These photos have been a mystery to me since the 1970s. On the back of the woman’s photo it says “Mother’s aunt.”
Notice that the photo says the photographer was in the city of Groningen. This is the largest city in the north of Netherlands, and a very old city. But it’s not where my family came from. And here is another photo that was right next to the lady’s photo.
These are the only photos I have from Groningen, to my knowledge. The people don’t show any familial resemblance, but that–as we know–doesn’t necessarily mean anything.
What is more confusing is whose aunt she is. I have to assume that “Mother” means Cora DeKorn Zuidweg, Grandpa’s mother. It couldn’t be Grandma’s mother. Not only are most of our photos from Grandpa’s family, Grandma’s mother wasn’t Dutch, but Prussian.
So Cora. Or Cora’s mother? Or Grandpa’s father’s mother?
First, I looked at Cora’s aunts. Her aunts all came to the United States. They were the Paak sisters–none of whom look ANYTHING like the woman in this photo. And then on her father’s side, Mary DeKorn DeSmit and Jennie DeKorn Culver were her aunts. NOT these ladies.
Second, I went back a generation. Alice Paak’s aunts were the Bassas–no Groningen there–and the Paaks–no Groningen there either.
What about Richard DeKorn’s aunts? His mother had a lot of brothers, but only one sister–and she remained in Kapelle her entire life. His father had one half-sister (and a lot of half-brothers and one brother), Pieternella DeKorn. That family is still a bit of a mystery. She might have been born in Kruiningen, but I don’t know where she lived or when she died.
So how can the lady in the photo be “Mother’s aunt”??? The only other possibility that I can think of would be Jennie Zuidweg (Jennegien Bomhof), Grandpa’s grandmother. Let’s say his mother Cora wrote “Mother’s aunt” and meant her mother-in-law’s aunt. Is that possible? Jennie is from the only branch that was completely outside of Zeeland (until she came to Goes and married Johannes Zuidweg). She was born in Zwolle, Overjissel. That is 66 miles from Groningen, whereas Goes is 205 miles away.
BUT!!! Before we get too excited, what years did Reinier Uges have a photography studio? 1889-1914!! How can that be the aunt of a lady (Jennie Zuidweg) who was born in 1838 (and died in the U.S. in 1924). This lady would have to be a generation younger than Jennie, wouldn’t she?
All in all, I’m pretty sure that “Mother’s aunt” meant Grandpa’s mother’s aunt, thus an aunt of Cora DeKorn Zuidweg.
But that is impossible.
You see how frustrating this is?!
Any ideas about the age of the woman and the age of the man would be helpful!!
The Family Kalamazoo 
First, the pictures are amazing, I am always blown away by photo’s like these that have survived. Its a miracle. So thankful for the ‘keepers of the photo’s’ On the the page I see when I look at your blog the woman’s photo lines up pretty evenly with the photo of the woman on the cover of your book ‘Kin Types’ Am I seeing things? The women look oddly alike to me in the eyes and mouth shape. Could they be the same person? Can you take a look at those 2 together and see what you think, is it a possibility with age and the photographers dates?
Well, I didn’t think so, but WOW, what if she is related to the Paak/Bassa family? That would explain a lot. So how old do you think the woman is?
I don’t see as much of a resemblance as Sharon—the noses and shape of the heads are different in my eye. But the lips and eyes are somewhat similar. I’d try Ava Cohn—she did an incredible job of photo analysis for me, and since you have so many family photos and all this information, she might be able to solve this one for you. Just be prepared to wait a bit because she is really busy!
Yes, the nose is drastically different. I just heard from Hubert Theuns who has helped me in the past with photos. He discovered that the photographer actually was originally from and worked in (as well) in Middelberg, which brings him well into Zeeland! Maybe he was a traveling photographer. But I am still stymied because if the photo is from around 1900, as I suspect (still not sure about the bonnet), “mother” had no aunts at that time in Netherlands. And if we go back a generation, they would be too old. Grrr. Not sure I would much to share with Ava, although I am keeping her name handy for some other photos when I get some more ducks in a row.
Well, keep her in mind. I had even less and she somehow did magic! Good luck!
I plan to. I would like to get a few photos that are particularly important (in my mind haha) and get all the information around them set up and then contact her.
As for her age–I’d say under 40 because she has no lines at all in her face. If the man is her husband, which I’d assume, his hair has thinned quite a bit, but his face also has no lines. (Maybe it’s lack of exposure to the sun that keeps their skin so smooth?). So I’d guess anywhere between 25 and 40. But what do I know? 🙂
I was thinking maybe close to 40? Do you see loosening of the skin, a bit, crow’s feet and then also a bit of slack in the forehead? The man looks younger to me, but . . . .
Just looked up crow’s feet. Apparently, they usually don’t start until 40. Look at the outer edges of her eyes? Do you see them or am I imagining it?
Definitely! I had to zoom in, which I hadn’t done before. So now I think 40s may be right.
Yeah, that is what I was thinking. 40s. And he looks like 30s to me, but they could still be a couple.
But he appears to have gray hair and is definitely balding. I bet they are very close in age—he’s just had a less tiring life!
Well, we know they must have had kids then haha!
Just what I was thinking! 🙂
Hahahaha!
I think the male is older than 30 – more like 40 or a little more. His hair is thinning and receding, although that can start early. Separate from his hair, the look on his face seems to be from someone older and who has experienced things. Also, it may have been possible for the photographer to travel for potential business – even back then. Happy New Year – Thank you – Spyro
Thanks, Spyro. It helps to get the male perspective on his age. I had thought that he was younger and one of those men who loses his hair at a young age (just realized now that most of the men in my family photos have not lost their hair and maybe never go completely bald), but I can see what you mean about his face. Isn’t it amazing to think of the photography loading up that heavy, delicate equipment and traveling? Happy New Year to you!!
The woman looks likes she is dressed in her best clothes- fancy hat and ruffled outfit. It would be interesting to see what she looked like without the hat.
It’s a pretty good photo, though. But, yes, the hat is an eyecatcher ;)! I haven’t really found hats like that online, and it is similar to one my great-great-grandmother wears in her photos. Maybe it’s a Dutch style.
LOL 😀 — “Mother’s aunt”… 😀 Shades of poorly-labeled old photos everywhere; ya gotta love it or just cry. 😉 (It’s a WONDERFUL photo, though! ;-D )
[…] The unidentified lady (called “Mother’s aunt” and written about here) was photographed in Groningen. For fun I thought I’d share a link about Albarta ten Oever […]