The 1910s Chicago Studio PortraitEvery face in a vintage photograph has a name, a story, and a place in our history--even it has been forgotten. Welcome to Forgotten Faces Friday where we are dedicated to solving the mysteries hiding in our family archives. 
The Historical Clues- The Location: The printed text on the back of the photo notes 831 South State St., Chicago, Ill. During the early 20th century, small budget friendly photography studios were set up in busy areas where working-class families, visitors, and commuters could get inexpensive "while-you-wait" photos.
- The Photo Mailer: The top of the sleeve includes printed instructions: "Don't seal this envelope. Stick flap to pictures only." This confirms the couple had their portrait taken in the city and immediately used a specialized souvenir mailing sleeve to protect the prints while sending them to family members out of town.
- The Style and Attire: The woman's long, tailored Edwardian "walking suit" and the couple's distinct styling narrow down the estimated creation timeline to the early 1910s (roughly 1910–1914).
The Faded Handwriting & Potential Family LinksThe very faded handwriting offers few direct clues, but a closer look reveals a potential path forward:- The Address: Old paper tape covers up the name of the person this photo package was originally addressed to in Dallas.
- The Letters: Looking closely beneath the tape, I believe I can make out a "Mr." or "Mrs." followed by part of a capital letter "A", and a capital "R" on the line below it.
- The Holman Connection: My mother-in-law's parents were Arthur Holman and Rosetta Stephens Pulley Holman. Given the fragmented letters "A" and "R" matching Arthur and Rosetta, and the mailing destination of Dallas, it is highly possible this anonymous couple belongs to the extended Holman family branch.
- Further writing: Looking at the writing in the bottom left (see photo below), it is possible it notes [Blue Eyes] and beneath it [Dark/Black Hair] just above the bottom paper tape.
Can You Help Solve the Mystery?Look closely at the features of the young couple in the original portrait:- Do you recognize a striking family resemblance to the Holman family or any related branches?
- Do you have records of family members living in or traveling through Chicago or Dallas in the early 1910s?
If you have a theory, recognize a face, or can decipher any of the surrounding faded blue script on the back, please leave a comment below!
Every face in a vintage photograph has a name, a story, and a place in our history--even it has been forgotten.
Welcome to Forgotten Faces Friday where we are dedicated to solving the mysteries hiding in our family archives.
- The Location: The printed text on the back of the photo notes 831 South State St., Chicago, Ill. During the early 20th century, small budget friendly photography studios were set up in busy areas where working-class families, visitors, and commuters could get inexpensive "while-you-wait" photos.
- The Photo Mailer: The top of the sleeve includes printed instructions: "Don't seal this envelope. Stick flap to pictures only." This confirms the couple had their portrait taken in the city and immediately used a specialized souvenir mailing sleeve to protect the prints while sending them to family members out of town.
- The Style and Attire: The woman's long, tailored Edwardian "walking suit" and the couple's distinct styling narrow down the estimated creation timeline to the early 1910s (roughly 1910–1914).
The Faded Handwriting & Potential Family Links
The very faded handwriting offers few direct clues, but a closer look reveals a potential path forward:
- The Address: Old paper tape covers up the name of the person this photo package was originally addressed to in Dallas.
- The Letters: Looking closely beneath the tape, I believe I can make out a "Mr." or "Mrs." followed by part of a capital letter "A", and a capital "R" on the line below it.
- The Holman Connection: My mother-in-law's parents were Arthur Holman and Rosetta Stephens Pulley Holman. Given the fragmented letters "A" and "R" matching Arthur and Rosetta, and the mailing destination of Dallas, it is highly possible this anonymous couple belongs to the extended Holman family branch.
- Further writing: Looking at the writing in the bottom left (see photo below), it is possible it notes [Blue Eyes] and beneath it [Dark/Black Hair] just above the bottom paper tape.
Can You Help Solve the Mystery?
Look closely at the features of the young couple in the original portrait:
- Do you recognize a striking family resemblance to the Holman family or any related branches?
- Do you have records of family members living in or traveling through Chicago or Dallas in the early 1910s?
If you have a theory, recognize a face, or can decipher any of the surrounding faded blue script on the back, please leave a comment below!
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