This week I am posting an unknown photo from a beautiful antique photo album that was in the keeping of my uncle. This child is also beautiful, as is his outfit. What clues can I pull from this photo to try to find the identity of the boy?
Look at the shirt collar, the coat, the emblem.
Do any family members see any trace of any branches in this boy’s face? I see Zuidweg, but wonder if others do. Here’s a Zuidweg face to give you an idea. My great-grandfather, Adrian Zuidweg.
This is Adrian Sr.’s brother Lucas Zuidweg.
Here’s one of my grandfather, Adrian Zuidweg.
Adrian Zuidweg
Or this:
Adrian Zuidweg, 1908-2000
Maybe we can come up with a decade for the unidentified photo at the top of the page?
The Family Kalamazoo 
I certainly see Zuidweg. I hope someone has the answer
Me too, Derrick. I’m glad your photographer’s eye can see Zuidweg!
I definitely see a resemblance to the soldier. But I am no good at dating photos by clothes especially for Europeans. I hope you find the answer!
You know what is more difficult about this? my great-grandfather in the soldier’s uniform doesn’t really look like his parents or his sister, IMO. Nobody else has that mouth, for instance. So is the photo him or is it someone else in the family that is less closely related to him? Maybe I should have posted his brother, just to see what people think. Hmm. Maybe I’ll add him in! Thanks, Amy, for letting me think out loud!
Any time!!
I love every single photo you have posted. I do see Zuiweg in the unknown 1st photo with the 2nd photo – Adrian in uniform. His fishing photo is my favorite.
Sharon, I just added in Adrian Sr’s brother Lucas, too. Adrian is the only one of his family who looks so much like that little boy, but tell me if you get a chance if you see Lucas in that little boy, too, or just Adrian Sr. 🙂
There is just something so haunting about that first unknown picture. He looks so sad. The pictures all feel familiar and I have heard it said ears do not change. so if you could match up ears that might help, lol. The little boys mouth seems wrong although they all turn downward. Oh boy another mystery~ Sharon
I think that the boy’s mouth is identical to Adrian Sr. And the ears look similar too. The only thing that looks different is the set of the eyes–that the young man might have eyes closer together than the boy, but then does that happen when someone grows up? Hmm, always something more to figure out!
I think it could be your great-grandfather as a boy. I think the boy really looks just like him.
I am starting to think that more and more. The only thing maybe not the same is how far apart the eyes are. What do you think about that?
The eyes seem fine to me and I’d also say the ears are a good match, though we can’t see the right ear very well in the adult photo and we can’t see the left in the child’s. But certainly the child’s ears look nothing like the brother’s.
I tend to agree with you that this is actually Adrian Sr!
This little Dutch boy is beautiful! And I see the resemblance to your grandfather and great-grandfather like you do.
Surely the outfit was a private school? Theological perhaps?
Intriguing as always, Luanne. Quite the mystery.
I tend to agree with what others are saying Luanne. To me, the boy on,y bears a resemblance (a strong one) to Adrian snr. I’ve got nothing helpful as far as dating the photo, but I wonder, like Sheila if he’s wearing a school uniform. The crown emblem on his shirt is really distinctive and it looks like there is something else embroidered below it.
Wonderful picture. Is there any indication on the frame or elsewhere of where it was taken?
I definitely see a resemblance to the soldier picture, and even the mouth looks the same, I have to agree I too think it is your grand father. The picture you posted of your grandfather in front of the lake, is that Long lake or somewhere else? Luanne you a good one to find the True answer.. Good luck
Clothing is usually my specialty, but sailor suits for boys have been ubiquitous both in Europe and America. Even Prince Albert (Edward VII) was wearing one in the 1840s! Based on the photo, I agree that it might be a young Adrian.