Historical information

Jane Shillinglaw was born 14 Jun 1846. She had a a son, Joseph Shillinglaw in 1863 and a daughter Jane Davidson in 1870 prior to her marriage to William James Sommerville in 1887.

Jane's younger sister Catherine Shillinglaw was born 13 Nov 1852 at Coburg, Victoria. She married Edward Henry Bottle in 1897

This photo shows fashion and hairstyles typical of the later 1870s. Photographer Stewart & Co operated from various addresses in Bourke Street East Melbourne from 1874 through 1905. The photo is estimated to have been taken c.1878 which would make Jane 32 years of age and Catherine 26 years.

There is another photo of who is believed to be Catherine Shillinglaw with Edward Henry Bottle. There are visual differences with the eyes so it is presumed this photo is of Jane.

A duplicate photo is contained in Album 2 (05664)

Stewart & Co operated from 217 Bourke St., East from 1871 to 1876 and from 217-219 from 1877 to 1889. Other locations included 42, 284 and 286. Overall, they operated in Melbourne from 1871 through at least 1910 though Carte-de-Visite photos were superseded by 1890.

CARTE-DE-VISITE (cdv) 1857-1890
Cartes-de-visite (cdv's) are the most common form of photograph from the nineteenth century, generally measuring two and a half inches by four and an eighth inches (6.3 x 10.5 cm) when mounted, sepia toned, mounted on a card which was generally printed with the photographer's name and address on the back or beneath the portrait.
- Frost, Lenore; Dating Family Photos 1850-1920; Valiant Press Pty. Ltd., Berwick, Victoria 1991

Physical description

Carte-de-visite (Approx 2 1/2 x 4 1/8 inches or 6.3 x 10.5 cm)
Digital file only, scanned from album in private collection