Help with dating this please

**Little Nell** · 20-01-08, 14:22

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This is my great-grandmother, Emma Broad (1867-1904) who married John David Smoothy in 1890. I believe this photograph was taken in Richmond, Surrey and she looks very smart, although she worked as a maid and her husband was a wood turner.

Any comments gratefully received.

**Margaret in Burton** · 20-01-08, 15:00

She looks quite young, would she be in her early 20's?

**Margaret in Burton** · 20-01-08, 15:02

Then again, there looks to be a bustle on her dress.

Unsure now.

I'm not too good at the dating photos lark either Nell

**Little Nell** · 20-01-08, 15:48

Thanks anyway. I wondered if it was a photo to celebrate her engagement? My mother has a photo of her wedding, but curiously (and annoyingly) she has her veil down, so this is the only image I have of her. She looks very like her only child, my grandmother.

**Just Barbara** · 20-01-08, 16:58

Hi Nell, from what I can see Granny is wearing a bustle, and since I think she has her hair frizzed on top this would put her into the 1880s, 1886 maybe?

**Little Nell** · 20-01-08, 17:07

Barbara

Thank you for your thoughts.

She was born in 1867 so if it was taken in maybe 1888 it was to mark her coming of age? I have another photo of my grandmother (not Emma's daughter) which I think was the same occasion.

Perhaps it was to send home to her parents? This copy belonged to her daughter.