This is a priceless (to me) image in my computer file folders from the Carringer family collection:
This photograph was taken in about 1915 at the Carringer house in San Diego at 2105 30th Street. The persons in the photograph (according to the names on the back of the photo) are (from the left:
A black and white outdoor portrait of six females—ranging from a young girl to older women—posed together near a sidewalk. They are dressed in formal, light-colored summer attire typical of the early 20th century, complete with large, elaborate hats. The group is arranged informally on and around a low retaining wall, with a young girl in the foreground holding a doll. The background features lush vegetation, including a palm frond, and a wooden house, under bright daylight.
2) Historical Background
This photograph captures a multi-generational group of women and girls, likely a family gathering or social outing, reflecting middle-class life in America just before or during the early years of World War I. The names provided in the metadata (Crouch, Milbank, Smith) suggest a family group. The fashion illustrates the transition from the rigid Edwardian silhouette to the slightly more practical, yet still highly decorated, styles of the 1910s.
Research Tips: Genealogists should search US Census records for 1910 and 1920 for the surnames Crouch, Milbank, and Smith living in close proximity, particularly in states like California or Florida given the flora. City directories from 1910-1915 could also pinpoint the exact address if the head of household is known.
3) Estimated Date:
Prediction: Circa 1912-1915. Confidence: High. Reasoning: The provided date of "ca 1915" is strongly supported by the visual evidence. The tailored suit worn by the standing woman, the specific style of wide-brimmed hats, and the ankle-length skirts are hallmark fashion trends of the pre-WWI 1910s. By the late 1910s, silhouettes became slightly more barrel-shaped and hats began to evolve, making 1912-1915 the most accurate window.
4) Estimated location:
Prediction: Southern United States or California (e.g., Los Angeles area). Confidence: Medium. Reasoning: The presence of a palm frond mixed with deciduous/broadleaf trees, combined with the wooden residential architecture and concrete sidewalk, strongly points to a warm, developed American climate like Southern California or Florida during the early 20th century. The subjects appear to be middle-class Americans.
5) Visual Clues:
Fashion: The subjects wear characteristic 1910s attire. Notable elements include wide-brimmed hats (some with plumes or floral decorations), a tailored women's walking suit with a hip-length jacket and ankle-length skirt (center-left), light-colored lacy or sheer summer dresses, dark stockings, and Mary Jane shoes on the younger girls. Objects: The youngest girl holds a large, light-colored doll. Environment: The setting is a residential street with a paved concrete sidewalk and a low stone or concrete retaining wall. The background foliage is dense and includes a distinct palm tree frond on the right, suggesting a warm climate. A wooden house with porch detailing and a wooden utility pole are visible behind the trees.
6) Technical Details:
The image is a black and white photograph, likely a gelatin silver print, typical of consumer snapshot photography from the early 1900s. It exhibits moderate contrast and slight softness, with minor edge wear but overall good preservation. The aspect ratio and tonal range are consistent with roll film cameras (like Kodak Brownies or folding pocket cameras) popular during the 1910s.
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