Shared Photo: KNIGHT Siblings

Question

 

I wanted to share this family photo of Letha Barnhill with the community. Location: OK or TX. Date: Before 1944. Gregg Howard is a half brother.

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Answer 1

Wow--these ladies are really rocking some retro hat styles!  I thought these hats they're wearing seemed a bit old-fashioned, even by early 1920s and 1930s standards, and indeed, their bonnets look to be more in keeping with 1800s fashion sensibilities.

Fashion is not usually the first thing I notice, but I can't help but marvel how these dresses are so heavy-duty and all-covering that they remind me of ladies house coats or bathrobes.

I get the feeling this must have been some kind of special occasion where there were at least two photographers--gauging by the way one man and woman are looking at this camera, and three others are looking to their right (our left).  Cameras weren't all that common before the 1940s, so I find myself wondering what kind of special occasion this might have been to warrant not one but two cameras.  

I blew this photo up for closer inspection, since the expressions on their faces looked so intriguing to me.

I'm struck by the similarity in how all these people have almost identical smiles that look like they are smiling on the inside, but keeping tight-lipped about it, so as to not look foolishly or goofily or non-sensically happy.

Clearly these were practical folk, and evidently aware of the importance of making a positive difference--which I sense from the expressions on their faces that seem to show insightfulness, experience, wisdom, loyalty, commitment, and genuinely steadfast nature.

Thanks so much for sharing this marvelous piece of history and walk back in time!

Answer 2

As my kids would say, “That’s a blazin’ pic!” Love the ladies’ hats. And typical of the old way of having one’s photo made is the gentleman on the left looking away from the camera semi-profile. He’s so casual and relaxed with his hands in his pockets. All three gentlemen are wearing vest, which I am partial to, also. Thanks for sharing his with us.

BTW: my gg-grandmother was named Leatha and sometimes I’ve seen it spelled the same as Letha Barnhill in the pic.

Comments

My mother's name was Letha also.

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anonymous was Janice Sutherland. I guess I was not logged in!!

Answer 3

Thank you for sharing this amazing photo the all look amazing on the photo