"Norma Robertson McEdward, fifth daughter of Mrs McEdward Age 2 1/2 years" by Johnstone & O'Shannessy, Melbourne, Australia
I found it quite hard to make out the inscription on this photo but this has now been transcribed thanks to the detective work of ellenmc, less than 24 hours after posting the image, and the first one in this album to be identified by Flickr users.
Norma Robertson McEdward was the daughter of Alexander and Jessie McEdward, of Kew. She died On the 30th November, 1920, at Crows Nest. North Sydney [source]
I can find no mention of this specific name on ancestry.co.uk other than some North Sydney street directory entries for a Mrs N McEdward at 19 Willoughby St.
A further note on the reverse reads "With Aunt Janet’s Love". I wonder who Janet is?
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One of 140 images from a fascinating album. For more information see the full set
From 26-28 February I will be in the Truprint Photography Gallery at the Who Do You Think You Are? Live event at London’s Olympia. In the run up to that event, and with the help of show visitors over the three days, my aim is to use this album as an example of how Flickr, and the wider web community, can help identify these mystery, orphaned photograhs.
Just how many of these images can we identify, and what can we find out about the people they portray?
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9 comments
James wrote...
ellenmc: genius! I guess it's obvious once you realise it, but without your help I would never have guessed it. Thanks so much.
ellenmc wrote...
whatsthatpicture, you're welcome! I have my own photographic mysteries, but for some reason was able to make out the handwriting on the back of this one.
James wrote...
I wonder if we can find when she was born, so we can date this photograph? I suspect it could be late 1880s or into the 1890s, so that would mean she dies quite young.
Jayne Shrimpton wrote...
Hi James
I see that you estimated this to the 1880s or early 1890s and I'd go along with that completely.
Velvet fabric was still very fashionable for children's and adults' dresses at that time and the garment style worn with a low waist sash also fits in with that kind of era. A little later, from around the mid-90s, the loose smock dress became usual for young girls so we can be fairly sure this dates from before then.
The busy style of the back is also good for an 1880s/early 1890s date.
Jayne
John M wrote...
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Australian portrait, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
James wrote...
An interesting further chance bit of information about the Johnstone & O'Shanessy studio, gleaned from the British Library 'Points of View' exhibition that I visited on Sunday:
- in the mid 1880s they had new studios and are described as a "fashionable Melbourne firm"
- it is said they had artists rooms where photographs were coloured and retouched and "numerous private dressing rooms where clients can don fancy costumes with comfort and convenience"
Karin M Designs wrote...
It may be worth noting that this particular photography studio wasn't your average studio. They photographed royalty, governors (pre Prime Minister time) and 'people of note', and therefore 'wealth'. The location of the studio in Melbourne was in the very 'posh' shopping area of the time. The arcade where they were located is still there and in use (very pretty it is too).
lumieredaguerre wrote...
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Photo Backs and Photographic Advertising, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Norma Robertson McEd. (McEdward?) was fifth daughter of Mrs. McEdward, age 2 1/2 years. Go here and search page for "McEdward." Died Nov. 1920.