Aunt Nettie Sweet c. 1880 “Beautiful Lady” carte de visite photo

Question

Hi Wikitreers

We have in this rare unique photo in my collection “Nettie Sweet” name could be spelled “Nettee” c.1880 not much is known except a beautiful image of herself and a name but just maybe wiki can find her genealogy trail and get her sourced and connected? Maybe the image provides clues to her era and a bit about her a necklace hair style and dress? Possibly from the Rhode Island or Connecticut region of her time. The surname “Sweet” is in my family tree but not directly related. I have researched their lineages in New England so is it possible she is related to this branch Hiram Albert Sweet (1867 - 1948)?

Any collaboration is appreciated 

Edit: the only memorial that would match her era being born before 1899 in Rhode Island is Nettie A Sweet BIRTH 1866 DEATH 1923 (aged 56–57) BURIAL Central Falls, Providence County, Rhode Island, USA https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/39428392/nettie-a-sweet the collection of photos seems the majority in group were from R.I. So this is a possible match. The photo history was purchased in my collection from a Ct antiquities dealer

She is referred to as “Aunt” which shows her sibling’s children wrote her name in back of photo so she wasn’t an only child but maybe she never was married being this age and a aunt still? It also might show she had no children of her own at this age to write on back of her photo

Bio description matching: She has a distinct nose which might match her to other family in her genealogy 

Comments

She certainly is a very beautiful woman, and the photo is of excellent quality.

---

Victorian Era photos are a true treasure and this is a gorgeous photo in detail and condition well preserved  

Answer 1

Hi Andrew,

I don't know if it could possibly be the same person as I have no images of her as a young woman to compare, but my great-grandmother was called Nettie Sweet. Her birth name was Annette May Clark, born 19 Sep 1872 in Oramel, Allegany County, NY. She married William E. Sweet in Rushford, Allegany County, NY on 5 Jun 1889. She was always called Nettie by her family. She died 12 Apr 1964 in Buffalo, Erie County, NY and is buried in the Oramel Cemetery, Allegany County, NY.

The only photos I have of her are from her later years, but she did have a distinctive nose. I haven't added her to my tree here yet, and I'm not sure this will work, but I have linked to a photo of her at Dropbox:  https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/38gf4n8oftp9n7lvaidap/Gram-Sweet.jpg?rlkey=383zsyakx4qcleya5suuuidtf&st=v60xmepo&dl=0

I'm very curious to know if your photo could possibly be my Nettie Sweet.

Comments

Hi Debra,

Thank you for the response to this g2g.

It’s very possible that she is a relation somehow and with technology she can be matched someday   

The antique store is maybe the last clue I might be able to give as it was found and purchased it by such in Connecticut’s small northeast region. So maybe the antique photo didn’t travel too far from its origins, but then again maybe it did? 

I do wish it had more to her story, but a treasure none the less of an era that is my favorite the 19th century. 

Edit: I believe the dates would be close as late 19th century Victorian era. I wonder if her necklace was handed down she seems very fond of it in the photo not something she would of let go of to anyone I’d imagine? 

---

One more clue she is referred to as “Aunt” so likely not married yet in photo but then again maybe later handwriting of her nieces or nephews

Note: the handwriting is also a clue as it might be matched someday to its author with similar writing?

---

I do have the Sweet name in my family tree but indirect relation as my grandfather remarried a “Sweet”

---

The eye orbits seem to match…I’m not a professional on this but your photo when compared is similar but years later almost oddly enough a beginning and end…

A side by side view might be helpful?

Note: if it was color photos we could match eye color and she doesn’t have thick heavy brows so it is in these minute finest of details we come to more comparison