Mysterious Woman with Wavy Hair
Jay Kruizenga of DutchBlood.com sent in this photo of his family's mystery woman. Her long, flowing hair definitely makes an impression. She has really long full hair that must have created an enormous braid when pinned up. The photo was given to Jay by the daughter of his grandfather's...
Read MoreWacky Hair or Fashionable Foible?
I can't help it. I love the hairstyles and facial hair in photographs so much I'm actually thinking about a second volume of my Fashionable Folks: Hairstyles 1840-1900 book. The curls and whorls of nineteenth century styles definitely provide insights into your ancestor's fashion sense and their personality...
Read MoreWho’s That Girl?
Do you want a chance to win a trip for two to Belgium and a $1000 shopping trip to fashion icon Diane Von Furstenberg's boutique? All you have to do is register on the Red Star Line blog and solve a mystery. Anyone know the identity of this...
Read MoreWhat’s it Worth and What’s the Story?
Photos come in different shapes, sizes and mediums. They also come with stories. Let's take this image of Governor Blacksnake, aka Chainbreaker. I featured him in my book The Last Muster: Images of The Revolutionary War Generation. I'd found the image in the Extra Census Bulletin:...
Read MoreIdentifying an Old Crayon Portrait
This crayon portrait passed from Geri Diehl’s grandmother to her mother, and ultimately came to be in her own collection. She asks, "Could this be the wedding picture of Elizabeth Goza and William Harrington who married in 1846?"On FamilyTreeMagazine.com, Photo Detective Maureen A. Taylor adds up the clues...
Read MorePhoto Wishes Really Do Come True
There are two success stories this week: an answer for the contest winner and a current connection for a 20th century mystery!First, there is a solution to the picture of the men dressed like Indians that I covered in Contest Winner Mystery and Contest Winner Revisted. A few people...
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Men’s Neckwear in Old Photos (From My Mailbag)
In this era of digital imaging, it seems like everyone has a scanner. That's not entirely true, which is why the submission guidelines for this column, "How to Submit Your Photo" includes a mailing address. You can send me a letter and a copy of a photograph (NO...
Read MoreContest Winner Revisited
Last week I wrote about Juliann Hansen's photo of men dressed like Native Americans. It's definitely a mystery. No real breakthroughs this week. Genealogy Insider Diane Haddad found another collection of Cincinnati Butcher Supply Company material at the University of California at Davis. A small group of material was donated...
Read MoreThe Family Home as Backdrop in Old Pictures
Before flash photography, candles and lamplight couldn't provide sufficient illumination to take a photograph of a large group indoors. Families often chose to be photographed outdoors, with the family home as a backdrop. Photo Detective Maureen A. Taylor analyzes two such images on FamilyTreeMagazine.com. Solve your family photo mysteries...
Read MoreContest Winner Mystery
This is quite the photo problem. Contest winner Juliann Hansen and her family have tried for years to figure out the details in this photo. This week I'm going to outline what we know. It was found covered in dust at the Cincinnati Butchers' Supply Co. (CBS) at Elmwood Place...
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