Ganfield Photo Album

Ganfield – Walker – Killius

These pictures are included in the photo album I purchased over E-bay in late September. As I explained to several Ganfield family members, I acquired this as part of on-going research into dating old photos.

I have conveyed to several family members of my willingness to return this to the family shortly. I should be finished recording what I need by the middle of October.

Until then, enjoy these pictures. The album and photos are truly gems, and the family is lucky to have so many of them available.

The album is in very brittle shape, although mostly intact. I have removed all the pictures, while noting where they were, for scanning and examination of their backs. My recommendation is to leave them out of the album, for each handling of the album causes a little more damage.

Most of the pictures had a notation on the page about the subject, BUT, nearly all of them are illegible. However, some are identifiable, and maybe some family members more familiar with the names may be able to recognize a name. This is like a detective story.

Only a couple of photos had notations directly on them. A couple of reproductions were included with the album.

For tracking purposes, I identify each photo with a number that corresponds with the page it was mounted in the album. This will help further research.

However, some of the pictures I'm sure, have been rearranged, and were not in pages that the notation matched. I will cover those cases individually.

The album contained:

37 Total Photos
27 Tintype
9 Cartes de Visite
1 Oddball
2 Modern copies of tintypes

Many of the tintypes were 1/16 Plates, approximately 1.25" x 1.5" Most of these were placed in CDV sleeves as this was the common way to store and display the tintypes. There are numerous 1/6 Plates (2.5" x 4") that were loosely placed in the album.

The album is a Carte de Visite (CDV) album that had its origins probably in the late 1860s. Many like it are available on the market, but most have not survived the years well. Made from pressed cardboard and leather, they have dried out and become very brittle.

A little photographic history helps date the pictures. The tintype came into popularity during the Civil War for basically three reasons. There were cheap, durable, and easy to produce. The paper CDV arrived shortly thereafter and provided a better quality.

A good portion of the photos in the album are from the mid to late 1860s and early 1870s, both tintypes and CDVs.

I have tried to establish a date range for each of the photos. This has been done strictly from the technical analysis though. If the Ganfield family can help identify the people, taking into consideration their ages, a further narrowing of picture dates is probable.

I would like to work with the Ganfield/Walker/Killins people to establish as close as possible a date for each photo.

The Tintype survived production into the 1900s, but after the early 1870s it was basically a novelty or carnival type production.

Rebecca Walker Ganfield
1860? - Based on idea that she would have been 24 in the picture and the embossed sleeve this is in.

This picture was identified (by an accompany reproduction) as Rebecca Walker Ganfield. It is a 2.5" x 4" tintype in embossed CDV sleeve. (Page 11)

I organized the photos here in a manner in which I think they relate to each other. Their placement in the album was not always chronological or any other logical association. But laying them all out on a table, one could easily see the associations, including the fact that many were taken in one setting by looking at the background.

I have included my comments on some pictures so as to alert others as to ideas.

Each picture includes the Page number on which it was originally found.

Click on Each Picture For A Larger Version.

Robert Walker
1860? - Based on apparent age and embossed sleeve picture is in.

This photo was one of only two with identification actually on the photo. On the back is "R. Walker, father of Rebecca Walker Ganfield". Tintype in CDV sleeve embossed with "Lovwell, Dubuque", (Page 15)

I found some Ganfield genealogy on the web – www.parsonstech.com/genealogy/trees/chalfpop/d93.htm – and used some of these dates to help with photo dating. Confirmation of this information and additional data would be welcomed.

1860?

This was taken at same sitting as Rebecca and Robert Walker above. With very close examination, (using a printers loupe) it is clear they were all taken sitting on the same chair and arm rest. Also, the faint tinting of the checks is identical. This CDV sleeve is same as Robert Walkers. Did Rebecca have sisters? (Page 24)

Late 1860s - Early 1870s?

This and photo on right taken at same time. These were loose tintypes with no markings. She has the Walker look. (Page 34)

Late 1860 - Early 1870s

Taken with woman on left. (Page 35)

1860s

This picture and the one at right appear to be taken at the same time. The mounting is the same as is general picture setting and condition. Husband & wife? (Page 26) This picture has artwork on back of a New York photographer.

1860s

This woman and man on left appear taken at same time. Picture is definitely in the 1860s. (Page 44)

1860s

CDV with "H. Barner" written on front. Photo is 1860s due to style, card weight, and square corners of card. (Page 12)

1870?

This picture and the one at right appear to be taken at the same time. The setting, quality and condition of the tintypes is good evidence. (Page 7)

1870?

Even though the backdrops are different, these were just cloth drapes and the chairs were props. There were interchangeable. The girls are wearing nearly the identical dress, with only the collar different (Page 28) Were these taken same time as pages 34 & 35 above?

1870s?

This was identified as "A Eliza Ganfield".

Around 1872

I believe these photos are of the same family and were taken at the same time. The poses and backgrounds are all the same. They all have the exact same faint red tinting of the cheeks (Page 27)

Around 1872

I have an identical sleeve in my collection with a confirmed date of October, 1872. I believe these are parents with two children at right. (Page 47)

Around 1872

This boy looks a lot like the guy on the left - his father?. (Page 21)

Around 1872

This girl and the first woman have a broach at the neck that has been tinted gold. (Page 33)

More pictures will be added daily.