Who Were They?

Lost and forgotten photos from the past

Unidentified youth

Mrs Marvel

4 comments

July 29, 2011

This photograph was on the same page opening as the Giffords, so I do wonder if this is their son. They certainly had the wealth to dress a boy in a light colored and prissy suit. He is standing on some sort of straw mat meant to look like grass in a field and the faux wall prop looks more like a funeral monument than a country lane to me!

Here’s the back of the card. Photographer was A. McCormick of Oxford PA. The elaborate decoration on the back mark indicates later in the era, so I’ll date this to the 1890s possibly as late as 1895.

Mrs. Everest of New York State

Mrs Marvel

4 comments

July 28, 2011

This 20th century photograph is identified as Mrs. Everest of New York State. Her dress is very ruffled, which is one of the fashions of the early 1900s. Her hair style is severe though, scraped back from her face and very small bangs. There’s no photographer information. Interestingly, in the photo album written below the photo opening is written Bella Scarborough wife of William Scarborough Mother was sister of Wm. L. Mearns. While Mrs. Everest’s photo was possibly tucked into a random opening, the note does help us in finding a connection within the Mearns family.

There are numerous empty spaces that once held the following photographs: Bella Scarborough, her mother, grandmother & son Austin; Bella Scarborough’s Mother; Howard & Margurite Scarborough, children of Bella; Austin Scarborough; Emma & ?; James Mearns Brother of William L. Mearns; William Cameron, Husband of Jennie Scarborough; Ruth C. Gifford; Howard & Margurite Scarborough (#2); William Cameron; Jane Cameron; and Howard Scarborough.

A Rutledge Connection

Mrs Marvel

5 comments

July 27, 2011

This photo from the Mearns Family Album is identified as Mrs. Rutledge T. Gifford. Her dress is an exquisite example of Gay Nineties fashion. It features the high neck with a bit of tiny lace edging, modest puffed sleeves and fancy applique emblems across the front of the bodice. We can only see six buttons, but there are probably 12-15 all together. I wish we could see more! The skirt likely had similar appliques in a pattern. I see this dress in navy on navy. She has tiny earrings and her hair while pulled back into a bun has bangs that are allowed to frizz and pouf, as was the style.

Right under this photograph is the following one:

This gentleman is identified as Mr. Rutledge T. Gifford. Considering his first name is interchangeable for a surname, my guess is his mother was a Rutledge. It was a common practice to use the mother’s surname as the first name of one of her sons, typically her second son. Iggy’s research skills will likely root out exactly what ordinal position he occupied and if I’m correct. :-) Mr. Gifford has a strong jawline and full mustache to compensate for his receding hairline. His suit is a double breasted affair with a white bow tie.

Both photos were taken by Tanquerey (anyone want a martini suddenly?) of 21 E. Baltimore Street in Baltimore. Here is the back of the photograph:

They had locations in New York, Brooklyn, Boston, Philadelphia and Baltimore. Quite a photograph franchise!

Hey it’s Santa!

Mrs Marvel

5 comments

July 23, 2011

This unidentified gentleman from the Mearns Family Album bears a bit of resemblance to the Chandler / Chandlee gentleman from the previous post. Is it in his nose? He has a full beard that is snowy white, and his spectacles are the type that sit on the bridge of the nose. Spectacles tended to be small and the lenses directly in front of the eyes, unlike today’s glasses that extend our peripheral vision as well as our distance or close vision. He also has a chain that appears to come from around his neck and then disappears into his vest. Is this a type of watch chain that will prevent him from losing the watch altogether? The photographer was J. H. Kent at 20 State Street, Rochester, NY.

Emma Chandler and Mr?

Mrs Marvel

7 comments

July 21, 2011

This photo has been identified in the Mearns Family Album as Emma Chandler (Updated to Chandlee). She is dressed in simple late 1880s style and has her hair drawn back in a bun that is just barely peeking out. She has a lovely ruff of lace on her collar and what looks like a brooch. Directly above her in the album is the following photo:

I certainly hope this photo does not do him justice, because this man looks stern and unhappy! Hopefully when he smiles his expression is softer. I assume this is Mr. Chandler (Updated to Chandlee) although it wasn’t identified. I make this deduction because both photos were made by the same photographer:

Emma’s photo was number 20514 and Mr Chandler was 20515. Most certainly during the same session! Several family members have been photographed by Fritz of New Jersey.

UPDATE: Iggy found that their surname is Chandlee. Check the comments for interesting information concerning how Emma Chandlee is related to the Mearns family.

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