Author Topic: Mystery photo from UK  (Read 914 times)

Offline DavidTaylor

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Mystery photo from UK
« on: Wednesday 23 April 25 21:57 BST (UK) »
Hello all: ???

I have a guess who this may be in my family but was curious as to others thoughts on the time frame, economic status, relationship of the 2 in the photo (married, mother/son etc) or anything else you can opine on. Thank you in advance!

Offline loord74

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Re: Mystery photo from UK
« Reply #1 on: Saturday 26 April 25 21:48 BST (UK) »
Judging by the style of clothing and the sepia tone of the photograph, this image likely dates to the late 19th or early 20th century—roughly between 1880 and 1910. The man’s three-piece suit and bow tie, paired with the pocket watch chain visible, align with formal men’s fashion of that era. The woman’s dress features puffed sleeves and intricate lace detailing, both characteristic of this period.
Both individuals appear well-dressed in tailored clothing, which was often an indicator of middle to upper-class status during this time. The man’s pocket watch, a sign of personal wealth and refinement, strengthens this impression. The quality and detailing of the woman’s attire, especially the lace work, suggest access to resources and perhaps skilled craftsmanship.probably they are  Married couple: The man standing while the woman is seated was a popular pose for formal marital portraits during this era.

Offline Gadget

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Re: Mystery photo from UK
« Reply #2 on: Sunday 27 April 25 00:06 BST (UK) »
Both the man's outfit and the woman's sleeves, suggest a date of circa 1895-97.

Gadget

See ,for example, various books by Jayne Shrimpton.
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Offline martin hooper

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Re: Mystery photo from UK
« Reply #3 on: Sunday 27 April 25 11:58 BST (UK) »
Their facial characteristics are strikingly similar. They could indeed be mother and son.

Martin


Offline JenB

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Re: Mystery photo from UK
« Reply #4 on: Sunday 27 April 25 13:56 BST (UK) »
The man’s pocket watch, a sign of personal wealth and refinement, strengthens this impression

Sorry, but I have to disagree that a pocket watch was a sign of ‘personal wealth’.

Here is one of my family photos https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=827914.msg6920327#msg6920327

At the back are my grandfather and great- grandfather. They are both wearing pocket watches. Neither of them were well-off at all. My grandfather worked on the roads and my great grandfather was a colliery horse keeper. They both struggled financially.

As to ‘refinement’, I have heard that this was in fairly short supply as far as great- grandfather was concerned  ;D
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Offline AlanBoyd

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Re: Mystery photo from UK
« Reply #5 on: Sunday 27 April 25 14:11 BST (UK) »
The man’s pocket watch, a sign of personal wealth and refinement, strengthens this impression

Sorry, but I have to disagree that a pocket watch was a sign of ‘personal wealth’.


Seconded: my maternal great grandfather, a miner, had two pocket watches: one for everyday and one for ‘best’. I inherited the everyday one, together with the chain and ‘Albert’.
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Offline jaywit

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Re: Mystery photo from UK
« Reply #6 on: Sunday 27 April 25 14:16 BST (UK) »
The thing about pocket watches is just the same as wrist watches today. there were pocket watches from base metal to 18ct gold and as we can't see the watch we have no idea about this one. You could say a wrist watch is a sign of wealth but is it a Timex or a Gold Rolex?
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Offline PatLac

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Offline David Nicoll

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Re: Mystery photo from UK
« Reply #8 on: Monday 28 April 25 06:14 BST (UK) »
Just noticed the back of his hands, they look like an older man’s hands, so would go with husband and wife or brother and sister, not mother and son.
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