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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: caroline_forster on Friday 02 March 18 17:09 GMT (UK)

Title: Help Dating Please - McKenzie, Northumberland, England
Post by: caroline_forster on Friday 02 March 18 17:09 GMT (UK)
Hello,

I am trying to identify the gentleman in photo 1 attached. I *think* I know who it is but am looking for corroborating evidence.  I believe the photo to be of C McKenzie b 1824, d 1904.

The photography studio used opened between 1891-1901 and ceased trading around 1925.  I have dated the card using an online tool and it gives a result of 1896-1902. The card is approx 4 1/4" x 6 1/4", has silver rounded edges and a plain back.

The other 2 photos for familiar comparison are of D McKenzie (son of C), 1853-1933 and R McKenzie (son of D, grandson of C) 1889-1964. I have discounted the possibility of photo 1 being D McKenzie as he has a cleft chin in photo 2.

Can anybody please help me confirm a date range for this photograph?

Would anybody like to comment on if they think the gentleman in photo 1 is the father / grandfather of D and R?

Does the gentleman in photo 1 look like the correct age to be C McKenzie (he would have been 72-78yrs old if the photo was taken between 1896-1902)?

Many thanks for any help or even speculation!

Caroline





Title: Re: Help Dating Please - McKenzie, Northumberland, England
Post by: Milliepede on Friday 02 March 18 22:36 GMT (UK)
I always look at the eyes and they are very light in photo 1. 

To me he doesn't look in his 70's but as a handsome chap he may have looked younger than his years!
Title: Re: Help Dating Please - McKenzie, Northumberland, England
Post by: caroline_forster on Saturday 03 March 18 14:11 GMT (UK)
Yes, he does have lighter eyes than his (presumed) son and grandson.

I though the same about the age, he looks younger than 70s but I don't know how accurate the dating of the photo is.

Thanks for your input,

Caroline
Title: Re: Help Dating Please - McKenzie, Northumberland, England
Post by: jim1 on Saturday 03 March 18 16:37 GMT (UK)
The date of late 1890's-early 1900's is about right & to me he does look in his 70's.
Title: Re: Help Dating Please - McKenzie, Northumberland, England
Post by: Gadget on Saturday 03 March 18 18:25 GMT (UK)
I definitely agree with 'in his 70s'  - those of my generation look a lot younger than this. Must be the free orange juice and virol  ;D
Title: Re: Help Dating Please - McKenzie, Northumberland, England
Post by: caroline_forster on Saturday 03 March 18 18:34 GMT (UK)
Thanks for the comments on date and age. 

Can anybody see a resemblance with the guy in photo 2? Could they be father and son?
Title: Re: Help Dating Please - McKenzie, Northumberland, England
Post by: Gadget on Saturday 03 March 18 18:38 GMT (UK)
They look very similar.

The second photo is not a good scan though so difficult to see properly. Until you asked, I thought that they were the same person. I've just reread your dates for them.

Gadget
Title: Re: Help Dating Please - McKenzie, Northumberland, England
Post by: Gadget on Saturday 03 March 18 18:43 GMT (UK)
Just done snips of them side by side
Title: Re: Help Dating Please - McKenzie, Northumberland, England
Post by: caroline_forster on Saturday 03 March 18 20:19 GMT (UK)
Thanks Gadget,

Despite the different eye colour and D appearing to have a cleft chin I think there are similarities between the two, but maybe I am seeing what I want to see? Sadly it's a case that those who would have know his identity are no longer with us.

Incidentally the photos were grouped together in a family album. The photos of D and R had notes on the back (they were uncle & cousin to my great-grandmother) and it seems these photos were "sent" to my her. I've wondered if the lack of notation on the first photo is possibly because he is more closely related (I guess you'd imagine you'd always remember that a photo was of your grandfather and so didn't think to make a note on it?).

C