Source 1

A photograph taken in 1887 (COPY 1/382)

« Return to 19th century people

1. Look carefully at the photograph. The photograph can tell us a lot about Victorian Britain – such as what the fashions at the time were, and the size of families. We can also get an idea about how wealthy these people were.

  • Can you find a cricket bat?
  • How many hats are there in the photograph?
  • Look carefully at the children. Count how many are boys and how many are girls.
  • Do you think these were wealthy people? Give your reasons why you think that.
  • How old do you think the children are in the photograph?
  • In what ways are the children’s clothes different to those worn today?
  • Do you think all the children belong to this one family?
  • What does this photograph tell us about the roles of wealthy men, women or children?
  • What can we see in the background of the photograph?
  • Where do you think it might have been taken?
  • Why do you think this photograph was taken?
  • Is this photograph posed in any way?