Our Ancestors
These are pictures of Petrolians by local photographers and show people in their life roles and how they looked . Most of these photos are from my own collection of hundreds of cabinet photos and on the 'Groups and Others ' page my oldest a ca.1840s Daguerreo Type. I have lots more and will add them from time to time. I get many Emails and comments on the street about these pics but none more than the Post Mortem on this page. I have included some links to sites where there is more on this interesting subject. Not all aspects of history are understood by today's standards and certainly the use of Post Mortem photographs is no exception. I am very happy to present this very important piece of my collection and have had a few very interesting offers to buy it from collectors. Some folks have found this photo disturbing but it is apart of our history and it is by Robson.
Andrew Hackett editor's collection |
Mary Josephine Deacon This is my Great Gramma, from Eureka st. She lived there from ca.1907till she died at 101 in ca.1992. This is her wedding outfit and in this pic she is 16. Thanx to Mary Ann from Clouse photo for enhancing this pic. editor's collection |
Unknown ca. 1880s or early 90s editor's collection |
Welsh Margaret Rose in her wedding dress age14 |
Late ca.1880s just Mom & kids signed Robson editor's collection |
Welsh Rose Family BackRow-Ena, George, Margaret, Jessi, Alec, EmmaJean, MiddleRow-Nettie{Netalia Oscaleta}, Bill, Margaret Rose, Edward, AuntPop, FrontRow-Ella |
Chief Jackson a very colorful character around Petrolia . editor's collection
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This a very large photo that I bought many years ago at the Arnold Thompson estate auction. It reads Mrs E. Thompson on the back with no date. The photo is ca.1899. Mr Thompson was a Petrolia Oil man. Photo is 22" high with the original bubble glass fancy frame. I have included the pic because it is very nice and this page needed some color editor's collection
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editor's collection This is a Petrolia post mortem photo by Robson . It was extremely expensive to have a photo taken during Victorian times. Only the wealthy could afford such a luxury. If a child or other loved one died it was a common practice to have a photo taken either alone or as in this case with the family especially if there was not yet a living likeness.If you look closely you can see a base behind the girls feet and a post would go up from that with clamps at the waist and neck and the clothing would be open at the back. The arms would have stiff wires running at the back to hold them in place. Also notice the strange placement of the hands. The pupils are painted on the closed eyelids. It was not until after ca.1900 with Mr. Eastman's film process that photography became available inexpensively, as we know it today. Post mortems were very common in Victorian times and if you look closely at portraits from pre ca.1900 you may have one of these photos. This photo ca.1888 
editor's collection Some have said that the girl on the right is a post mortem or are they both just girls with odd eyes? |
editor's collection This is a cabinet photo from ca.1888-92. An elegant pose to show her hour glass figure and notice that she has her dance card tied to her right wrist.This is probably my best CAB photo and present it for your enjoyment. It is the most requested pic and is not for sale. Notice the pic above for a similar dance card. This had to be considered before dancing with a gentleman. |
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Clements A stylish family by Cooper. The name handwritten on the back is Whittakers |
If you would like to become a contributor, I just need a few minutes to scan what you have,or send text
Email Martin at martyd@ebtech.net