Tintype Photo: Woman in a Striped Dress (1894 - 1897)

This portrait of a woman in a striped dress is a tintype photograph and is one of the oldest photographs in the collection. It was previously believed there were few photographs available from this side of the family. This tintype and several others were located earlier this year in the photo collection of Frances Philomena Selker. 

To view the other tintype photographs visit the blog posts: 

• Tintype Photo: Guth Family Portrait (1884 - 1886)
• Tintype Photo: Portrait of a Child (1870's) 
• Tintype Photo: Wedding of Joseph William Selker & Frances Philomena Guth (1890) 
• Tintype Photo: Frances Philomena Guth & Theresa Loll (1884 - 1886)

After locating the tintypes I engaged Gary Clark from PhotoTree.com to assist me. Gary is an expert in dating old photographs - tintypes being one of his specialties. He is estimated that this photograph was likely taken between 1894 and 1897. The wicker chair was not introduced until the 1890's. The dress style with the big sleeves and shoulders is also typical for mid 1890's fashion. Another clue is 'day' hat which was common in the 1890's.

Original Photograph with Digital Restoration

The identity of the individual is least certain in this tintype photograph. There are some other Guth family portraits which have been shared on Ancestry.com. The woman featured above bears a resemblance to a portrait of Susanna Otilda Guth. 

The photos of Susanna Otilda Guth shared on Ancestry.com show the natural frown which the woman in the tintype also has. The natural frown expression is also present in the photograph of the young girl believed to be Frances Philomena Guth. Susanna Otilda was the youngest daughter of Leopold Guth and Theresa Loll. She was born 6 April 1877 in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. Susanne Otilda Guth married Francis Gatesman. Frances Philomena Guth and Susanna Otilda Guth were sisters. The sisters' husbands were also business partners. 

Leopold Guth and Theresa Loll had another daughter, Theresia Guth, who was born 6 April 1869. Theresia does not appear in the 1880 United States Federal Census with her family. She would have been approximately 11 years old in 1880. Her death date is currently unknown. She may have been deceased if not recorded with her family in the 1880 census, 

This photograph would not be Frances Philomena Guth. There is a known photograph of Frances Philomena Guth taken between 1892 and 1896 with her husband Joseph William Selker. Of the immediate Guth family, children of Leopold Guth and Theresa Loll, Susanna Otilda is most likely to be pictured. If Susanna Otilda Guth is pictured in the photograph she would have been between 17 and 20. The woman pictured in this photograph appears to be in this age range. 

It is plausible that Frances Philomena Guth had a photograph of her sister. Frances Philmonea Guth also had copies of photographs of her parents. In time the photographs were handed down to her daughter Frances Philomena Selker. This could explain how this tintype photo was included with the others. 

The woman in the photograph is wearing a large broach that was made from multiple stones. Her hat is also very detailed with numerous flowers and a ribbon.

Close up of the Large Broach

Close up of the Hat. Note the Flowers and Ribbon.

Tintype photographs have a unique mirror-like finish. This particular tintype was hand tinted to add color to the faces. The surface of the original contains many scratches. Some of the damage was able to be removed during the digital restoration process. Due the amount of damage some of the scratches were unable to be corrected and can be observed in the whitish looking appearance on the photograph.

This tin type and several others were included in the Frances Philomena Selker Collection. Frances Philomena Guth appears to have ended up with these photographs. She passed the photographs down to her daughter Frances Philomena Selker. Frances' daughter Mary Eugina McDonald ended up with her mother's photo collections which is time were handed down to me. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

If the woman in the photograph is Susanna Otilda Guth, she would be my 3rd great aunt. Her sister Frances Philomena Guth, my 2nd great-grandmother, Frances Philomena Guth was the grandmother of Mary Eugenia McDonald my paternal grandmother. 

References:

1. William E. Loll, The Lolls, Book I (Fullerton, CA, )
2. Compiled by the History Committee of St. Joseph Parish, Lucinda, Pa., A Poud People A Proud Heritage (State College, PA, Josten Printing & Publishing, 1888), Genealogy Part II, Page 169, 
3. 1860 Untied States Federal Census. Year: 1860; Census Place: Clarion, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: M653_1095; Page: 68; Image: 72; Family History Library Film: 805095. Record for Leopold Guth. Lines 31 through 36. 
4. 1870 United States Federal Census. Year: 1870; Census Place: Clarion, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: M593_1326; Page: 400A; Image: 121; Family History Library Film: 552825. Record for Leopold Guth. Lines 23 through 33. 
5. 1880 Untied States Federal Census. Year: 1880; Census Place: Clarion, Clarion, Pennsylvania; Roll: 1117; Family History Film: 1255117; Page: 94B; Enumeration District: 066; Image: 0194. Record for Leopold Guth Lines 32 through 42.

Tintype Photo: Frances Philomena Guth & Theresa Loll (1884 - 1886)

This Guth family portrait is a tintype photograph and is one of the oldest photographs in the collection. It was previously believed there were few photographs available from this side of the family. This tintype and several others were located earlier this year in the photo collection of Frances Philomena Selker. It is simply remarkable these photographs have survived and that they are approximately 130 years old!

To view the other tintype photographs visit the blog posts:

• Tintype Photo: Guth Family Portrait (1884 - 1886)
• Tintype Photo: Portrait of a Child (1870's)
• Tintype Photo: Wedding of Joseph William Selker & Frances Philomena Guth (1890)

After locating the tintypes I engaged Gary Clark from PhotoTree.com to assist me. Gary is an expert in dating old photographs - tintypes being one of his specialties. He is estimated that the photograph was likely taken between 1884 and 1886. The studio props and background were typical for photographs taken in the mid 1880's. The ladies Victorian dress style with many button dates to the mid 1880's. His professional opinion was that this photograph was a family portrait of a mother with a daughter. There is a matching tintype to this one that also includes a man to view this photograph please visit the post Tintype Photo: Guth Family Portrait (1884 - 1886).

Original Photograph with digital restoration.

Armed with Gary's notes I went to work to estimate who the people were in this photograph. The original tin type is very dark. When I first lightened up the digital image it was very clear these people were related to my family. My paternal grandmother, Mary Eugina McDonald, bears a striking resemblance to the woman on the left. At this point I had a strong feeling this woman on the left was Frances Philomena Guth - her grandmother. The dates checked out and the woman resembled another photograph of Frances Philomena Guth that is from the mid 1890's. To view that photograph visit the blog post  Family Photo: Frances Philomena Guth and Joseph William Selker.

The ladies in the portrait are believed to be Frances Philomena Guth (L) with her mother Theresa Loll (R). Frances Philomena Guth would have been between 21 and 23 in this photograph. Her mother Theresa Loll would have been between 49 and 51 in this photograph.

The family was one of the prominent families in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania in the late 1800’s. Leopold Guth owned his own jewelry and watch making business. The family’s prominence is demonstrated by the clothing the ladies are wearing and because they could afford to have their photograph taken. Some other details are also present - Frances Philomena Guth is wearing drop style earrings which are less noticeable in the other tintype photograph. Some additional details are also present in the other tintype photograph -  a large ring and a large broach.

Frances Philomena Guth wearing Drop Earrings 

Tintype photographs have a unique mirror-like finish. This particular tintype was hand tinted to add color to the faces. The surface of the original contains many scratches. Some of the damage was able to be removed during the digital restoration process. Due the amount of damage some of the scratches were unable to be corrected and can be observed in the whitish looking appearance on the photograph.

This tin type and several others were included in the Frances Philomena Selker Collection. Frances Philomena Guth appears to have ended up with these photographs. She passed the photographs down to her daughter Frances Philomena Selker. Frances' daughter Mary Eugina McDonald ended up with her mother's photo collections which is time were handed down to me. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Theresa Loll is my 3rd great-grandmother. She is the mother of Frances Philomena Guth, my 2nd great-grandmother, Frances Philomena Guth was the grandmother of Mary Eugenia McDonald my paternal grandmother. 

Tintype Photo: Wedding of Joseph William Selker & Frances Philomena Guth (1890)

This individual portrait is a tintype photograph and is one of the oldest photographs in the photo collection. It is simply remarkable this photograph survived and that it is approximately 125 years old. It was previously believed there were few photographs available from this side of the family. This tintype and several others were located earlier this year in the photo collection of Frances Philomena Selker. To view the other tintype photographs visit the blog post Tintype Photo: Guth Family Portrait (1884 - 1886) and Tintype Photo: Portrait of a Child (1870's).

After locating the tintypes I engaged Gary Clark from PhotoTree.com to assist me. Gary is an expert in dating old photographs - tintypes being one of his specialties. He is estimated that the photograph was likely taken between 1886 and 1890. It was unusual for a formal portrait to appear on a tintype in the late 1880's or early 1890's. This indicated the photograph was likely taken in a rural location.  The clothing also points to pre-1890. The lady in the back has tighter sleeves and rounded shoulders on her dress. The shirts the men are wearing have upturned collars. 

Formal Portrait Likely featuring the
Wedding of Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth. 

This tintype is likely a photograph celebrating the wedding of Frances Philomena Guth and Joseph William Selker in November of 1890. While the clothing styles point to pre-1890 it is possible that in a rural city like Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania that people were not wearing the most up to date fashions featured in larger cities. It was also becoming uncommon for a tintype to be used to capture a formal portrait in the 1890's as the Cabinet Card was becoming more popular. The fact that this group portrait was taken as a tintype photograph also indicates that the photograph was likely taken in a more rural area.

Only a few of the individuals in the photograph are currently known. Frances Philomena Guth (back left) and Joseph William Selker (back right).  Other older portraits exist of Frances Philomena Guth and Joseph William Selker. The man on the back right is clearly a younger Joseph William. There is also a resemblance to Frances as well. Frances Philomena Guth would have been 27 in this photograph. Joseph William Selker would have been 25 in this photograph.

The three people in the front of the photograph, a woman, younger man and older man (far right). Are unknown. The other individuals are likely relatives of Frances Philomena Guth. Joseph William Selker was an immigrant and had no other family in the United States at the time of his wedding. The man on the far right bears a similar resemblance to other photographs of Frances Philomena Guth's brothers.

Frances was the daughter of Leopold Guth and Theresa Loll. The family was one of the prominent families in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania in the late 1800’s. Leopold Guth owned his own jewelry and watch making business. He handed his trade down to his son Anthony Charles Guth. Frances is wearing a large broach on the neckline of her dress which may have been made by her father or brother.

Close up of Frances Philomena Guth
Note the large broach at her neck.

Close up of Joseph William Selker

A closer look at the photograph also shows that Joseph William Selker is wearing a pocket watch and his suit jacket is made from a striped material.  

Tintype photographs have a unique mirror-like finish. This particular tintype has a black and white like appearance and does not contain any tinting. The surface of the original contains many scratches. Especially on the bottom section of the photograph making the details of the ladies dress difficult to see. This photograph was likely originally in a case as original also has trimmed corners and sections where the original mirror finish is damaged. 

Original Tintype before restoration. 

Some of the damage was able to be removed during the digital restoration process. Due the amount of damage some of the scratches were unable to be corrected and can be observed in the whitish looking appearance on the photograph.

This tin type and several others were included in the Frances Philomena Selker Collection. Frances Philomena Guth appears to have ended up with these photographs. She passed the photographs down to her daughter Frances Philomena Selker. Frances' daughter Mary Eugina McDonald ended up with her mother's photo collections which is time were handed down to me. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Joseph William Selker and Frances Philomena Guth are my 2nd great-grandparents. Their line extends through their daughter Frances Philomena Selker to my paternal grandmother Mary Eugenia McDonald. 

Tintype Photo: Portrait of a Child (1870's)

This individual portrait is a tintype photograph and is the oldest photograph in the entire photo collection. It is simply remarkable this photograph survived and that it is between 145 and 143 years old! It was previously believed there were few photographs available from this side of the family. This tintype and several others were located earlier this year in the photo collection of Frances Philomena Selker. To view another one of the tintype photographs visit the blog post Tintype Photo: Guth Family Portrait (1884 - 1886).

After locating the tintypes I engaged Gary Clark from PhotoTree.com to assist me. Gary is an expert in dating old photographs - tintypes being one of his specialties. He is estimated that the photograph was likely taken in the 1870's. The use of the fringe chair and the heavy lace collar were typical of the early 1870's. The dress the child is wearing also has frilly sleeves.

Original Tintype photograph with digital restoration

This tintype is likely a photograph of Frances Philomena Guth born 25 February 1863 in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania. The tintype was included in the photo collection of her daughter Frances Philomena Selker. The natural frown expression is a trait that has been passed down to various descendants (including myself).

Frances had two older sisters - Mary Ann Guth and Amelia Guth. In 1870 Mary Ann would have been 13 and Amelia would have been 12. The child included in the photo was younger appears to be younger than 12.  She also had a younger sister Theresia Guth who was born in 1869. If the photograph was taken in the early 1870's Frances would have been 7 or 8 years old and is the most likely candidate to be featured in the photograph.

Frances was the daughter of Leopold Guth and Theresa Loll. The family was one of the prominent families in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania in the late 1800’s. Leopold Guth owned his own jewelry and watch making business. The family’s prominence is demonstrated by the fact that photographs were taken and by the style of the clothing.

Tintype photographs have a unique mirror-like finish. This particular tintype is older than the others and has sepia like appearance. The surface of the original contains many scratches. Some of the damage was able to be removed during the digital restoration process. Due the amount of damage some of the scratches were unable to be corrected and can be observed in the whitish looking appearance on the photograph.

This tin type and several others were included in the Frances Philomena Selker Collection. Frances Philomena Guth appears to have ended up with these photographs. She passed the photographs down to her daughter Frances Philomena Selker. Frances' daughter Mary Eugina McDonald ended up with her mother's photo collections which is time were handed down to me. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Frances Philomena Guth is my 2nd great-grandmother. Her daughter Frances Philomena Selker married Loraine Anthony McDonald. Their daughter Mary Eugenia McDonald is my paternal grandmother. 

Tintype Photo: Guth Family Portrait (1884 - 1886)

This Guth family portrait is a tintype photograph and is one of the oldest photographs in the collection. It was previously believed there were few photographs available from this side of the family. This tintype and several others were located earlier this year in the photo collection of Frances Philomena Selker. It is simply remarkable these photographs have survived and that they are approximately 130 years old!

After locating the tintypes I engaged Gary Clark from PhotoTree.com to assist me. Gary is an expert in dating old photographs - tintypes being one of his specialties. He is estimated that the photograph was likely taken between 1884 and 1886. The studio props and background were typical for photographs taken in the mid 1880's. The ladies Victorian dress style with many button dates to the mid 1880's. The clothing of the man is typical for this era. His professional opinion was that this photograph was a family portrait of a mother with a daughter and a son.

Original Tintype photograph with digital restoration

Armed with Gary's notes I went to work to estimate who the people were in this photograph. The original tin type is very dark. When I first lightened up the digital image it was very clear these people were related to my family. My paternal grandmother, Mary Eugina McDonald, bears a striking resemblance to the woman on the left. At this point I had a strong feeling this woman on the left was Frances Philomena Guth - her grandmother. The dates checked out and the woman resembled another photograph of Frances Philomea Guth that is from the mid 1890's. To view that photograph visit the blog post  Family Photo: Frances Philomena Guth and Joseph William Selker. There are some other photographs of Frances Philomena Guth's brothers at Ancestry.com. The man in the photograph has similar features and a similar face shape to photographs of her brothers.

The ladies in the portrait are believed to be Frances Philomena Guth (L) with her mother Theresa Loll (R). The man is likely a brother of Frances Philomena Guth. She had several brothers so this could be Joseph Guth, John Guth or George Guth. Frances Philomena Guth would have been between 21 and 23 in this photograph. Her mother Theresa Loll would have been between 49 and 51 in this photograph.

The family was one of the prominent families in Clarion, Clarion County, Pennsylvania in the late 1800’s. Leopold Guth owned his own jewelry and watch making business. The family’s prominence is demonstrated by the clothing the ladies are wearing and because they could afford to have their photograph taken. Some other details are also present - Frances Philomena Guth is wearing a large ring. Theresa Loll has a large broach at the top of her dress.

The large ring Frances Philomena Guth is wearing.

Theresa Loll is wearing a large broach in addition to the large cross necklace. She likely blinked while the photograph was being taken giving her eyes a ghost like appearance.

Tintype photographs have a unique mirror-like finish. This particular tintype was hand tinted to add color to the faces. The surface of the original contains many scratches. Some of the damage was able to be removed during the digital restoration process. Due the amount of damage some of the scratches were unable to be corrected and can be observed in the whitish looking appearance on the photograph. The full black and white version below showcases some of the additional details.

Black and white version of the Tintype Photograph

This tin type and several others were included in the Frances Philomena Selker Collection. Frances Philomena Guth appears to have ended up with these photographs. She passed the photographs down to her daughter Frances Philomena Selker. Frances' daughter Mary Eugina McDonald ended up with her mother's photo collections which is time were handed down to me. Photographer Unknown. Editing and digital restoration by Michelle M. Murosky.

Theresa Loll is my 3rd great-grandmother. She is the mother of Frances Philomena Guth, my 2nd great-grandmother, Frances Philomena Guth was the grandmother of Mary Eugenia McDonald my paternal grandmother.