Restoring Maria and William

[Virgo243]

Hi Everyone,
Tried to post this already but didn't appear to have gone. Not sure if anyone can help me with this one. The lady is Maria, my great great great aunt born in Australia in 1800. This is a copy of a copy of a copy etc. Can anyone make this photo any clearer or am I asking for a miracle?
Cheers
Marilyn

[little meg]

one small effort from me.

margaret

[Indaloman]

Another one for you, severe fading is the problem

[Virgo243]

Thank you both for your efforts. I appreciate your help
Cheers
Marilyn

[PrueM]

Hi Marilyn 

Just a thought...the photo looks like it dates from around the 1860s-1870s mark.  I don't think it's the lady you think it is, if she was born in 1800, as in this photo she looks very young 

Prue

[miagre1]

Hi Marilyn,

Best regards George

[Virgo243]

Thanks George for your help as well.
Hi Prue, Interesting point. Can you tell me how you determined the photo was taken in the late 1800's? The photo was sent to our Family Association so I will have to track it back to the person who sent it in .
Thank you to everyone for their help and advice.
Cheers
Marilyn

[PrueM]

Hi Marilyn 

The reasons I think it's from the late 1860s-1870s:

1.  It's a standard photographer's pose/setup from that era
2.  It's a photograph on paper (i.e. not on glass or metal) and these only came into being in the 1860s
3.  The lady's clothing is indicative of late 60s-early 70s

The lady in the photo looks about 25-30 years old (although it's hard to tell, but I wouldn't think  much older than that), so she would have been born around 1835-1840.  If you would like more detail about this, just ask 

Cheers
Prue

[PrueM]

P.S.  That date could be revised back a bit, if the original photo turns out to have been on glass or metal, but from what I'm seeing, even as a copy of a copy of a copy...the pose and clothes do indicate the date already mentioned.