Genealogy Chat

At least I think they are called that. They are brown and white! as opposed to black and white. Does anyone know when this form of photography was discontinued, I am trying to put a date on an old family photo I have so any help would be appreciated as I am in the dark (sorry for the pun). Thank you Pat

Hi Pat, the brown and white photos were called sepia, a cousin of my dads has just confirmed a name of one of his family which was taken in early 1940,s. Cherry

Sepia pics depended on the kind of camera and film you had or used, as some supplyers had stock up to the 50s in some cases and some people held on to old cameras Etc. then you could be looking for a date the wrong way. What is in the pic(s) you could have better luck by what is being worn or other info in them. There is a site that can help date them from the clothes, but can not think of it. there was a thread on it just befor Xmas. try doing a search I think it was called some thing like "how to date Photos."

I think you can still get sepia photos today, but they were definitely fashionable up to about the 1930's.

With digetal camers you can turn any pic in to sepia. I have one I did Of our Mayor in a horse drawn carrage. The only way you can tell Its a fake is becuse I left a car in the back ground by misstake. every thing eles moden got removed.

Thank you all for you info. The photos were taken in a studio (proffessional photographer) they are of children I am trying to work out if they are of my father or eldest brother although the one seems to have a dress on (child aged about 3) with a page boy cut hair style. My father was born in 1902 and my eldest brother 1924. I do know at one time little boys were put in dresses but am not sure if that was in Victorian times. Isn't it funny when even a photo can create a mystery. Pat

If this is a studio photo, do you have the name of the photographer? That might be a clue to the date.

We useed to have a photo of my father with a dress on and ringletts! He was with his brother aged about 3 at the time. dad was born in 1914, his brother in 1911. Now I would love to have the photo but of course it is nowhere to be found! Luckily my Grandma went on to have 3 girls and Dad started wearing boys clothes ! Alice

Please don't be fooled by all brown and white photos. I have some that look sepia that I have scanned into my computer. I have used the auto filter and it takes off the brown and white to reveal a black and white photo underneath or a tinted one. A lot of photos go brown and white if they have had a lot of light on them over the years. Jacky

This site has some information on dating old photographs http://www.cartes.freeuk.*com/time/time.htm MB

Boys were still wearing dresses in the mid 30's. Somewhere there is a photo of my uncle in a dress. He was born 1935.

Again thank you for all your replies, I knew I could rely on you all to give me helpful advice. The name of the photographer and studio are on the back, so that is one option re the computer software turning brown to black that is too technical for a thicko like me, I will get my son to look. The thing is I KNOW I have seen this photo before but as my eldest brother and father looked alike I cannot be sure. My eldest brother was 13 when I was born he was an only child for 10 years then another 4 of us came along. It would be nice to know though. I shall try all your suggestions and see what happens. A BIG thank you Pat