For many of the prompt images for Sepia Saturday, I see the image and immediately think of a photo that fits. This one was a little more difficult. I have no artists like Eveline Maydell in my tree (that I know of) and no photos that jumped out at me as having the same feel. The one below kind of came close to the feel of the photo, even though mine is a perfectly posed family photo. It’s a bit of a departure from the prompt image, but it’s still Sepia and Saturday!
The image is just about an 8×10, mounted on heavy boad with the photographer’s studio name embossed in gold, “Lipp Studio,” in Philadelphia, PA. The studio doesn’t exist anymore, but even without that hint, my great grandma Olga labelled the photo, “Mother’s sister, husband, Maurice & Gordon, Shugg Family.” Bessie looked much the same throughout her life, so it’s been pretty easy to pick out photos that she’s in anyway, and this is no exception. Bessie Battin was born in Lawhitton, Cornwall, England in 1870. After marrying Arnold Shugg in 1900, she came to the US with her husband and two children in 1911, almost 20 years after her sister (my 2nd great grandmother Jessie) arrived. They settled in Philadelphia, PA about a 5 hour drive away from where Jessie and her family lived. The sisters appeared to have kept in close contact, exchanging photos over the years, and Jessie’s daughter Olga even visited Philadelphia to see Maurice Shugg and his wife, Mildred Pruden. Marurice (the older boy in the photo) and Mildred never had children, but Gordon (the younger boy) had a child, Mary, who married Joseph Delphidio. I don’t have a lot of information on the descendants of Bessie and Arnold, but I apparently have a few fourth cousins floating around somewhere, related via Bessie.
As for the book Bessie is holding, all I can make out is that it says, “Record,” on the front and is very well worn. As far as a date goes, Gordon was born in 1905, and they arrived in 1911, so something like 1915 sounds about right. If you happen to stumble across this photo and are related to the Shugg family, please get in touch!
Great photo and the lady has a very similar appearance to the lady in the prompt.
A nice Sepia photo of family. I can’t help wishing, however, when looking at the old photos, that the subjects would suddenly burst into smiles and mischievous grins. The old photos are wonderful to have, but how much more of their personalities would slip through if only they could smile instead of having to hold such serious poses. Thank goodness for modern cameras.
A very handsome family portrait. The magazine Bessie is holding may be connected to the Philadelphia Record which was a daily newspaper from 1877 to 1947.
That is interesting that the book says “Record” on the cover. A mystery I’d love to have solved. What was it about that book that made them want to include it in their portrait? Very interesting.
I’m always grateful when an ancestor is easy to spot in photos because he or she looked the same over the years. I like the boys’ collars and matching ties, and the way the younger boy has linked arms with his dad. A lovely photo. I hope it attracts some cousins for you.
They do look a little sombre but it’s nice to see the younger boy linking his arm through his Dad’s.
I was going to say the same as Wendy and Little Nell – I love the linked arms. Well done Mike – that sounds sensible.