This old photo has been in the family for a little while and no one knows who it is. It may be my great-grandmother (born 1892) or maybe one of her children (born 1910), but I am thinking it is more likely my great-grandmother...? She did not like photos being taken of her so I have no others to reference.

Here is what I know: I am guessing it is a confirmation photo. The photographer is G. Dobkins Studio, 507 Eight Ave., NY. I looked up the photographer and he is in the NY directory for 1915 and 1916, but not 1917, those were the only years I could check.

Also mysterious is the writing on the back:
"Mrs. Matamo" (perhaps a misspelling of her last name, Montano)
That is underlined and then it has "Mr. Montamo (this is certainly a misspelling of my great-grandfather's name, Montano, because the following was his address in the 20's),
214 E. 29th St,
apt. 2nd floor rear,
as it is death (death circled)
(underline)
has one oil painting picture to give"

I have no idea what to make of this! My g-grandfather died in 1962, my g-grandmother in 1973, and they were no longer at this address then. Did someone in the family die and they got evicted? Why write this info on the back of a photo, which obviously remained with the family?

Anyone want to venture a guess? Thanks!

(Am attempting to attach photos, hope it works!)

just saw your picture.. how beautiful..can`t help but have you researched photogragher..! or history of the bldg listed on back of pic..looks like a certificate she`s holding..passing out for young ladies or college..
good luck..I`m in uk..
jean

I think this is probably your great grandmother because the photo's subject has her hand on a column to steady herself. Props were used in this way in the older photos because one had to stand still for such a long time. That probably would not have been necessary by the time your great grandmother's daughters were that age.

You can check the George Eastman database at http://www.geh.org/gehdata.html to see if the photographer was practicing in New York when your great grandmother was a young girl. This database lists photographers from around the world, but mostly in the U.S., the dates and where they practiced, and other information about the photographer. The database is a Telenet database which is not supported by the VISTA operating system. If you have VISTA, you could try your local library's computer.

Good luck. Judi