My contribution to the Sepia "country church" theme is not a church, but a Sunday School photo from the Swedish countryside in 1912. Must be end-of-term, in June, so almost exactly 107 years ago. The photo is glued into a photo album that my paternal grandfather got for his 50th birthday - and with Sunday School 1912 written underneath. He was born in June 1904, and this is probably the earliest photo of him that exists. The problem is that I don't know which boy in the group he is! He'd be eight years old here. My bet is on the one fourth from the left in the front row, wearing a sailor blouse - but that's just a guess (based on the shape of the face). With time, he became a journalist and a good photographer himself. He grew up in rather poor circumstances, though. I'm not familiar enough with the fashion of 1912 to guess which outfit might be considered higher status at the time: sailor blouse or suit! But obviously, whatever else you were wearing, some kind of hat was required...
Linking to Sepia Saturday 474
so many photos from the past, no one thought to mark names and places on them. thinking we know which one until they are gone and no one knows. that is really old for a photograph
ReplyDeleteYes. My own photo albums have more notes (learned that from my mum) but after my parents died + digital photography took over (including taking way too many photos to have them all printed out), I guess the blog has become my photo album instead. (Although more for "when and where" than "who".)
DeleteIf you have a photo of him when he was older it's possible that facial recognition technology might identity your grandfather. But then again iy might be a bit too small and vague.
ReplyDeleteGraham, I think there are no more photos until he's 18 and over. I suspect that in this case I'd only trust technology if it agreed with me! :)
DeleteWas your grandfather tall? The long face of the boy 4th in from the left in the first row has a long face which might indicate he was tall?
ReplyDeleteLaN, I think he was fairly tall. He did have an oblong face with a high forehead. On this photo, a bit hard to tell where their hairlines are, though :)
DeleteHow wonderful! But I guess this mystery will never be solved. Do you have any other pictures of him as a boy, so you can compare? They all look very serious, but I do see the hint of a smile on the girl fifth from the left in the middle row. I'm sure she knew the secret of which one he was.
ReplyDeleteGinny, the photos I tried to compare with are from when he's 18 or over.
DeleteThat's awesome finding out about your grandfather.
ReplyDeleteAmy, looking at old family pictures is a bit like trying to lay a never-ending jigsaw puzzle...
DeleteIt must have been an exciting occasion for all the children to have their photo taken. Everyone dressed in their Sunday best, careful not to spoil their clothes and hats and hair ribbons, then be arranged in a group by the photographer, having tomstand or sit still long enough formthe picture to be taken, and finally, afterwards breaking up for the summer!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you're right, Meike. :) There are very few photos from my grandparents' childhood.
DeleteWhat a great family photo to have in your collection. A shame you don't know exactly which boy is your grandfather -- but the picture certainly captures a slice of his life at the time.
ReplyDeleteI love these vintage school photographs. Sailor suits were a very popular style of dress for royal children, - think of the many photographs of British and Russian royalty in the early 20th century and earlier.
ReplyDeleteIt's a super photo even with the unconfirmed identity. The variety of hats and dress really make it special. I imagine for many large families hand-me-downs prolonged some fashion styles.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful children! Love the photo even without names.
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