Double Mystery Revisited
Well, this photo problem is a tough case tough to crack. In Double Mystery and Back to the Double Mystery, I analyzed the clues in Sandy Forest's photo of her ancestor Felix Forest and an unidentified man. Have you added your thoughts to the comment section...
Read MoreA Double Mystery
This week I'm researching a very interesting family photo of two men clowning for the camera. Sandy Forest showed me this image at an event over the weekend and I couldn't stop thinking about it. She's pretty sure about the identity of the man on the left, but the man...
Read MoreTime Flies
I couldn't help but use this as the title. It sums up the clues in this week's picture. Look carefully. The man in the photo holds an open pocket watch in his right hand and has a rooster on his lap. It appears he's trying to convey something...
Read MoreShipboard Clues, Part 3
This week is another installment of Jake Jacoby's photo of a group in his collection. Two weeks ago in Photo Mysteries, A Clue at a Time, I discussed clothing clues. Last week in Shipboard Clues, I told you what I knew about the caption and the ship. Photo...
Read MoreShipboard Clues
Last week in A Photo Mystery, A Clue at a Time, I introduced you to a wonderful group picture of folks on a ship. The ShipWhat I didn't show you is the caption that runs along the bottom edge of the picture. Unfortunately, part of the cardboard is broken off...
Read MoreA Photo Mystery, A Clue at a Time
Complex image identification often requires examining each piece of a photo story—historical context, family history, and costume history along with a bit of common sense. Jake Jacoby owns this wonderful image of a group of people onboard a ship. There is a caption, but I'll share that next week. I'm...
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Studio Backdrops
At last weekend's FGS conference in Knoxville, I did a little shopping. Picked up a couple of interesting books and this lovely trio of photos. I just love the backdrops. This photographer spared no expense. While in the 19th century most backdrops looked like the outdoors or living rooms, in...
Read MorePrize Catch
No doubt about it, I've looked at a lot of family photos. Every so often there's an image that not only depicts an ancestor, but also documents a bit of local history. Take this photo, for instance:Pamela Fisher sent me this photo owned by her cousin Lorrie Glover. The women...
Read MoreIdentifying Mourning Clothes in Victorian Photos
Queen Victoria set the standard for both wedding attire and for mourning. Here are three examples of mourning dress in Victorian-era photography.
Read MoreBirth and Death in the Family Album: Readers Respond
Joy and sadness often go hand in hand in family photo collections. This week I'll show off some photos that readers sent me. Be warned....the last two pictures depict disturbing images. Susan Roose thinks the photo above depicts William (died November 22, 1877) and Daniel...
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