Boys Puzzle - Genealogists' Forum

#1 12-09-09, 14:04

Apologies to anyone who has seen this before - but does anyone have any opinions as to whether this photo might be of boys at a school, or at a children's home or maybe at a Sunday School ? - or anywhere else? I think it was taken in about 1925 in the Altrincham area.

Thanks

Merry · #2 12-09-09, 14:28

Hmmmm....18 boys of the same age - no teachers, girls or adults in the photo.

Just stating the obvious, in case anyone thinks it makes a difference!

Personally, I've not seen a school group photo without any teachers, as far as I can remember.

Also, 18 would be too small for a normal school class, I think (unless it was somewhere posh!)

#3 12-09-09, 14:32

Thanks, Merry - I certainly don't think it was taken anywhere posh!!

Yet all the boys seem to be "dressed in their best" - with freshly-combed hair and scrubbed knees

Sorry the pic isn't very clear...I don't have the original

Merry · #4 12-09-09, 14:36

If it was a sunday school they wouldn't all be the same age, I wouldn't have thought.

#5 12-09-09, 14:45

I hadn't thought of that! -

Thanks, Merry

Durham Lady · #6 12-09-09, 16:24

The small village school my father went to had only a few pupils in the class and didn't have a teacher on the photo. Can't show it as it went missing from my album, I think one of my sisters took it but neither owned up.

Would a childrens home not have all the children dressed in the same style clothes or uniform?

Langley Vale Sue · #7 12-09-09, 16:27

Just a thought.

In those days, boys & girls were kept separate in most schools I think, except in class. Maybe the boy and girl pupils were not photographed together either, which may explain why there are only 18 boys in the photo.

Merry · #8 12-09-09, 16:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Langley Vale Sue

Just a thought.

In those days, boys & girls were kept separate in most schools I think, except in class. Maybe the boy and girl pupils were not photographed together either, which may explain why there are only 18 boys in the photo.

That's possible, as a class with nearly 40 in it would be quite normal.

#9 12-09-09, 17:00

Ooh that makes sense, Sue...thank you ..and Merry- we cross-posted!

Uncle John · #10 12-09-09, 19:24

Is the variety of dress a clue? From a 3-piece suit to a shirt and tie, with no uniformity at all. Fashion experts - when did square-ended ties go out of fashion? I think they are different ages, judging by heights, oldest standing at the back, youngest at the front. I think it could be a Sunday School or boys' club.