The Mystery of the Three Ladies

As I was poking around my dad's basement the other day, I came upon an awesome find that he had tucked in a drawer of my grandfather's old roll top desk. Slipped inside one of those plastic covers that used to protect savings passbooks, was a little tin frame. I had to pick it up, and when I did an image of three women appeared. I was excited, but the all too familiar question arose - who were they?  No names, nothing.

Pulling Maureen Taylor's Preserving Your Family Photographs book off the bookshelf, it would seem this little gem is a daguerreotype. It is in a case. It has a shiny, mirror-like surface. And it has to be held at a certain angle in order to see the image.  Holding straight on one can make out faint faces, but it has to be tipped for the facial details and dresses to appear. The case itself has the familiar gold-faced framed, a fairly thick piece of glass, and a tin (or some such metal) backing. And overall, it's dimensions fit the size for a typical sixth-plate daguerreotype.

Based on the review, that would date this particular photo from 1840-about 1855, when ambrotype and tintype photos rose in popularity

I was able, after a few attempts, to capture the image digitally. The reflective nature of the polished metal and glass did add a little challenge.  So, I now have a great image of these three ladies to work with.  But alas, there's that mystery of who were they?  Sisters? Cousins? Friends?  Where they relations on my family tree and if so, which of my paternal lines? Mower? Vickery? Richardson? Eastman? Dexter? Gibbs? Gould?  I unfortunately do not see any family resemblances to aid.

So for now, I'll just treasure and enjoy the photo of the three mysterious ladies.

The Mystery of the Three Ladies

H. Elizabeth Vickery - 1909

From the Photo Album

Here is an interesting photo of my grandmother, Harriet Elizabeth Vickery, take in September 1909 at Pushaw Lake in Glenburn. That would make her 2 years 9 months of age here.

The photo was printed as a post card. It was mailed to Miss Marcia Parker, 330 Center St, Bangor, Maine.  Marcia was my grandmother's aunt, a sister to her mother Harriet Bain (Parker) Vickery. The note reads (if I have it correct):
Marcia are you still living or have you gone to the other side. Why dont you come out some time Aunt Hattie is coming out some time this week. And it's signed Hattie.

I only have two Harriet/Hattie's on this branch of my family tree (I think). My great-grandmother nee Harriet Bain Parker who went by Hattie. And my grandmother nee Harriet Elizabeth Vickery who went by H., always using her middle name or Lizzie.

I would assume the Hattie sending the note is my great-grandmother, jotting off this note to her sister. But then who is the Aunt Hattie referenced as coming out? 

If any relatives or friends are able to shed some light, I am all ears.

George R. & H. Elizabeth Mower

From the Photo Album



Here is a photo of my paternal grandparents, George Richardson Mower & H. Elizabeth (Vickery) Mower. 

The photo is undated, but I'm thinking in the 1970s.

If anyone has a better date, please let me know so I can update.