Hannah May Miller Can you date this photo?

[Loveancestry]

Thankyou so much Carol what a lovely job you have done! So just to clarify, do you think it may be 1890s or early 1900s? If it is my 3rd ggm Sarah she was born around 1842 I believe. If this is her daughter Hannah she was born in 1864 so not sure! And Thankyou for pointing out the child could have been a boy as I had convinced myself it was a girl! Do you think there is anything here to suggest they are a catholic family?

[IgorStrav]

Lovely picture.

Just regarding the mourning aspect of the clothing:

You're right, Carol, that the older lady could be in mourning - all dark colour, cloak, necktie etc, very formal - but the younger woman evidently isn't with a patterned blouse.

If they are mother and daughter, would the mother still be in mourning whilst her daughter (who would have apparently also lost a close relative, if not father) would not be?

And of course all dark colours come out black in black and white photographs, so there is slight room for manoeuvre with what shade the clothes actually are?

[Treetotal]

Hi Igor...Yes you make some good points but older people stuck more rigidly to mourning dress for a longer period than later generations.
I think on balance, it's more likely to be Sarah as the ages and dates are a better fit. People in Victorian times often looked older than what they were, especially if they have lost their teeth. The older lady's outfit could be purple which I believe is the colour worn in the second stage of mourning in Victorian times.
Carol

[IgorStrav]

I did wonder about purple, Carol....

in some ways easier to imagine her all in black than head to foot in purple.  How times change.

[Treetotal]

Yes they have, Queen Victoria had a lot to answer for 
Carol

[Treetotal]

For Comparison...This is a 1906 image of my Great Grandma Charlotte in mourning after the death of her Husband. She was a Catholic. She would have been 45 years old. This photo is very different in style to your your photo.
Carol

[Loveancestry]

Thankyou to both, your information is really helpful. The family were catholic and I have found all of the catholic baptism records for her children, so I am curious and fascinated on the massive difference in dress with your ancestor Carol if it is Sarah! Could this be due to the time difference and change of style of dress or perhaps lack of money do you think?

[Treetotal]

Mourning outfits were often borrowed and my Great Grandma was working class so not very wealthy, It also looks big on her too as my Uncle told me that she "Looked bigger than what she was" in this photo. The one worn by your ancestor looks to be a lot earlier style than the one in my photo, but again, it may have been borrowed.
Carol

[Loveancestry]

Yes Sarah and the family also did not have much money so that makes sense. Thankyou for your help. I have a couple more photos that are unknown and would appreciate any help with them too!