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The precise identity of this family is unknown. We do know that the photograph was taken on Martha's Vinyard, a island south of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. The family looks prosperous. Martha's Vinyasrd is today a very prosperous community. We believe the same was true at the turn of the century, but probably not nearly as true as today. The photograph wasc taken about 1905-06. The squinting boy in the front row (about 10 or 11 probably) wears above-the-knee knickers with longs tockings and a shirt with a floppy bow. Notice also his little low-crowned brimless black hat. It looks as though he is a bit unhappy at having his picture taken with the rest of his clan. Perhaps he doesn't like having to be so dressed up for the occasion, or maybe the sun is in his eyes. He appears to be wearing bloomer knickers like those worn with a tunic suit, more than the knickers worn by themselves. Somewhat unusually, his stockings appear not to be black (the standard color at this time) but of some lighter color (possibly brown). For details on see long stockings color. One reader suggests that the long stockings may be black but simply faded from wear. [HBC believes that this unlikely. We note periods from this era showeing boys wearing well-worn long stockings that are still recognizably black.] The other boy on the holds what looks like a small guitar. He wears a more grown-up white shirt and tie, I think with long pants, although his position makes it difficult to be sure.
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