Dating of Photos - Catherine SHEA nee GREEN c1841-1905

[mckha489]

Hi,
Now I am perfectly happy to be howled down here,and I am given to imaginative thoughts

But I can see very  faded faint writing under and near the word send. and below it too.

It is kind of angled (this angling your writing across postcards was a bit trendy around 1910 1915 I think)

I am using a  PC so my screen is biggish.

When I scroll to enlarge I think I see the word "Dear"

Am I alone in the perception

Sue

No, I agree, it’s there.
Are you thinking it may have been written by the subject of the photo for when ‘Dad’ took it with him to France?

[sparrett]

Yes.
My thinking is that whether or not the subject was married to "Dad" at the time Dad went to France, this is the picture of his beloved which he took with him.

It was possibly dedicated in weak pen or pencil and the writing faded over time and the conditiions in France.

I think there are some initials written there too.

Sue

 

[maddys52]

I agree Sue, I can see faded writing on the back too, and think your assessment is pretty accurate. 

[gregory tree]

Thank you all for that input. My grandmother's paternal grandparents were married in 1859 and first son, my great grandfather was born 1863 - on Pension records Michael SHEA signed up to Army the next week after marriage and Catherine was alone on 1861 Census - a Lodger. Children were born 1863, 1866, 1868, 1870, 1873, 1876, 1880 roughly from memory and all in different Army camps except the last one born at Battersea after his retirement from army. I don't know when 'Dad' was in France though and as all have said the photo is much later than that and Catherine died 1905 & Michael in 1908.

It is a mystery for sure. Thanks again.

[gregory tree]

The only other female is the only sister born 1876 but it's signed "Your Loving Mother".