Fortunately for us, someone wrote in many names in pencil under the photographs, and this gentleman is identified as Wm. L. Mearns. The photo was made by Dana in Brooklyn, NY in 1892. The card is labeled “Ivoryettes” which I was curious about, and in my research discovered many people have these prints and wonder what that means as well! I found a copy of Anthony’s Photographic Bulletin, volume XXIII dated 1892 which explained the Ivoryette process on page 31 as “not made on a certain kind of albumen paper, as you suppose, but is a name given to a type of effect produced by a particular kind of lighting and background.” The background behind the subject was nearly transparent and white, and lighting came from above the subject, giving the sitter a glowing effect.
Here is the back of the cabinet card:
Note, I hope you will forgive me, dear readers, but I am currently mending from a minor surgery and find it difficult to get to the actual computer to make my postings. I will post as often as I can!!
Who Were They? 
This should be an interesting album. I hope that you heal fast and feel better soon, sending you a hug! :)
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I hope you heal fast and feel as good as new soonest!!!
*waits for Farside to finish hugging you before giving you a big hugs*
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Hmmm…. Judging by the photo, I’d say this guy is at least 60 (in 1892) so looking at all the possiblities – my best guess (and it’s just a guess) is this is:
William Mearns, living in Cornwall, Orange, New York (located on the Hudson River near West Point Military Academy). The 1850 US Census shows him to be 23 years of age, born 1827 in New York.
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Catherine Rittenhouse Clugston was William L. Mearns’ wife Amy Rittenhouse’s aunt.
Ta Da!!!!
Amy is Catherine’s brother, Jeremiah’s daughter per:
http://thegodowns.com/d14/i0013211.htm#i13211
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Mrs Marvel,
I did not know you had had surgery – so sorry! Until lately I haven’t been on here in a very long time. Hope you are doing well? GUESS I AM ON “A ROLL” THIS WEEK, HA! I would give anything to find the pictures & other Misc. , (including some Genealogy a relative sent to me back in the 1970’s& 80’s) of my husband’s family of N.J. that was put in storage in or about 2010 (we thought at the time was temporary) but due to me becoming disable later, & one thing or other kept & keeps happening they are still there – haven’t been able to find them as yet!!!!! Sooooo maaaany of these people look familiar as well as many of the SURNAMES sound familiar too in these families. Undoubtedly, many in the MEARNS ALBUM ARE RELATED?
MANY NAMES OF THE STUDIOS ARE VERY FAMILIAR TO ME, ESPECIALLY, FRITZ !
Ref. to my husband’s LAIR family >>> I do know they are in the GODOWN BOOK, BUT DO NOT KNOW HOW THEY ARE DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE Godowns – IF THEY ARE? OR TO ANYONE ELSE IN THE BOOK, with exception of the ones on the 1850 N.J. CENSUS.
I really appreciate all the information you & the “Intense Guy” (is his name Iggy? Or Intense Guy?) have done for me? Thanks for everything! Jan Carr
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I forgot NAME: 1850 N.J.Census – PHILIP & MARY LAIR
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