Dating victorian photographs

How to date Victorian and Edwardian photographs?

Family photographs quickly became an important part of Victorian life; a tool for creating memories, legacies and identities. All of these photographs come from the National Trust which looks after collections across its properties and provide a good example of how to date Victorian and Edwardian photographs.

How can you determine the date of a Victorian family photo?

But just as you can decipher the dates of Victorian family photos by photo type, women’s clothing styles and hairstyles, you can also do so by using fashion hints found in men’s clothing from the Victorian era.

How can I tell when a Victorian studio portrait was taken?

Nearly all Victorian studio portraits include details about the name of the studio and its business address on the cards on which they are mounted. From this information it is usually possible to use local trade directories to date when the photograph was taken—sometimes, if you are lucky, to within a comparatively short time span.

How to date old family photos?

Clues To Dating Old Photographs 1 Clothing and Accessories. When we look at our old family photos one of the first things that is brought to our attention is the clothing. 2 Hairstyles. Similar to the clothing that our ancestors wore we are also drawn to their hair and how it was worn. 3 Background. ... 4 Type of Photograph and Studio. ...

How can you determine the date of a Victorian family photo?

But just as you can decipher the dates of Victorian family photos by photo type, women’s clothing styles and hairstyles, you can also do so by using fashion hints found in men’s clothing from the Victorian era.

How can I tell when a Victorian studio portrait was taken?

Nearly all Victorian studio portraits include details about the name of the studio and its business address on the cards on which they are mounted. From this information it is usually possible to use local trade directories to date when the photograph was taken—sometimes, if you are lucky, to within a comparatively short time span.

Are there any studio day books or records for Victorian family photographs?

Without a doubt, the question I am most frequently asked about Victorian family photographs is: ‘Are there any studio day books or records in existence that would help me date my photographs and identify the sitters?’ Unfortunately, it is very rare for the negatives and business records of local photographic studios to have survived.

What does printed text on an image in Victorian photographs mean?

Printed text on an image in Victorian photographs usually relates to the photography studio. In this picture, it refers to Edgar Davey Lavender, who operated a studio in Bromley from 1891. Finding out when a photographer operated is useful for dating Victorian images.

Is it possible to date old family photos?

Many family historians have a collection of unidentified old family photos they’re not sure what to do with–but can’t bear to throw out. In this article, we’ll share tips for helping you accurately date old family photos. Photographs are one of the treasures of genealogy.

What should I do with my old family photos?

Your family members will appreciate seeing the photographs, and they can save the pictures for their own digital libraries. You might not have an emotional connection to all of your photographs, but this doesn’t mean that they should be destroyed.

How can I Date my photograph?

If your photograph is a carte de visite or a cabinet card (i.e. 1860 – 1910 only) – use our DIY dating wizard – it is UNIQUE and FUN and is available ONLY on this website. The Wizard will date your photograph to within a 9 year time span or less, if not, we will custom date your photograph personally at no additional cost.

How can you tell how old a photo is?

It may seem obvious, but don’t forget to check the photograph carefully for any written marks which might point towards its age. Does the photographer’s studio name appear on either side of the photograph? If so, you may be able to date it to the period when the photographer was active.