Help with Identifying!

[DanielCWatkins]

Hey everyone!

I wasn't sure if this should go in the photography or the "ancestry" forum, but here goes. I found this photograph in my grandparents attic and I need some help identifying anything from the photo. I have been doing some research and found that my grandfather's grandfather was named James A Watkins. He served in the South Carolina Infantry, 7th Battalion (Enfield Rifles), Company A. Also known as Nelson's Battalion. He also had 3 nephews that also served. Anything in this photo help support that this could possibly be James A Watkins?

Thanks!

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[RNMCSA]

I cant tell you if that is your GGgrandfather but that is a truly awsome photo. Thank you for sharing. And welcome to the forum. Is there any writing on the back?

 

[DanielCWatkins]

This is the problem. It has long been separated from the back. The image is on the back of the glass and I had to place a dark colored paper behind it to see the image. I am currently trying to due some touch ups in photoshop.

I also have one of his wife. (if this is him, she would be Jane C Watkins)

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[Nathanb1]

With something so fragile, I'd take it to a photographer who specializes in restoration...you have a lot of good museums in your area that could help you. An identified photo like that is worth the bucks, besides what you'll be handing down to your family.

She's very cute! It's rare to have smiles!

 

[DanielCWatkins]

Here are some pictures my dad just sent me. These must have been done around the same time. They seem to be wearing the same clothing!

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[tmh10]

With something so fragile, I'd take it to a photographer who specializes in restoration...you have a lot of good museums in your area that could help you. An identified photo like that is worth the bucks, besides what you'll be handing down to your family.

She's very cute! It's rare to have smiles!

Nathanb1 You should consider that hair style next time you go to the hairdresser. If you do please post a picture.

 

[Nathanb1]

I'm an old ranch girl. I grew up with my hair like that. Fits under a hat--which my mom wouldn't let me on a horse without.

 

[tmh10]

I'm an old ranch girl. I grew up with my hair like that. Fits under a hat--which my mom wouldn't let me on a horse without.

Makes sense to me. Practical is the way to go on things like that.

 

[Nathanb1]

Here are some pictures my dad just sent me. These must have been done around the same time. They seem to be wearing the same clothing!

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They are about the cutest couple I've seen around here! And she's still smiling!

 

[johan_steele]

Wonderful photos.

 

[Nathanb1]

My great-grandparents' wedding portrait is somewhat like that. Separate ovals on one tintype in one pose; another version puts them shoulder to shoulder and she's a little more duded up. I need to go dig those out and scan them in so you can see them. Probably done the same day. See where it looks in the 2nd one like he has a cape? I suspect post-war reconstruction (Hide the buttons and uniform with a little creative artwork!). Her dress looks the same, pretty much. Interesting! Do you know where they lived? Occasionally a museum in the town will know something about the photographer and his work.

 

[napoleon 12 pounder]

With something so fragile, I'd take it to a photographer who specializes in restoration...you have a lot of good museums in your area that could help you. An identified photo like that is worth the bucks, besides what you'll be handing down to your family.

She's very cute! It's rare to have smiles!

great advice. Definitely have it restored by a reputable company. Nathanb1 is correct. ask a museum for sources. there is only so much you can do wiith Photoshop. We repair and restore photos with it but these are modern photos with negatives or digitized copies. when something like this comes in we suggest museum quality restoration only.
i really like the 1st photo of the gentleman. a family heirloom!
respectfully,
Nap. 12 lb'r

 

[DanielCWatkins]

Thanks everyone for the comments and advice! I may have figured out another person this could be. It could possibly be George W. King (my 2nd great grandfather!) It is difficult because both my grandfather's side (James A Watkins - SC 7th Battalion Co. A) and grandmother's (George W. King - SC 7th Battalion Co. A) served in the same unit with at least 5 other ancestors of mine. I am 25 years old and probably the 7th or 8th generation from our small town in SC. They all lived on family farms about 2 miles from each other. I believe they are all buried at Union United Methodist Church (we just buried my grandmother there 3 months ago). I just got a Fold 3 account and trying to figure out all of my ancestors on there. Hopefully it will be clear soon.

Can anyone figure out what the guy is holding in the left hand corner?

 

[Gandycreek]

Hey everyone!

I wasn't sure if this should go in the photography or the "ancestry" forum, but here goes. I found this photograph in my grandparents attic and I need some help identifying anything from the photo. I have been doing some research and found that my grandfather's grandfather was named James A Watkins. He served in the South Carolina Infantry, 7th Battalion (Enfield Rifles), Company A. Also known as Nelson's Battalion. He also had 3 nephews that also served. Anything in this photo help support that this could possibly be James A Watkins?

Thanks!

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The only thing i would do with this ambrotype is find a cover glass for it an a nice case. Scan it and photo shop it , but imho don't try to clean it or handle it on the emulsion , (the photo itself). It will only deteriorate more.

 

[M E Wolf]

Frequently soldier photographs were posed with a weapon in their hand across the chest--with a tin-type, the image is reversed so it has a mirror effect, so the pistol would be in the right hand and so would the ribbons, citations etc.

I would also see if there is a register of Sons of the Confederacy, that might have had members pose for a post-war photograph at meetings/reunions.

I'd also go through the family albums and see if any more modern photographs, e.g. 1904, 1911, 1922, etc., posed with the portrait of the relative in the photograph. Sometimes that can help.

Just some thoughts.

M. E. Wolf

 

[TerryB]

Thanks everyone for the comments and advice! I may have figured out another person this could be. It could possibly be George W. King (my 2nd great grandfather!) It is difficult because both my grandfather's side (James A Watkins - SC 7th Battalion Co. A) and grandmother's (George W. King - SC 7th Battalion Co. A) served in the same unit with at least 5 other ancestors of mine. I am 25 years old and probably the 7th or 8th generation from our small town in SC. They all lived on family farms about 2 miles from each other. I believe they are all buried at Union United Methodist Church (we just buried my grandmother there 3 months ago). I just got a Fold 3 account and trying to figure out all of my ancestors on there. Hopefully it will be clear soon.

Can anyone figure out what the guy is holding in the left hand corner?

I have a little blue Bible from 1860 that looks a lot like what he's holding.

 

[Dugger]

I'm an old ranch girl. I grew up with my hair like that. Fits under a hat--which my mom wouldn't let me on a horse without.

Lotta hat huh...any cattle cowgirl?

 

[DanielCWatkins]

I have a little blue Bible from 1860 that looks a lot like what he's holding.

Would you happen to have a picture of the Bible? I would love to see it!

 

[DanielCWatkins]

Frequently soldier photographs were posed with a weapon in their hand across the chest--with a tin-type, the image is reversed so it has a mirror effect, so the pistol would be in the right hand and so would the ribbons, citations etc.

I would also see if there is a register of Sons of the Confederacy, that might have had members pose for a post-war photograph at meetings/reunions.

I'd also go through the family albums and see if any more modern photographs, e.g. 1904, 1911, 1922, etc., posed with the portrait of the relative in the photograph. Sometimes that can help.

Just some thoughts.

M. E. Wolf

I will definitely look through some more. I have a whole box but none or people that could be from this time. Most in the same box look from the 30s and 40s.

 

[TerryB]

Would you happen to have a picture of the Bible? I would love to see it!

I can take one tomorrow and post it.