Can someone please date this lady and baby for me? COMPLETED - THANKS EVERYBODY

[Maggie.]

I am trying to identify the baby in this photograph of a rather care-worn lady and it would help to have an approximate date confirmed.  I would appreciate any help from the experts.

Thank you in anticipation.

Magge

[Tricia_2]

Not sure on dates, but I had a go at brightening her up a bit!

[Niksmum]

one from me

Irene

[Maggie.]

Thanks Tricia and Irene - she looks like she needs a bit of brightening up doesn't she?

Maggie

[chinakay]

Hi Maggie...can't see much of the lady's dress, which is a major dating tool, but the hairstyle is strongly indicative of early 1870s.

Cheers,
China

[Maggie.]

Thanks China - thats interesting.
If it could help I can post better detail of the dress but I am rushing today.

Thanks for your help.

Maggie

[jim1]

Hello Maggie & China
Agree about the hairstyle,how did they get these intricate styles like this one,must have spent ages in front of the mirror.Do I spot rounded corners to this.If so a bit later.The baby looks to be about 2 so a birth date c.1875 I think.
Regards
Jim

[Maggie.]

Hi Jim & China.

Here are 2 more efforts - one with dress detail and a bigger one of the original.

If the baby is who I am thinking it might be, he was born in 1882, so this photo would have been taken around 1884, which means the lady is sporting a very old hairstyle.  I am pretty sure there was not a lot of money around in that family so perhaps this could account for the hairstyle being of a much earlier fashion.  That top lump certainly doesn't look to be her own hair.  Also her hands look very battered - I don't think she was a lady who had an easy life. 

Do you think the baby is a boy or girl?  Also the baby looks a bit 'slumped' - perhaps younger than 2 years? 

Thanks for helping.

Maggie

[charles w]

Another.