In my collection of 19th century and early 20th century photos is an orphaned 9x7 inch photograph of students and teacher at
Huntersland School, Schoharie County New York.
The names of students were written on the back and while it was not
dated, we can study the photo for clues. We can also check census
records for the names of the students (a much easier task than using
clothing and hairstyles for clues)
Also the photographer is stamped on the reverse: P. J. Messer so we should be able to determine when he or she was in business.
A search indicates he was taking photographs in 1915 but I don't have
access to a book of photographers to find out the complete years he was
in business. Research indicates he was born Philip J. Messer ca 1888 and
died in 1939.
Teacher Stanley Heason, Huntersland School
Back row left to right: Judy Shufelt, Eula Sison, Hattie Conklyn, Ernest Utter, Hazel Laraway, Walden McCumber, Mildred Laraway, Ruth Cook
Second row: [? can't read] Becker, Minnie Heason, Ros-- Coons, Mae Acker, Grant Laraway
Front row: Beatrice Spencer, Manyard? Laraway, - Cook, - Shufelt
CLUES
Census records on Ancestry indicate that Stanley (the teacher)
and Minnie Heason were the children of George & Isadora Heason and
lived in Middleburgh New York. Stanley was born ca 1890 and Minnie ca
1901. Minnie looks to be about 12 years old in the photograph, giving us
an estimated year when it was taken of circa 1913.
Next I found Manard Laraway born in 1905 living in Middleburgh. He looks
to be about 10 years old in the photo so that would give an estimated
year of 1915 for the photo
* Grant Laraway was born ca 1902 and is in Middleburgh
* Walden McComber was born ca 1897 and lived in Middleburgh. I'd
estimate he is no more than 16 years old in the photo, dating it to ca
1913
Hairstyles of the girls suggest pre 1920, perhaps around 1915 or so.
Clothing is a mixture of periods and I suspect that may be due to
a number of reasons - some children may not have had current fashions
to wear. Older students, girls especially, might have known it was
picture day and parents may have suggested they wear mom's best Sunday
dress or skirt and blouse. This would put those girls in earlier
fashions. Some children could be wearing older siblings hand-me-downs.
However we can look at one distinctive feature - the V-necked yoke worn
by three of the younger girls, then do some research to find out when
this style came into fashion. That would allow us to determine an
earliest date when the photo was taken.
We should also note the below-the-knee knickers that the young boys in
the front row are wearing. One also looks to be holding a newsboy style
cap. This helps confirm an estimated timeline for the photograph of
1910-1915.
Item #30 For sale: $20.00 + shipping (we need your zip or postal code to determine shipping costs)
