I am trying to track down one of my ancestors. There's this photograph that has been submitted as her over and over again. But someone told me they didn't think the time line matched the photo. She lived from 1790-1832. Can anyone advise me? Thanks in advance.
I really don't believe the photo is earlier than late 1880's.
The first aspect is technical. The earliest surviving photograph was from 1826-1827, it's very unlikely to have a photo from 1832. The earliest photograph to include people was a daguerreotype made by Louis Daguerre in 1838.
Secondly the clothes she's wearing is simply not from 1790-1832 at all. The wide men's lapel jacket collar did not appear in women's clothing until late 1880's. Your photo reminds me of this painting from 1897, but even then the painting is depicting a young, wealthy and fashionable woman, it will take some time to filter through older and less wealthy people.
