Civilian Images

[Peter Stines]

These images are from tintypes, although one is from a glass plate. I'm not 100% sure who they are, but I believe these are from my mother's step-father's side of the family. This included the Wilsons, the Walkers and Walsh. I'm pretty sure the lady in the gold foil case is Ann Donley. She was from County Mayo Ireland. She was born near Newport in 1825 and immigrated to Buffalo New York in 1841. Her husband was William H. Wilson from Manchester England. The Wilsons came over to America as a family. There were no dates or names on any images. I thought this might be useful for civilian impressions. If anyone recognizes these people from images they have, please share it. Thanks for all help and comments.

 

[James N.]

Nearly all of these are obviously postwar; only the first lady pictured is period, and possibly antebellum. The rest are 1870's or later.

 

[JOHN42768]

I'm sure we all have old photos without names. Lost generational connections. Such a shame

 

[Peter Stines]

For the benefit of others, can you point out what makes these post war? Not arguing with you, just thought it would assist others in this "mad pursuit of dead relatives..."

 

[James N.]

For the benefit of others, can you point out what makes these post war? Not arguing with you, just thought it would assist others in this "mad pursuit of dead relatives..."

The clothing, hairstyles, and general appearance of the photograph itself. After you've looked at enough unquestionably Civil War-era (that is, identified) tintypes and CDV's, you will be able to tell the difference.

 

[Lubliner]

They all have a very noticeable similarity in their expressions, besides being very attractive!
Lubliner.

 

[Mrs. V]

For the benefit of others, can you point out what makes these post war? Not arguing with you, just thought it would assist others in this "mad pursuit of dead relatives..."

Image One..off shoulder ball gown..tiny sleeves..belt on a full skirt. Civil War era
Image 2..rounded collar with cravat hidden underneath..lapels on the suit jacket
Image 3..looks like a bustle peaking out behind her to the left. I think she is Reconstruction era.
Image 4..the skirt is much flatter in front and she definitely has an elliptical walking cage under those skirts..pleats too...
Image 5..again the collar! Tall with rounded bottoms..later Victorian as others have mentioned.
I am by no means an expert. However, having sewn several period pieces, including late Victorian dresses, I can see the differences.

 

[JPChurch]

In the first photo shown, it looks like the lady's jewelry was enhanced prior to the pic being encased....a common practice back then, as was adding some tint to the cheeks. She appears to be very striking with firm countenance and very light blue/grey eyes. Stunning indeed. It always makes you wonder what the people in these vintage photos were like in person...….

I have a similar encased tintype (could be an ambrotype) of this nature of my GG grandfather's parents seated next to each other. Kind of like a "portrait" image of the two of them from the midriff up. They both appear to be very young, perhaps in their early 40's. The wife is very pretty and she has a bit of tint added to her cheeks. I would date it to be taken around the mid 1850's......

 

[Peter Stines]

First of all THANK YOU to ALL who commented on the images. Hopefully I can assign some names to these folks! The first image (with the gold foil in wooden case) is Ann Donley Wilson. She was born in County Mayo Ireland in 1825. She came to America in 1841 and settled in Buffalo NY. She married William Hugh Wilson (from Manchester England) in 1858. She was among the mourners who walked past Lincoln's casket when he was lying in state. She lived to be 107 years old and was interviewed several times. She was indeed feisty, ate and drank what she wanted (including beer) My mother met her once and apparently did not like her so she kicked her in the shins.

 

[Peter Stines]

They all have a very noticeable similarity in their expressions, besides being very attractive!
Lubliner.

Unfortunately for me, I did not inherit that attractiveness, but this is the step-father's side of mom's family.......................

 

[JPChurch]

Great story about Ann Donley Wilson!!

 

[chubachus]

These images are from tintypes, although one is from a glass plate. I'm not 100% sure who they are, but I believe these are from my mother's step-father's side of the family. This included the Wilsons, the Walkers and Walsh. I'm pretty sure the lady in the gold foil case is Ann Donley. She was from County Mayo Ireland. She was born near Newport in 1825 and immigrated to Buffalo New York in 1841. Her husband was William H. Wilson from Manchester England. The Wilsons came over to America as a family. There were no dates or names on any images. I thought this might be useful for civilian impressions. If anyone recognizes these people from images they have, please share it. Thanks for all help and comments.

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The glass plate one (first one?) would be called an ambrotype and would have been taken probably during the late 1850s or early 1860s.

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

Dating clothing in images is a great way to help track down who they may be in the family tree. It's not infallible because not everyone went out and bought the newest fashion the day it was published in some fashion periodical. Men can ( I said ' can ' ) be tougher. You just know some of the suits their wives wrestled them into had been worn at their weddings and every, single Sunday for the next two decades.

Good references for women would be sketches in era fashion periodicals and say, images of famous women where the dates are pretty much carved in stone.

Wonderful family photos, thanks for sharing them!

 

[Seduzal]

Thanks for sharing this awesome article and photos.

 

[Peter Stines]

I have a tintype of my great-great grandmother. I suspect this one dates from 1870's or 1880. But I'll leave that to the members. She was living in Galveston during the war.

 

[Peter Stines]

The glass plate one (first one?) would be called an ambrotype and would have been taken probably during the late 1850s or early 1860s.

Thanks! I suspect she had this taken about the time of her marriage in 1857. I'm still looking for an image of her husband. He was exempt from service. He had four (???) children by a previous marriage and added several more by Ann. Charles Donley Wilson was my mother's step-father. He was born in 1863.