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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: LittleNell44 on Wednesday 16 January 19 19:33 GMT (UK)
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This photo was taken in Newport, Isle of Wight and is mounted with no border on thick white card (there is nothing printed on the back).
I believe the 2 ladies are my gt grandfather's older sisters, Hannah and Fanny Lovesey from Cropthorne / Charlton in Worcestershire.
I know that Hannah who was born in 1863 was in Service in Sandown, IoW at the 1891 census; Fanny was born in 1872. I believe the ages look about right for them if the photo was taken around 1891; I just wasn't sure whether their attire fitted that period.
The other alternative is that it is my gt grandfather's aunt Frances (Fanny) Stephens who in 1866 married Frank Woodford in the IoW and after his demise married Obed Jackman in 1878, also in the IoW. Frances was born in 1837 in Ashton under Hill, Gloucs and died in the IoW in 1911... she had several older sisters and one younger sister. I am unable to find Frances at the 1861 census (but I'm trying various permutations); might this be her?
Many thanks in anticipation of any help received.
Nell
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I would say 1870s for this one.
Carol
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I think a bit later, 1880's.
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I think a bit later, 1880's.
Is that a late bustle style then Jim?
Carol
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Yes, small detachable style typical of the 80's.
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Yes, small detachable style typical of the 80's.
Ok thanks Jim...I've learned something today :D
Carol
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Many thanks all for your input...
Is it possible that the ladies could have worn clothing that was a few years out of fashion?
Nell
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I think these ladies would have a fit of the vapours at that suggestion.
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The lady on the right as you look at the photo appears to be hiding her left hand and from what I have read suggests an unmarried lady if that is any help.
Carol
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Lol... if they are who I think they are then they would have been hard-working women in service during their younger years, so i was wondering whether they would've made do with clothing from a few years earlier?...
... neither got married until they were in their 30s - after 1896
Nell
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Rather than appear in a photograph with very dated clothing (10 years out of date.....gasp of horror) they would probably have altered them, especially the bustle.
if it's say 1881, could it be Hannah and a friend?
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Many thanks... I'm almost certain that the younger one is Fanny as I have various photo's of her throughout the 1910s, 20s and 30s with my gt grandfather (she is named in some of them) and the likeness is remarkable... but i did wonder about the clothing.
Nell
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Would it make sense to check IOW directories to see if Long's Photographic Studio remained in business across the dates you suggest? Just a thought.
BB
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Thanks, I'll do that
Nell
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Many thanks... I'm almost certain that the younger one is Fanny as I have various photo's of her throughout the 1910s, 20s and 30s with my gt grandfather (she is named in some of them) and the likeness is remarkable... but i did wonder about the clothing.
Nell
Having looked at this more closely in Photoshop, the girl you believe to be Fanny looks very young and under developed, so if this was taken in the late 1880s it could well be her at 16/17 years old.
Carol
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Thank you Carol
Nell x
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Hello Nell
I'd say mid- to late 1880s: certainly between 1883, when bustles came back into fashion, and 1889, when they abruptly went out again. High narrow bonnets were popular towards the end of the decade.
Sadly, the studio doesn't help to clarify the date. John Long (1855-1927) was a photographer as early as 1871 - at the age of 16 - living with his siblings and their widowed mother Charlotte (1818-1876) in Carisbrooke, Isle of Wight. He was in Newport by 1881 and still at the same address (116 St James Street) in 1891, before moving to Portsmouth.
A collection of his prints now accessible at eBay (https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1870S-TO-1890S-9X-ANTIQUE-CDV-PHOTOGRAPHS-J-LONG-NEWPORT-ISLE-OF-WIGHT-IOW/202547776181) includes a couple of the same style as yours (here (https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/PKsAAOSwAmJcIqIP/s-l1600.jpg)) but all are undated.
David
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Wow... thank you David... I'll take a look
Nell