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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Topic started by: anabanana on Wednesday 28 September 22 21:08 BST (UK)
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Good evening,
I am wondering if any good photo detectives can help me to extract some clues from these mystery photos.
I don't know who these people are, how they might be related or otherwise. I don't know if they are dressed up or in normal day to day gear.
I don't know what timeframe it's from.
BUT I do believe it was taken at a wee Croft in Sutherland, where the occupants were of Aberdeenshire/Banffshire origin.
Neither photo has anything on the back, and both are about maybe 3 inches in height.
I would love to know what you clever folks can deduce from this photo, no matter how small it could help in identifying or narrowing down who these folks might be.
Thank you for reading.
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I think it's likely to be the late 1920s. The pictures are not taken by a professional photographer. Of the four people, the one missing from a photograph is taking it.
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I agree, 1920s.
Carol
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To me, the two men in smart suits with waistcoats seem likely to be visitors, and the other man and woman a married couple, inhabitants of the croft. They are less smartly dressed but still look as if they've made an effort.
In photo 1, does anyone else think there is a facial resemblance between the elderly man and the woman whose shoulder his hand rests on? The gesture suggests to me that there's more of a connection between him and her than between him and her husband. In the 2nd photo no-one is touching. Perhaps he is her father, or an uncle?
Could this be a visit from relatives who have emigrated and made good?
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Looks to me as though you may have three generations in the photo of the three men. The young man in the middle standing with his father and grandfather.
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The woman has quite swollen legs and is using a walking stick - maybe has a heart condition?
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Thank you so much everyone for all your thoughts on these photos!
The occupants of the croft in the 1920s were a married couple and their children. She died in 1925 (age 33) and he died in 1930 (age 52). I don't know what she looked like, but do have a photo of him and its not a match to the people in the mystery pics.
The previous "man of the house" was a man who died in 1918 aged 83 years. I don't know what he looked like but was supposed to have been a big chap.
He had two daughters, one who I don't know what she looked like but would have been 48 when her father died in 1918. The other daughter I have seen a photo of and its definitely not her in the mystery pic.
Is it feasible that the photo could be as old as 1918 or even a couple of years before that ???
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I wouldn't put it any earlier than 1920s
Carol
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Hi,
I would also say this photo was taken in the 1920s. The lady's clothes are from that period.
What did the lady of the croft die of in 1925? The woman in the photo doesn't look that old and appears to have a disability/illness (swollen legs and a stick)
Looby :)
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In photo 1, does anyone else think there is a facial resemblance between the elderly man and the woman whose shoulder his hand rests on? The gesture suggests to me that there's more of a connection between him and her than between him and her husband.
I agree the facial features are very alike especially their noses but the eyes & cheekbones too. They both have thin chins with dimples & broad foreheads.
The 'touching' gesture (hand on shoulder) would suggest a close family relationship.
I'm not convinced the stick the lady is holding is a walking stick as it looks a bit long & thin?
I thought it looked more like a shepherds' crook/staff although I may be wrong but thought I'd mention anyway.
I think the lady is wearing some kind of leg covering which could make it look as though her legs are swollen but the colouring (white) is unlike the other bare parts.
Annie
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She died of childbed fever. And her baby died not long after.
Maybe all 3/4 were visitors to the Croft and not resident. I can see a few shadows in the photo ... one probably the photographer but seem to be others there too.
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She died of childbed fever. And her baby died not long after.
Maybe all 3/4 were visitors to the Croft and not resident. I can see a few shadows in the photo ... one probably the photographer but seem to be others there too.
That's very sad, anabanana.
You could post the picture of the male crofter and ask Rootchatters if they think he is the same man as the one in the photo - just a suggestion.
Best,
Looby :)
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Thanks Looby, it I'd awfully sad. The lady who died was my granny's mum, and she died on my granny's 7th birthday. I will try to dig out the photo of granny's father x