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Joseph William Myers Family

Updated Jun 26, 2025
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Joseph William Myers Family
Adults - Back Row: Elizabeth Caroline Blocker Myers, wife of Joseph William Myers, Joseph William Myers and Francis Joel Myers, Joseph William Myers' father. The two children could be Julia and Marquis (Mark) Myers based on the approximate time period for this photo, and their estimated age in the photo based on their appearance.
People in photo include: Joseph William Myers, Emma Kelley Myers, Sarah Anna Myers, Robert Davis Myers, Francis Joel Myers, Elizabeth Caroline Blocker Myers, and Elizabeth Caroline Blocker Myers
Date & Place: in Mississippi United States
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LOL…if looks could kill? :) Joseph William Myers and family taken around 1897 in Mississippi.
Photo of Debbie Goth Debbie Goth
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10/29/2014
Now here's a happy bunch
Photo of Hugh Pogue Hugh Pogue
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10/29/2014
A glum lot!
Photo of Tess Squint Lawrence Tess Squint Lawrence
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10/29/2014
something wrong here!!
Photo of Loretta Jones Loretta Jones
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10/29/2014
What's their story?
Most ppl didn't smile
In pix back in the day.
Any infos on them?
Photo of Bethane O'Connell Bethane O'Connell
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10/29/2014
Happy go lucky group...
Photo of Patrice Harbour Patrice Harbour
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10/29/2014
It took hours for one good photo. This was a best. Most the time they had to stare into the sun. Glum. I'd say forget it. Thank God for modern technology
Photo of Fern Murray Fern Murray
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10/29/2014
Not a happy family photograph, but times must have been a lot harder back then.
Photo of Daria Smith Novak Daria Smith Novak
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10/29/2014
happy happy happy
Photo of Alana Rehbock Alana Rehbock
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10/29/2014
Whoa !!! Clearly smiling wasn't part of the plan😊
Photo of Jessica Pearce Jessica Pearce
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10/29/2014
Is it just me or does the woman have a disfigured chin?
Photo of Dory Lewis Dory Lewis
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10/29/2014
Lady of the house looks none to excited
Photo of Bernice Jones Bernice Jones
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10/29/2014
Mom's left lower jaw, looks swollen.
Photo of Debbie Anderson Debbie Anderson
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10/29/2014
It's the heat and those heavy fabrics!
Photo of Iva A. Green Iva A. Green
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10/29/2014
The older gentlemen on the right appears to be a lil bit less gloomy.
Photo of Debbie Lyons Rhyder Debbie Lyons Rhyder
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10/29/2014
Hey, if mama ain't happy, nobody's happy....and here's the proof :-)
ancestors of the brady bunch huh
Photo of Mike Mills Mike Mills
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10/29/2014
Ah. The good old days!
Photo of Carmela Ferriol Carmela Ferriol
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10/29/2014
Probably a very hard life not very much to smile about back then.
Photo of Deborah Luty Ellis Deborah Luty Ellis
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10/29/2014
I know that people didn't smile partly due to bad teeth, but this is either sad or creepy. Maybe a bit of both.
Photo of Jan Owens Jan Owens
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10/29/2014
The rest of the family are buried in the backyard.
Photo of Sandy Sahagian Sandy Sahagian
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10/29/2014
I am a third generation photographer with 3 masters degrees in photography and thw reason for no smiles in the early times in photos is that the exposures were mostly 10 minutes long, so hard to hold a smile that long and still be in focus. Alsi the chin issue of the mom is damage on the photo, not disfuguration.
Photo of Holly Lomax Holly Lomax
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10/29/2014
I think you're right about the chin issue being damage, but when the photo is enlarged, it actually does look like the left side of her mouth is a bit swollen and looks like her cheek is bruised (and possibly above her eye as well).
Photo of Iris Rozelle Cogburn Iris Rozelle Cogburn
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10/29/2014
I was about to say this myself
Photo of Diane Fox Diane Fox
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10/29/2014
Which would leave her precious little reason to smile.
Photo of Judy Williams Judy Williams
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10/29/2014
Yes, it was perfectly acceptable to beat your woman back then..not saying this is what the issue was here.
Photo of JoAnn Rogers Bidgood JoAnn Rogers Bidgood
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10/29/2014
I was thinking the same thing, that the husband may have hit her. It really does look like she is bruised on the left side of her face and under her eye and above her eye.
Photo of Claire Larson Claire Larson
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10/29/2014
I'm glad you explained, she sure doesn't look very good! I wondered about abuse and/or dental problems...
Photo of Tammy Brock Tammy Brock
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10/29/2014
I wondered why people appeared to be so "unhappy " looking.
Photo of Mick's Place Mick's Place
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10/29/2014
That, or the photographer was using a canon :P
Photo of Gaynor Gauthier Gaynor Gauthier
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10/29/2014
OR... she could have had a fall... or was in some sort of an accident. Right?
Photo of Jane Jefferies Jane Jefferies
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10/29/2014
I think she's been clobbered.Her whole demeaner looks withdrawn and fearful...
Photo of Tess Stamell Tess Stamell
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10/29/2014
If the woman is the mother what is the age difference between her and the men ... at least 20 years or more ?
Photo of Bill Blackford Bill Blackford
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10/29/2014
Holy s***. People turning this into women's lib issue. She could have an abscessed tooth.
Photo of Jessie Whitten Jessie Whitten
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10/30/2014
Thank you it drives me insane when people say "oh they look so unhappy" or "life was so hard then they had nothing to smile about" and life was hard but that's all they knew so I'm sure when they did have happy times I'm sure they were very happy. Also you never hear old stories of your ancestors that they had such a sad horrible life so why would people think others had it worse then their own families. Unless you come from a rich line of people I assume most peoples lives then were fairly similar.
Photo of Ninon Nickerson Ninon Nickerson
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10/30/2014
I posted my reply above, but women and children were the property of men...like cows. I don't think being a woman (especially a poor woman) would be a good thing to be back in those days. The religious South is not exactly easy on women to this day...you think women were treated with dignity back then in places like Mississippi?? Doubt it!
Photo of Sandy Sahagian Sandy Sahagian
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10/30/2014
It really is more like damage on the photograph or bad digital retouching, it looks swollen because it is lighter in that area, so a scuff or someone trying to retouch and went too light. Her neck is lighter than her cheek, so that makes it look like there is a bump on the cheek. There are more reasons, but I am low on time right now.
Photo of Connie C Morgan Connie C Morgan
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10/30/2014
Thanks for the nice explanation Sandy Sahagian. I LOVE photography and I'm a pretty good amateur but wish I had taken it further. I studied music instead. I just love pictures and have taken thousands in my day. It's really great to hear an expert opinion, though.
Photo of Connie C Morgan Connie C Morgan
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10/30/2014
I actually think the mom's ruffle on her dress covered part of her chin when she sat down is why her chin looks foreshortened.
Photo of Dala Guisinger Dala Guisinger
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10/31/2014
I don't think people should be forced to smile for every photo anyway. It's unnatural unless you're feeling it. And, I don't think it was a 'requirement' in early photography to smile.
Photo of Karla Decker Karla Decker
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10/29/2014
Weren't the cameras a lot slower back then and if they smiled they might blue the picture?
Photo of Tessa Marie D'Elia Tessa Marie D'Elia
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10/29/2014
Know I see where you got it from David. 😒
Photo of Jeannette Bowyer Jeannette Bowyer
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10/29/2014
Stuart Bowyer, is that you on far right?
Photo of Rose Gasak Rose Gasak
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10/29/2014
teeth or no teeth these people looked not happy
Photo of Gareth Smith Gareth Smith
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10/29/2014
Can you do some McCarthys ?
Photo of Cheryl Boyd Cheryl Boyd
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10/29/2014
Very hard life
Photo of Jan Thompson Jan Thompson
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10/29/2014
Oh my, life was hard :-(
Photo of John Miller John Miller
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10/29/2014
They all look constipated....
Photo of Bill Manley Bill Manley
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10/29/2014
Sandra Sahagian..got it right..it just took too long to keep a smile on their face.
Photo of Monica Garris Monica Garris
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10/29/2014
Wow.
Photo of Evilla Dollyz Evilla Dollyz
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10/29/2014
Beautiful picture but looks like hard times echoing in their faces.
Photo of Kathy Chapel Johnson Kathy Chapel Johnson
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10/29/2014
Not a very happy family..I know times were hard, but geeeze..:/
Photo of Cathy Weatherby Cathy Weatherby
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10/29/2014
Reminds me of my passport picture!
Photo of Susie MossRose Susie MossRose
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10/29/2014
Plus they often had to sit still for a long while.
Photo of Denny Parker Denny Parker
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10/29/2014
The woman looks like the left side of her face is bruised/swollen.......
Photo of Heather Kelloway Heather Kelloway
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10/29/2014
Sandy Sahagian you beat me to the comment I was going to make! My grandparents were born in the late 1800s and my maternal grandmother always sat stone faced when a camera came out. She also would ask "Is it done?" We have no photos of her beautiful smile because she was taught to be still & expressionless for pictures.
Photo of Cheryl Gazar Cheryl Gazar
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10/29/2014
They never smiled back then .
Photo of Nicole Morkert Hashimoto Nicole Morkert Hashimoto
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10/29/2014
It looks like they are glaring into the bright sun, and also curious about the equipment in front of them.
Photo of Bruce McLeod Bruce McLeod
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10/29/2014
1897 Mississippi? Wonder if they were Klan members? The old fellow on the right looks like grand imperial wizard...
Photo of Bill Blackford Bill Blackford
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10/29/2014
Do your research. There was no KKK in 1897.
Photo of Bruce McLeod Bruce McLeod
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10/29/2014
Do your research,I dont give a f*** a******...
Photo of Deb Ace Elliott Deb Ace Elliott
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10/29/2014
Happy bunch
Photo of Lena Condic Lena Condic
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10/29/2014
Somebody needs a hug.
Photo of Peppi Patrice Davidson Peppi Patrice Davidson
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10/29/2014
I wonder how many pictures would an average family sitting would get? Like now we get picture packages and send some to family. So I wonder if they could only afford 1 picture, like getting a portrait painted? Or did they get at least 2 to give away at least 1 to someone else?
Photo of Daphne Weaving Daphne Weaving
via Facebook
10/29/2014
When photography came into being in the late eighties, it was very, very costly. The family would dress in Their Sunday best for the photo shoot. These poor souls are dressed in tatters and probably had to mortgage their home to pay the photographer, no wonder they are so solemn. Tough times.
Photo of Connie Newman Connie Newman
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10/29/2014
What did they have to smile about, times were rough!
Sure looks like a happy bunch!
Photo of Jane Pedler Jane Pedler
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10/29/2014
Nothing like one big happy family....wow!
Photo of Peppi Patrice Davidson Peppi Patrice Davidson
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10/29/2014
I dare to disagree, that chin and mouth look swollen, and the whole side of her face looks red (darker) than the rest. Nobody else in the picture has that distortion.
Photo of Kim Marston Kim Marston
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10/29/2014
People had a very hard life in those days not much to smile about.
Photo of Andrea Hernandez Andrea Hernandez
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10/29/2014
No smiles allowed! Geez
Photo of Susan Pond Barnekoff Susan Pond Barnekoff
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10/29/2014
In those old pics they always had scowls on their faces...I wonder if they were told 'everyone scowl now'!
Photo of Bill Blackford Bill Blackford
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10/29/2014
ha ha ha ...If you lived in 1897 Mississippi you'd probably would be scowling too.
Photo of Sandy Sahagian Sandy Sahagian
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10/29/2014
If they were truly mortgaging their home to pay for that photographer they would have made the best of the moment and looked better! It WAS the time exposure that caused the solemn expression, and photographers in those days charged a reasonable amount considering the time, materials and expertise it took just like today.
Photo of Mary Sigler Mary Sigler
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10/29/2014
The old man is almost smiling like he knows a secret.
Photo of Susan Pond Barnekoff Susan Pond Barnekoff
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10/29/2014
...or you know how it is when the fam is all trying to get dressed up and ready to have pics taken, kids aren't cooperatin', mom and pop get upset, puts everyone in a bad mood ... I've been there!
Photo of Sandra Hunger Hendley Sandra Hunger Hendley
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10/29/2014
These are not happy people. I know back then they did not smile for pictures but this is misery written on these faces.
Photo of Dottie Thompson Dottie Thompson
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10/29/2014
How sad and unhappy these people look. I guess they had good reason..
Photo of Sandra Nowaczyk Sandra Nowaczyk
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10/29/2014
Creepy!
Photo of Pati Patouch Pati Patouch
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10/29/2014
beautiful picture! i'm making a collection of old photographies from the end of 19th and the beging of the 20th centurie.... :)
Photo of Patricia Murphy Valentini Patricia Murphy Valentini
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10/29/2014
Poor family. They look so unhappy
Photo of Jolene Marks Rogers Jolene Marks Rogers
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10/29/2014
Love this picture.
Photo of Mariann I. Bergeron-Foti Mariann I. Bergeron-Foti
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10/29/2014
Funny how majority of the old photos, even my families, no one smiles. I guess smiling for the pic wasn't a common thing back then.
Photo of Faith Joy North Berry Faith Joy North Berry
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10/29/2014
This is some of my Wilson Clan and they didn't smile much either. They were inside also.
Photo of Bill Blackford Bill Blackford
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10/29/2014
It was a hard life back then. People probably didn't smile as much.
Photo of Peg Williams Peg Williams
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10/29/2014
My kids have 'Wilson Clan' ancestors that came through Kentucky, Oklahoma and parts west.
Photo of Ruth Crook Ruth Crook
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07/22/2015
No, they are not smiling, but they don't look beaten down like the woman in the picture or frightened like the children.
Photo of Greg Rainwater Greg Rainwater
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10/29/2014
she got a dip or a busted jaw
Photo of Bob Martinez Bob Martinez
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10/29/2014
People never smiled in the old days
Photo of Tracie Harvey Tracie Harvey
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10/29/2014
grandpappy looks fairly happy.lol
Photo of Judi Moore Judi Moore
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10/29/2014
Why did they never smile in pictures back then?
Photo of Nedda Maffei Nedda Maffei
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10/29/2014
How sad they are!
Photo of Cathleen O'Brien Bastian Cathleen O'Brien Bastian
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10/29/2014
Must have had a hard life!
Photo of Rosella Bassett Rosella Bassett
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10/29/2014
The woman has a bruise on her eye and sore on her chin and bruises on her arm .I'd say she was beaten .No reason to smile
Photo of Clyde McCarty Clyde McCarty
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10/29/2014
well i wondered why most all the pictures taken during this time everone had long faces
Photo of Bobbie Sarhegyi Bobbie Sarhegyi
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10/29/2014
Wow! There last name, must have been grumpy! Lol
Photo of Aaron Aand Tasha Aaron Aand Tasha
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10/29/2014
You couldn't smile for pictures in those days ... it took too long to take the picture ... that is why nobody is smiling in old photos ...
Photo of George Mcginlay George Mcginlay
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10/29/2014
Photo of Tina Rich Miller Tina Rich Miller
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10/29/2014
Life was hard and harsh back then. I could just imagine them saying "I have work to do and now I have to sit here for this picture"
Photo of Brenda Spaude Brenda Spaude
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10/29/2014
They were never very happy in there photo's.
Photo of Ericka Robinson Gillis Ericka Robinson Gillis
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10/29/2014
I can't help but notice the holes in their clothes and no shoes on the children. You know they wore their best clothes for such an occasion and it really brings home how hard the times were for them. They were true hero's back then just for being able to live and provide for their families. Many people of today wouldn't last a month if we were picked up and sat down in their time and shoes. Me included I'm sure. We owe a lot to these people who carved out our country and I'm honored to look at their pictures from so long ago.
Photo of Jody Sims Jody Sims
via Facebook
10/29/2014
You put it into words so well. What a hard life.
Photo of Ericka Robinson Gillis Ericka Robinson Gillis
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Thank you honey! Very hard life indeed.
Photo of Sergio Nunes Sergio Nunes
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10/29/2014
Bravo, miss
Photo of Carolyn Machost Simmons Carolyn Machost Simmons
via Facebook
10/29/2014
It is possible that this was damage to the photo, but yes, the dirt farmers of the south were still feeling the effects of the Civil War in the 1890's.
Photo of Gayle Williams Gayle Williams
via Facebook
10/30/2014
Photographers used to go door to door offering to take photos for a small fee. Often the family didn't have time to prepare their sunday best and were tired. This poor woman looks like she had to take care of every one....
Photo of Barb Davis Vinard Gunyon Barb Davis Vinard Gunyon
via Facebook
10/30/2014
during this time there were two classes, poor, or rich. no middle class, from what i've read.
Photo of Barb Davis Vinard Gunyon Barb Davis Vinard Gunyon
via Facebook
10/30/2014
I was born during depression, 1938, and my parents had it hard. but i think it was worse after the civil war.
Photo of Linda Haydell Linda Haydell
via Facebook
10/30/2014
you said it so much better than I ever could, Ericka. All the modern appliances we have today ( dishwasher, washer and dryer) and we still complain how we have no time. How many of us could manage like they did? God bless them!
Photo of Ericka Robinson Gillis Ericka Robinson Gillis
via Facebook
10/31/2014
It would have been such a chore to do anything back then that sometimes when I get frustrated with my hectic life I actually think of these tired souls and what hard really was. They lived it. But what always grabs me by the heart when I think about life back then is all the deaths they had to face. People got sick...and they died. It was a part of life and a lot of that death was children. As a mother myself its hard to imagine everything they must have endured every time a baby sneezed or a loved one coughed. Fear that it could turn deadly and no medicine to give them! How scary and sad to have to think about much less face everyday. I respect these people so much.
Photo of Irene Fuson Irene Fuson
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Happy bunch.
Photo of Allison Robbins Allison Robbins
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Not an easy life they had but now it makes more sense why so many old photos have ppl not smiling, as the photographers have explained. I still would prefer these photos over some of the narcissistic selfies that some ppl take.
Photo of Rea Rea Bo'Beah Rea Rea Bo'Beah
via Facebook
10/29/2014
The older dude is smiling :)
Photo of Gwen Moyle Gwen Moyle
via Facebook
10/29/2014
No love there. Is there. Wow
Photo of Christen Davidson Miller Christen Davidson Miller
via Facebook
10/29/2014
It almost looks like a death portrait of the mother. Great dress though.
Photo of Judith Rodrigue-Johnson Judith Rodrigue-Johnson
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Thank you Sandy, I have none of your qualifications, and even I KNEW that! I see so many people posting things about them not smiling. Try to hold a smile that long-even 1 minute! I am an amateur genealogist, VERY amateur, even after 12 years, and I have been able to find professional photos of many of my husband's family dating back to mid 1800's. Not even 1 was smiling-except for one family shot and the baby didn't know any better and had a little smile-can't imagine how she held it for that long!LOL I think it's hard even to have a relaxed face for too long.
Photo of Deb Young-Hager Deb Young-Hager
via Facebook
10/29/2014
He face looks bruised and swollen!
Photo of Deb Young-Hager Deb Young-Hager
via Facebook
10/29/2014
*her* face
Photo of Denise Barrett Denise Barrett
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Would love to know there story behind the sad faces
Photo of Katherine R. Weinmann Katherine R. Weinmann
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Dang !!! :D
Photo of Jennifer Tice Jennifer Tice
via Facebook
10/29/2014
The camera that was used was most likely an 8x10 view camera which requires a long exposure time. If they smiled the chances are the photographs would appear blurred because of any movement. It too hard to maintain a steady smile. Life was hard, still is, but now we smile. I love studying these pictures.
Photo of PennyJane Taylor PennyJane Taylor
via Facebook
10/29/2014
This is what a relative wrote on an old family photo that I posted. Someone made a comment about how serious everyone looked and he explained ... " Camera's took long exposures so folks had to remain very still. A smile would have turned to a grimace by the time the photographer was finished. That's why pictures of horses often have blurred heads because they moved when everyone around them remained still / rigid." ... enjoying your site.
Photo of Lynn Knockel Lynn Knockel
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Cute photo
Photo of Rubin Canchola Rubin Canchola
via Facebook
10/29/2014
SCARY
Photo of Nancy Carroll Nancy Carroll
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Sweet mother of pearl! I hope they weren't as miserable as they look.
Photo of Ruth Crook Ruth Crook
via Facebook
10/29/2014
When I blew up the photo it looked like the lady's husband had used her for a punching bag recently. In addition to her chin looking swollen it looks like she has bruises as well. That might have something to do with her unhappy look.
Photo of Juliana Corral Juliana Corral
via Facebook
10/29/2014
I noticed too :@
Photo of Brenda K Bickel Brenda K Bickel
via Facebook
07/21/2015
maybe the wife was helping with chores....maybe behind the plow horses, & they were 'spooked'...pulling & dragging the 'misses' across a hard, bumpy ground, face first.... js'ing that you never know, she may have made the hubby a nice punching bag too!!
Photo of Susan Jacobsen Susan Jacobsen
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Sheesh!!!!
Photo of Lara Moeller Lara Moeller
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Love it!
Photo of Debbie Kempton Debbie Kempton
via Facebook
10/29/2014
I have never seen a photo from back then where anyone was smiling.
Photo of Jean Brady Jean Brady
via Facebook
10/29/2014
o dear
Photo of Diane Gow Diane Gow
via Facebook
10/29/2014
It does look like a memento mori photograph. Usually the dark colouring in the hands is an indication that the person is dead. Not saying this is one, but it could be mistaken for one.
Photo of Renay Krup Renay Krup
via Facebook
10/29/2014
just one big happy family!
Photo of Helen Burton Hughes Helen Burton Hughes
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Wow that's awesome! Guess that they had nothing to smile about then!
Photo of Annaliza Deeds Annaliza Deeds
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Back then there really nothin to smile bout
Photo of Annaka Logan Annaka Logan
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Great shot
Photo of Karen Musgrove Karen Musgrove
via Facebook
10/29/2014
You know, that is how the took pics back then. No smiles at all. I enjoyed reading Ericka Robinson Gillis, posting. So true.
Photo of Alex G Glasser Alex G Glasser
via Facebook
10/29/2014
They look pissed about somethin'
Photo of Alex G Glasser Alex G Glasser
via Facebook
10/29/2014
I'am missin' a tooth and still make a pretty picture...hee haw.
Photo of Vickie Wilkerson Vickie Wilkerson
via Facebook
10/29/2014
I have tons of ole' photo's just like this with no smiles and was told the same thing that Sandy and Mary said.
Photo of Diana Belzunce Diana Belzunce
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Que maravilla....!!!! Es emocionante mirar esas personas tan antiguas y tan bellas..... Disfruto mucho sus rostros y vestimentas. Muchas gracias.
Photo of Lourdes Perez Torres Lourdes Perez Torres
via Facebook
10/29/2014
They were freaked out by the camera!!!!
Photo of Sergio Nunes Sergio Nunes
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Families had a hard time... Today some groups say that all white people were rich and exploitative, and must compensate the other for having privileges in the past.
Photo of Mark Graywolf Crook Mark Graywolf Crook
via Facebook
10/29/2014
My great grandfather, with my grandmother over his shoulder. 1915, Arkansas.
Photo of Treasure Di Battista Treasure Di Battista
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Happy lot. Maybe preparing for Halloween.
Photo of Sheri Herrick Sheri Herrick
via Facebook
10/29/2014
I study genealogy and this is very common in old pictures!!
Photo of Carolyn Machost Simmons Carolyn Machost Simmons
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Sheri Herrick, my first husband is a Herrick from Ohio, so my two sons are Herrick's, I am also into geneology but I haven't gotten back to Scotland yet. I got my ex's maternal Sullivan back to Scotland.
Photo of Sheri Herrick Sheri Herrick
via Facebook
10/29/2014
I have traced my family back to Scotland to 1056
Photo of Betsy Bobb Betsy Bobb
via Facebook
10/29/2014
yes, it took a long time to take the photos. So they didn't smile and went with a relaxed facial expression so they wouldn't suddenly move during the process. Atleast that is what my grandma told me.
Photo of Wanda White Wanda White
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Does the mother have a black eye and a swollen lip?
Photo of Ellen Mcdilda Ellen Mcdilda
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Yes she does and those kids look scared to death.
Photo of Melba Simmons Grayson Melba Simmons Grayson
via Facebook
10/29/2014
I still say the kids look scared. And the mama looks angry. Probably all the work in the house was being delayed, they did have to do so much in those days.
Photo of Suzi Jordan-Janecke Suzi Jordan-Janecke
via Facebook
10/29/2014
People have basically the same look around that time period. I've always wondered about that!
Photo of Dean Fredrickson Dean Fredrickson
via Facebook
10/29/2014
......the day before Mama went to prison.
Photo of Pam Brucker Pam Brucker
via Facebook
10/29/2014
God, what a hard life.
If you take a good look at the right side of her face, it looks as though she may have had Bell's Palsy.
Photo of Tamie Stanberry Ray Tamie Stanberry Ray
via Facebook
10/29/2014
They don't look happy.
Photo of James Gregg James Gregg
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Certainly a happy bunch !!!
Photo of Rhonda Gargus-Whitman Rhonda Gargus-Whitman
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Some purdy somber faces huh ?!!
Photo of Jane Jefferies Jane Jefferies
via Facebook
10/29/2014
happy bloomin lot aren't they..lol..lol..lol.
Photo of Ddottie Sutton Ddottie Sutton
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Lmao
Photo of Ryan Nicole Davis Ryan Nicole Davis
via Facebook
10/29/2014
She does look bruised & swollen.
The older man has a bit of a twinkle in his eye I always wonder how they could stop kids from smiling probably the amount of time they had to sit still did that
Photo of Helen Faulkner James Helen Faulkner James
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Don't think those were holes in their clothes but defects on the pictures because if you notice the "specks" are also on their hands and all over the picture.
Photo of Anneke Dubash Anneke Dubash
via Facebook
10/29/2014
More like complete mystification. People had no experience having their photo taken. They had no idea what the photographer was doing and the box he was working with could make your picture. Most had never seen a painting, let alone a photograph.
Photo of Trudi Ramey Trudi Ramey
via Facebook
10/29/2014
maybe sun was in their eyes
Photo of Luisa Duarte Luisa Duarte
via Facebook
10/29/2014
in fact... :))
Photo of Clyde Jackson Clyde Jackson
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Look.No.Ring's..
Photo of Clyde Jackson Clyde Jackson
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Must.Be.Poor.
Photo of Susanne Zimmer Basque Susanne Zimmer Basque
via Facebook
10/29/2014
I know they had to stay still, but they are scowling.
Photo of Sheri Herrick Sheri Herrick
via Facebook
10/29/2014
My husband assumed his stepfather's last name of Herrick. He is not related to any of the Herrick that we are aware of! Sorry!
Photo of Jennifer Stidham Jennifer Stidham
via Facebook
10/29/2014
It looks as if their on hard times, bless their hearts.
Photo of Dianne Boomer Dianne Boomer
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Someone informed me recently that people didn't smile for the camera because it took so long for the exposures.
Photo of Brenda Hopkins Brenda Hopkins
via Facebook
10/29/2014
I don't think they are happy.
Photo of Brenda Hopkins Brenda Hopkins
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Yes,most have somber faces.
Photo of Lori Michelle Lori Michelle
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Cathy Fancher Davis
Photo of Ilien Johnson Ilien Johnson
via Facebook
10/29/2014
They all look so sad!
Photo of Nancy Nesbitt Johnson Nancy Nesbitt Johnson
via Facebook
10/29/2014
I am guessing the little girl started wiggling and the daddy smacked her or yelled at her. He looks mad and the girl looks scared and the mother looks helpless and grandpa is grinning.
Photo of Jo Prentice Jo Prentice
via Facebook
10/29/2014
creepy !
Photo of Christine A. Human Christine A. Human
via Facebook
10/29/2014
They looked so miserable and the woman looks like she was abused.A sad lot.
Photo of Victoria Carter Victoria Carter
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Also...I think they were just plain worn out tired
Photo of Tess Stamell Tess Stamell
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Okay, we know that in those days people didn't smile because of the time exposure of the shot, but There Is something More in this portrait . The woman has Her hair so Tightly pulled back it indicates a Very Stressful life and I am Not just talking about hard work ! She looks like someone has just given her a Flat Swollen Lip. Her shoulders are slightly Hunched, her hands are Obedient, her head is Stooped as if Fearful, she is some what Cringing and her Eyes reek of Abuse. The woman's whole Demeanor indicates that she is Controlled and has No Rights. What is the age difference between the woman and the said husband, twenty years perhaps ? I am reading him as 48-50 years of age. She would have been a Very, Very young bride ... if she is the mother ?
Sydney 2014
Photo of Lynn Amick Lynn Amick
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Notice how they never smile in the old pictures.
Photo of Bill Blackford Bill Blackford
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Why no smile? 1897 in Mississippi. That's why. It was a hard life back then.
Photo of Ellen Bernardino Ellen Bernardino
via Facebook
10/29/2014
LOL! A question to ponder, Lisa! Perhaps shortly after the invention of the automatic clothes washer?!? :)
Photo of Victoria Place Kern Victoria Place Kern
via Facebook
10/29/2014
I'm sure if I had to wait that long for a photo I wouldn't smile either. Also, times were so different....they had hard lives.
Photo of Janis Hurd Twilley Janis Hurd Twilley
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Nobody is happy in that picture.
Photo of Penne Powers Thomas Penne Powers Thomas
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Did the photographer say...all right everyone give me your best pissed off look, except you grandpa can just be yourself!
Photo of Nancy W Thompson Nancy W Thompson
via Facebook
10/29/2014
SANDY SAHAGIAN, I have been looking a picture of great grandfather that was in the civil war,as i was reading you were 3 generation. daniel wallace was his name, 1821-1903. A BRICK WALL FOR ME. thanks for your time
Photo of Hope Adkins Hope Adkins
via Facebook
10/29/2014
No because of the amount of time the actual photos took to expose to the large plate sometimes people had to sit for extensive amounts of time. Most people in photos or paintings never smile because they were pissed off from having it take so long. Especially if they had to count every minute as money lost.
Photo of Linda Bowers Linda Bowers
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Looks like they are waiting at the dental office.
Photo of Betty LaMont Betty LaMont
via Facebook
10/29/2014
🎃
Photo of Carole Mullins Beirne-Booth Carole Mullins Beirne-Booth
via Facebook
10/29/2014
They all look alike!
Photo of Frances Norton Frances Norton
via Facebook
10/29/2014
John that the way it was I remember my uncle taking pictures and saying don't move and we would stand like we were stach
Photo of John Skigor John Skigor
via Facebook
10/29/2014
A really happy bunch eh
Photo of Stephanie Tinney Langston Stephanie Tinney Langston
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Looks like"take the picture already".
Photo of Cathy Toppel Scott Cathy Toppel Scott
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Haha
Photo of Debi Hockaday Debi Hockaday
via Facebook
10/29/2014
They were tired and hungry
Photo of Leigh Hammond Willmon Leigh Hammond Willmon
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Think they looked like this cause they weren't in TEXAS?
Photo of Little Sparrow Calhoun Little Sparrow Calhoun
via Facebook
10/29/2014
"All of us would like to kill you... except for Grandpa-- he's just chillin'."
Photo of Alicia Kittelson Alicia Kittelson
via Facebook
10/29/2014
The women looks miserable and the children look terrified....
Photo of Liliana Barake Liliana Barake
via Facebook
10/29/2014
It was not easy life especially for women and especially children. The mortality rate for children before the age of 10 was high.
Photo of Dean Rod Dean Rod
via Facebook
10/29/2014
The original Honey Boo Boo clan.
Photo of David Maple David Maple
via Facebook
10/29/2014
They hadn't invented "Say Cheese" yet.......................
Photo of Dinah Wills Dinah Wills
via Facebook
10/29/2014
guess they didnt know the word "CHEESE"
Photo of Lanette London Lanette London
via Facebook
10/29/2014
I like her dress
Photo of Adelka Aďka Kráľová Adelka Aďka Kráľová
via Facebook
10/30/2014
they werent happy at all
Photo of Freethinker Kirxton Freethinker Kirxton
via Facebook
10/30/2014
Generally a calm, solemn expression makes for a dignified work, as has constantly been portrayed throughout art history....even centuries before the first photograph was taken.
Photo of Brenda McManus Brenda McManus
via Facebook
10/30/2014
I reckon they had pretty miserable and hard lives back then trying to have enough to eat, let alone clothe themselve.s
Photo of Chuck Peek Chuck Peek
via Facebook
10/30/2014
Looks like they just won a trip to Disneyland, and they wanted to go to Wally World!!☺
Photo of Mary Crestani Silantyev Mary Crestani Silantyev
via Facebook
10/30/2014
Sorry to disagree but I don't think if looks could kill is accurate I think they are dirt poor and have nothing to smile about.
Photo of Victoria Dumond Victoria Dumond
via Facebook
10/30/2014
Lol
Photo of Charlene Feiner Charlene Feiner
via Facebook
10/30/2014
Love this photo
Photo of Richard Myers Richard Myers
via Facebook
10/30/2014
Wonder if they are related to me? 😄
Photo of Jennifer Drake Jennifer Drake
via Facebook
10/30/2014
They probably lived in abject poverty. I enjoy the photos.
I am searching for the origins of the surname Cossari
Photo of Jasna Stipetic Jasna Stipetic
via Facebook
10/30/2014
Happy family :-):-)
Photo of Lucia Primucci Lucia Primucci
via Facebook
10/30/2014
Mi fa pensare padre padrone
Photo of David Hight David Hight
via Facebook
10/30/2014
Outhouses will do this to you.
Photo of Maria Luz Operario Aung-Thwin Maria Luz Operario Aung-Thwin
via Facebook
10/30/2014
Life was hard then. Is that a reason to smile?
Photo of Sloane Smith Henderson Sloane Smith Henderson
via Facebook
10/30/2014
I believe the lady has a tooth ache ,her husband hit her,or she has a tumor in her mouth.
Photo of Melisa D Powers Melisa D Powers
via Facebook
10/30/2014
I so luv old photos...
Photo of Helen A. Johns Linker Helen A. Johns Linker
via Facebook
10/30/2014
They had hard lives then, it was expensive to get your photo taken, by those standards then.
Photo of Jeffrie Griffith Jeffrie Griffith
via Facebook
10/30/2014
Tough day
Photo of Gina Cerniglia Gina Cerniglia
via Facebook
10/30/2014
"remember, don't smile or that camera thingy will steal yer soul!!"
Photo of Gina Cerniglia Gina Cerniglia
via Facebook
10/30/2014
that is definitely the mother of those kids... same mouth hahaha
Photo of Dan Corier Dan Corier
via Facebook
10/30/2014
Perhaps someone farted prior to the shutter being snapped........... I mean it could've happened!!!!!!
Photo of Tom Berentsen Tom Berentsen
via Facebook
10/30/2014
Not very happy
Photo of Pamela Rettig Dubbs Pamela Rettig Dubbs
via Facebook
10/30/2014
I have a similar photo of my great great grandparents...Solemn and almost mean looking....
Photo of Bette Levering Parnell Farrer Bette Levering Parnell Farrer
via Facebook
10/30/2014
Oh my.
Was Joseph any relation to William R. Myers in Texas?
Photo of Vanessa Upton Vanessa Upton
via Facebook
10/30/2014
love this pic!!
Photo of Lori Reams Lori Reams
via Facebook
10/30/2014
My great Uncle John was a photographer in those days. He lived to be100 yrs. old. Many of his glass plate negetives, camers, etc. were all very well presurved and in pristine condition. One thing I remember seeing was several metal rod like pieces with cross piece near the top, or curved metal brackett at top. Reminded me of a porcelain doll stand. These were placed down the back, under jacket or shawl or whatever, and craddled head to keep person being photogrphed from moving head side to side, or moving period. I am sure that added to the already unpleasant situation.
Photo of Patrick Harlow Patrick Harlow
via Facebook
10/30/2014
git off our land!!
Photo of Ninon Nickerson Ninon Nickerson
via Facebook
10/30/2014
First clue...Mississippi....and women and children were still considered property. Women were owned by men like cows until 1894 (didn't change right away). They were considered the same as slaves. It lasted in Kentucky until 1890. Life was not easy in many ways back then either and many children did not live to adulthood and women often didn't survive child birth.
You have no clue and are undoubtedly stupid. Bigot.
Photo of Ninon Nickerson Ninon Nickerson
via Facebook
11/05/2014
Lol! Okay! I can tell by your skills in communicating you are highly intelligent.
Photo of Ginny Kineston Ginny Kineston
via Facebook
10/30/2014
Why is it that every old pic you see from that period looks like they are about to kill you. I have the Time Life series of the old west & all of the pics resemble those faces. Must not have been a very pleasant time.
Photo of Carolyn Ruth Canchalla-Larson Carolyn Ruth Canchalla-Larson
via Facebook
10/30/2014
Looks like hard life. Very sad.
Photo of Margaret Donnelly Evans Margaret Donnelly Evans
via Facebook
10/30/2014
My goodness, such an unhappy group!!!
Photo of Pat Taylor Pat Taylor
via Facebook
10/30/2014
That and it took a while to take the picture!! Loved them though... better then nothing!!!
Photo of Mary Harriman Mary Harriman
via Facebook
10/30/2014
Woof!
Photo of Connie C Morgan Connie C Morgan
via Facebook
10/30/2014
Poor old things. It must've scared them to death back then to have their picture(s) taken. Hardly any of the old pictures show anyone smiling.
Photo of Debbie Parks Debbie Parks
via Facebook
10/30/2014
Are they part of your family
Photo of Barb Davis Vinard Gunyon Barb Davis Vinard Gunyon
via Facebook
10/30/2014
looks like a very unhappy family!
Photo of Allison Dickey Allison Dickey
via Facebook
10/30/2014
It was sinful to be happy and smile. Life was a serious business. Happiness was like idle hands. Or was that only a Scandinavian theory?
Photo of Claire Ostean Claire Ostean
via Facebook
10/30/2014
I have heard people did not want to seem silly or frivolous in pictures for future generations to see.They nailed it
Photo of Margie Haralson Margie Haralson
via Facebook
10/30/2014
Donna Myers
Photo of Kristen Veronica O'Neill-Harris Kristen Veronica O'Neill-Harris
via Facebook
10/31/2014
Beans fer dinner again Mama?
Photo of Kristen Veronica O'Neill-Harris Kristen Veronica O'Neill-Harris
via Facebook
10/31/2014
Mostly it was the photography itself. If you did not sit still without movement the pic would turn out blurry.
Photo of Tina Darling Tina Darling
via Facebook
10/31/2014
People were scary looking back then. Almost creepy
Photo of John Hargrave John Hargrave
via Facebook
10/31/2014
They aren't to happy
Photo of James Osborne James Osborne
via Facebook
10/31/2014
is the bloke in the middle molesting the boy in front????
Photo of Lawrence Perry Lawrence Perry
via Facebook
10/31/2014
Grandpa looks happy !
Photo of Suzanne Bryan Suzanne Bryan
via Facebook
10/31/2014
Love these old time sepia tone pics I have one of my granfather when he was a boy with his sister, one of his brothers, his dad and mom, my granddfather has his dog in the pic with him and his sister has her cat. I just treasure that pic.
Photo of Jennie SA Jennie SA
via Facebook
10/31/2014
They never smiled in those years of photography
Photo of Jordan Nicole Chapman Jordan Nicole Chapman
via Facebook
10/31/2014
Is this a postmortem photo? The mother looks off, she face drooping maybe she is passed and held up by a device behind her. that would explain a lot I think...
Photo of Steven Ockers Steven Ockers
via Facebook
10/31/2014
Is that Roo Morrison on the end?
Photo of Bobbie Taylor Bobbie Taylor
via Facebook
11/01/2014
wonderful picture and a little piece of time
Photo of Brian Kokernot Brian Kokernot
via Facebook
11/02/2014
God, your so right on M.
You are a bunch of jump to conclusions idiots. My family has been in Mississippi for 150 years. None of the women have ever been beat, belonged to the KKK or any thing like that. Talk about bigots. Have you ever heard of poor? Have you ever heard of abscessed tooth? If you don't know the story behind a photo you should keep your comments to yourself.
Thank you, Annelle. God Bless.
The gentleman on the right is Francis Joel Myers, my 4x Great Grandfather. He immigrated to America from Germany as a young man in the early 1800's, married and had children here. The other man in the photo is his son, the brother to my 3x Great Grandfather.

What we know about the Myers is that they were poor and worked very hard as farmers and ranchers, surviving off the produce of their land.

Times were hard back then, both Francis Joel and his sons survived and fought in the Civil War, and of course, life in the south after the war was harsh. It took years for families to rebuild and begin to prosper again.

The grandson of Francis Joel Myers, Walter Daniel Myers, my Great-Great Grandfather, owned a small country grocery store in Mississippi and was also the local postmaster. While I did not know the people in the picture personally, I did know people who did, or who heard first hand about them. I know for a fact that my paternal grandfather, born and raised in Mississippi, was taught from birth to be a southern gentleman, and he in turn taught that to me.

To this day, I open doors for my wife, and pull her chair out for her at restaurants to help her be seated. We were all taught southern gentleman ways and I have never apologized for being that way. Never did I hear of my grandfather, or his father abusing their wife.

To the people who posted disrespectful comments, think how you would feel if others posted similar comments about your ancestors and their families. It is just plain disrespectful.

Well wishes to all, be well, be happy, and be good to others, especially those you love, for life is very sweet, but also very very short. There is no time for being unkind.
Photo of Rita Crawford Rita Crawford
via Facebook
11/14/2014
What a happy lot
Photo of Ann Glover Ann Glover
via Facebook
02/02/2015
Grandpa has a kindly look on his face.
Photo of Kathy-Anne Whitehouse Kathy-Anne Whitehouse
via Facebook
04/09/2015
I get an uncomfortable feeling from this photo...dont think all the unhappiness is a sign of the times either...
Perhaps in the year when my grandmother was born
Photo of Kathryn Rockhill Kathryn Rockhill
via Facebook
06/11/2015
Doesn't look like a happy family.
Photo of Patricia Stewart Starr Patricia Stewart Starr
via Facebook
11/05/2015
Well said, Ericka .
Photo of Eve Sabary Eve Sabary
via Facebook
10/29/2014
oh I didn't think of that, you're right :-)
Photo of Maureen Nolan Maureen Nolan
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Poor Family sitting still for 10 mins....The lady is wearing a pretty dress.A nice family...
Photo of Bill Blackford Bill Blackford
via Facebook
10/29/2014
1897. Possibly first experience with photography. Maybe they didn't know you were supposed to smile.
Photo of Rod Warren Rod Warren
via Facebook
10/29/2014
Mary, thats not correct. Sandy's input is correct.
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Gary Gray
Gary Eugene Gray was born in northwest Louisiana to parents Ronald Eugene Gray and Melba Dean Tubbs Gray in northwest Louisiana. He has a keen interest in genealogy for the sake of preserving his family history not only for the present day family members, but future generations as well. You can find him on WikiTree, a free and open community of genealogy enthusiasts and also for all to enjoy free of charge. Gary is a graduate of the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin and he is also a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the State of Texas. Gary is married to Paula and they have one son, Connor. Together, they have a happy life. Gary's interests are his family and volunteering at his son's sporting events, science, history, politics, economics, business, sailing, flying, baroque classical music as well as ancient music, writing, genealogy, roller coasters, jet ski's, and just about anything that is fast and thrilling. During the early 1980's, Gary enjoyed skydiving, having made 217 jumps, with most of those being long duration free-fall.
I found that I am related to several famous people including famous singers, business people as well as state and national politicians. Additionally, I am related to famous people of the past including famous scientists and a famous fighter at the battle of the Alamo. The link to famous people runs through my paternal as well as maternal lines. Very exciting.
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