Here are two photos of my mother, Janet, and her brother, Donald. Take a look at the similarities and differences.
The one with Mom holding her doll shows a glimpse of their front porch on Burdick Street. Don is wearing short pants and long striped socks. They both have cute little hats on. The back of the photo is labelled April 1938. My mother was born in 1934 and Don in 1936.
Then this one:
In this photo they seem to be wearing the same outfits, although Don’s snowpants are now on and Janet has a scarf around her neck. There is melting snow in the yard.
So were they taken on the same day or is the second photo earlier than April? What do you think? Notice that little “trike” or whatever it is is in the same spot in both photos.
Another thing of note in the second photo is the phenomenal neighborhood view. This is the best neighborhood view down Burdick Street I can remember seeing. In fact, you see that brick house in the distance to the left of the tree? That is the Richard DeKorn house where Grandpa himself grew up. There are a couple of houses in between, then the service station Grandpa owned, and then Balch Street. The house is across Balch from the station. Grandma and Grandpa’s house where Mom and Uncle Don grew up was at the corner of Burdick and Emerson.
The Family Kalamazoo 
To my eye, the photo taken during colder weather appears to be later by maybe a year, give or take, than the other one. Imagining standing your uncle up in the first one gives me the sense that your Mom is only slightly taller than he is. But in the second photo, she is nearly a head taller and her hair seems a little longer. Also, both of their faces appear a little more mature to my eye. Your Mom’s shoes also appear to be different. Obviously, not much later because the clothes do appear to be mostly the same. Maybe the Spring of one year and the following late Winter. Great photos!
Thank you for your evaluation! As I was just looking at what you say I see that Don’s hat does look different in both photos, too!
Beautiful old photos. So lovely to have.
I agree–they are so special! Thanks for stopping by.
I enjoy comparing photo’s, looking for clues – always fun!
And, as you know, always confusing!!!! hahaha
The second photo looks earlier. The children do look alike
Doesn’t Don’s hat look different? I think it IS a different hat.
You could be right
Luanne, I am fascinated by the dolls in the first photo. The one your mother was holding is one that I also had – it was a hand-me-down from my mother and in pretty rough shape when I got her. I called her Mina because that’s what my German mother had called her. Mina was never one of my favorites.
The other doll held by her brother is a Jerry Mahoney “dummy” doll and one that I received as a brand new doll circa 1949. Candice Bergen’s father Edgar Bergen was a ventriloquist with two “dolls” called Charlie McCarthy and Jerry Mahoney. I was fascinated by the entire ventriloquism mystique and was thrilled to receive a “Jerry doll” for my birthday one year. My Jerry was a favorite of mine because he was in such a dapper suit and so clearly male. Since I identified more male than female, Jerry wore clothes I saw myself in. Thanks for the photo!!
Btw, I think they were taken the same day.
Sheila! What wonderful information about the dolls! How cool is that–a Jerry Mahoney doll. I had never heard of it. Thank you so much for telling us about “Mina” and Jerry because I don’t think I am alone in loving to get this identification!!!!
Great photos. At first I thought they were taken at different times because of your uncle’s socks and apparently short pants. But the hats and coats are identical so I am less sure. But overall I think they were taken close together in time since by the following year, it’s doubtful the same coat would have fit your mother.
That’s true. And the trike sure wouldn’t be in the same spot. But I now think Don’s hats are different. But the photos would have to be pretty close together or that trike wouldn’t be there IMO.
Here’s a vote for different days, but close together. Glad for Sheila’s explanation of of the Jerry Mahoney doll. I’d never seen one before.
I’m also fascinated by what must be hitching posts along the street. What else might they be?
YES! I saw that and wondered what it was!!! I’ll have to ask Mom if she knows. And I agree that it is different days because I now feel certain Don is wearing a different hat in each pic. I’m so grateful to Sheila for the doll info as I am a doll person (my first poetry book featured many doll poems).
I recently read an article in an American Airlines Magazine on the web site https://www.civilwarphotosleuth.com They are using facial recognition to try and identify subjects of American Civil War Photos. If you have any photos that need identifying or want to add your already identified photos to the database, please take a look. I also found this article https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/computer-scientist-who-wants-to-put-name-to-every-face-in-civil-war-photographs-180971754/
Wow, Joel, thanks. Great site. I will read the article. I bet others do, too, from your comment here.
These are gorgeous photos Luanne 😀
They were obviously taken quite close together in time because as Amy says, the clothes fit and kids grow so fast at that age, but maybe not on the same day. There is a rope tied round the porch post in the first shot that’s not in the second.Did they have a dog?
Good catch about the rope! I’m pretty sure they usually had a dog.
I think they must be taken close to the same time, also. Cute pics!
Thank you, Eilene. They look so adorable in those winter clothes!
SO adorable!
I think so, too!!!!
I vote for different days. It looks like your mom’s hair has much more curl to it in the second picture. And I love their socks in the first one!
I think so, too, Barb. Close, though, but not the same day. Thanks about the curl, too. Those details are what really help.
Lots to look at. Thanks for pointing out the trike. Would have missed it.
Everybody sees something different! By putting it all together the mystery begins to be solved ;)!
I think different days. I think both children look several months older in the second photo.
Anne, thank you! Mom chimed in below, and she agrees with you :).
I love all of your photos!
Thank you, Ann Marie, although I can’t take credit for them! I love them, too!
I believe that the photo with snow was taken earlier in season. Uncle Don looks younger in that one.
Thanks, Mom! I think he does! And I think his hat might be different! Did you have a dog?
Did someone sneak out of the house with short pants and maybe photo taken because it was cold and amusing?
Hahaha! Maybe! Grandma used to tell me he could be mischievous!
It’s a different date, your mother’s wearing white or light coloured shoes in one and not in the other, there’s a rope tied round the house pillar/support in one and not in the other. Your uncle’s wearing long pants in one, and short in the other. Might have been the same year, but different month. Your mom’s hair is a bit more curly in the one with the snow, too. 🙂
Oh and your uncle’s hat is different in each!