Ambrotype Ayr1

[GKE]

I have now discovered who this ancestor is Igor. It is not David, chemist but is John Ker b. 1835 d. 1865. He was an engineer with the Royal Navy and  at sea along the American coastline during the Civil War. He was discharged from service in 1863 and died at 30 years of age of phthisis at his mother's house in Hawick in 1865. His sister Helen was married to David, chemist. Amazing that you talk about how serious he is as I have 38 letters from him written to his mother, sister and brother from 1859 to 1863. They are beautifully written and filled with great detail of his life at sea. It is wonderful to now be able to put a face to these letters. One interesting note is that he thought the Confederates would win the war!

[maidmarianoops]

ok ok oops here
i just had to find out what the disease is

now i know


Noun: Pulmonary tuberculosis or a similar progressive systemic disease
1.A disease characterized by the wasting away or atrophy of the body

sylvia
t.i.c

[IgorStrav]

Thank you so much for updating us, Gail, on the subject of this photograph.  I suppose we were right first time, then, that the object in his hand is a telescope, and perhaps the box contains navigational instruments?  The dividers would fit with this, wouldn't they.

It is sad to hear of his death at such a very young age of tuberculosis, I suppose this picture was taken comparatively soon before his death.

You're very lucky to have the letters and how fascinating they must be to read, and to be able to see the face of the man who wrote them.  38 letters AND all these fabulous photos.  Gosh.   

I showed the picture to my daughter and her first comment was about the modernity of his face, and we then pondered on how we all seem to forget that people in earlier times were indeed just like us.  I'm sure his family were devastated to lose him.

[purplekat]

The first thing I noticed about this photo is how modern his face looks, I compared it with some of my old family photos to try and decide why.  Two things I noticed

1) even before the photo was restored it somehow seemed quite sharp

2) the people in my photos who are looking at the camera give me the sense that they are looking at the camera, the gentleman in this photo seems to be looking at me!   

[maidmarianoops]

i think he is thinking
Now what are you up to

then
mum made me get a photo

sylvia

[GKE]

Yes Igor, you were all right the first time regarding the instruments in the picture plus the other photo of the man in a navy jacket is also John Ker. By the time John Ker died he had lost his father at 6 years old, a sister died at 17 and a brother dying at 26. I think it is our ancestors fashion and hair styles that makes us think they do not look like us but in reality they really do.

I have typed out all of the original letters as they are over 150 years old and rather difficult to read. It took quite awhile to do but worth it.

Purplekat you are so right, he does seem to be looking at me!

[PrueM]

It's not a telescope - that instrument is flat, not curved    As an engineer he would have had a set of mathematical instruments.

How wonderful to have his letters, Gail, as well as these amazing photos.  You're very lucky!

[purplekat]

I agree how lovely to have his letters as well as amazing photos 

[IgorStrav]

Thanks, Prue, you're quite right, when I read Gail's details about him again, I saw that he was an engineer not a sailor.

I wish we could somehow see the letters, it's just so tantalising to know that they're there.  I think you will realise from people's reactions how lucky we think you are, Gail. 

Just off to see if I can find the other picture of him (man in the navy jacket, Gail says)