Family and group photographs in Queensland in the 1800s.
Father regrets posing for a photograph so soon after being thrown from a horse in the middle of a cyclone. Son regrets being in the same photo as Pater.
Wedding day
It was not customary to smile for photographs in the 1800s – I suspect Colonial dentistry may have had a hand in this. Another reason was to appear a serious and proper member of society. These brides look so downcast it’s possible that they were contemplating the unknown horrors of the night ahead.
The family matriarch seated at the right is probably congratulating herself on the success of the match. And getting the bridesmaids/matrons of honour to wear those hats in public. Revenge on young people is so sweet.
“If only Herbert had practiced his wedding dance properly! At least we put those clean-shaven men at the very back – the picture isn’t entirely ruined.”
When the union is blessed with issue
After a suitable interval, the products of these happy unions arrive, and are immediately dressed in petticoats (regardless of gender) and forced to pose for photographs such as this.
The toddler seated on the floor seems blissfully unaware of the helpless misery to come, as etched in the faces of the older children. Perhaps this was a family that believed in the restorative powers of cod liver oil.
All the children bar the littlest have been liberated from petticoats, and are enjoying their sailor suit years. The littlest has taken their revenge on Mama’s fern collection.
For some children, enjoying one’s sailor suit years means dressing in an actual little sailor suit whilst holding a rope. (How very nautical of you!) It also means that Mother put sausage curls in one’s hair to complete the picture.
The children go off to enjoy the fun of their school days
And then suddenly, they’re all grown up
Never mind the sailor suit years. When you’re a young lady, you will be able to explore the full possibilities of the curling iron. You won’t be able to vote, or do anything more energetic than a gentle bicycle ride, but you’ll permitted some degree of self-expression with frills and bobby pins.
All photographs are out of copyright, and are stored in the digital collections of the State Library of Queensland, the State Library of Victoria and the National Library.
Moreton Bay and More 