Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Wordless Wednesday ~ Jim Pyle

Thank you to my fourth cousin (descended from the sister of Esther Abigail Whitman) who found my blog and shared the following with me.


and on the back:


Without extensive research, I'm theorizing that "Grandpa Bruce" is William Wallace Bruce (1863 - 1906), and the first cousin of James Tolman Pyle (1855 - 1912), which makes sense as this looks like the photo of a young man (see a photo of my grandfather for a family resemblance) perhaps in his 20's, so taken around 1880. (I'll take advice on dating of the photo in the comments below.)

In checking a few New York City directories on Fold3, I find that Frank or Francis P. Macnabb was a New York City photographer from about 1875 until after 1900. He was at 815 Broadway from 1875-1883, which helps in dating this photo. His address changed to 813 Broadway in 1884.

I never knew that my great grandfather was called "Jim."

6 comments:

  1. I love when pictures are 'identified'!

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    1. Thanks for reading and commenting. Yes, it's wonderful when someone has written on the back of a photo. I always turn an old photo over to see what's on the back!

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  2. That's great that you have an address stamp and a photographer to help you date the photo. I've just processed 100+ photos from family members and the best I could do was 1900-1930. That's a BIG gap. But, I'm not complaining... I have pictures I never had before. So excited that your cousin found you, scanned a photo, and added to your collection. That's the best feeling in the genealogy world.

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    1. Yes I am always so excited when a cousin reaches out to me, especially when he or she has something to share. I do have plenty of unidentified photos, so I know what you mean, but, even unidentified, old photos are enjoyable to look at and who knows, maybe someone, someday, will be able to help with identification.

      Thanks for reading and commenting!

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  3. Wonderful photo and great research! I love his mustache--it's interesting how men's facial hair styles have changed over the years.

    Sheryl (A Hundred Years Ago)

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    1. Yes, it's almost like he is using his mustache to show off. Thanks for reading and commenting!

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