Trying to date a photo

Chris Paton · Post by **Chris Paton** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 11:45 am

Hi,

I have a mystery photo recently given to me by a cousin, which I am trying to date. It was taken at the studio of James Thompson at 9 Bank Street, Inverness, and definitely features members of the MacFarlane family, as the cap badge on the wee boy is MacFarlane. Another cousin thinks that it may be her grandfather, as she has a similar cap badge with her father's medals, which would date it to 1881 or 1882, but I think the picture is much later. Which would be a pity, because if my cousin is right, the lady in the pic is my great great grandmother, Annie MacFarlane (nee MacGillivray). I called Inverness Library, but they tell me their directories commence at 1930 - can anyone help narrow this down?

The pic is at http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w263 ... arlane.jpg

Thanks

Chris

Chris Paton · Post by **Chris Paton** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 11:47 am

PS: on the back there is an inverted horsehoe shape printed in the stamp area, with what appears to be a letter T, though the rest of the stamp area is ripped and cannot be read.

WilmaM · Post by **WilmaM** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 11:57 am

I would say 1920's or later .
The woman's skirt length would not be any earlier than that.

My tuppence worth but there are more knowlegable souls around!

Perhaps it is the same badge but worn by a younger generation?

Russell · Post by **Russell** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 12:01 pm

Hi Chris

I think your photo is mid to late 1920's.
The fur type collars on the coats and their mid-length style,
shorter hem lengths,
there are only three eyelets on her shoe laces. in the 1880's there would have been lacing boots rather than shoes.

Its a super photo. Posed but relaxed. They are all comfortable in front of the camera too.

Russell

Chris Paton · Post by **Chris Paton** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 12:41 pm

Chris Paton wrote:PS: on the back there is an inverted horsehoe shape printed in the stamp area, with what appears to be the letters TIC, though the rest of the stamp area is ripped and cannot be read.

Post by **marilyn morning** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 12:52 pm

Hi Chris,

Here's a link that may help

http://talkingscot.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8160

Regards
Marilyn

G.Love · Post by **G.Love** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 2:17 pm

It's definitely not the 19th century, not with a hemline that short. I would say it's between the two World Wars.

Chris Paton · Post by **Chris Paton** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 5:16 pm

Thanks everyone - back to the drawing board then! (i.e. Family Tree Maker to find new possible candidates..! lol)

Chris

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 9:36 pm

Hi Chris,
There is this entry in "Photographers in Northern Scotland to 1914" compiled by D. Richard Torrance.
--
James Thomson
1914
9 Back Street, Inverness.
--
This would seem to indicate that he had maybe not long opened up his business?
Or maybe that was the year when he first decided to have his name in a local directory?
Or perhaps the entry was from one of the all Scotland Directories of the time?
Jack

Chris Paton · Post by **Chris Paton** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 12:27 am

Thanks Jack, that is an extremely useful find.

Cheers

Chris