four had started their "careers" and were living elsewhere. They must have planned the photo to all get together??

If you look at both photos closely her mouth droops to the side slightly. They were farmers so yes, she'll have had working hands.

James

I would say that sounds about right. The first photo is a studio photo and the second was most likely taken in her garden. Most widows had a mourning photo taken and in my experience, her out fits the bill, it is heavily beaded and apart from the brooch, which could be a mourning brooch, she is not wearing jewellery.
Most people had at least one good outfit.
Carol