I was recently given an old photograph of a couple who, I was told, are my 3 x Great Grandparents - but not WHICH!
According to a fashion historian, the lady's dress would indicate that the photo was taken sometime before 1860. I've whittled the candidates down to two possibilities, but I'm still stuck.
HOWEVER, the gentleman is holding what looks like a quill. If you imagine a white feather with one of the vanes removed, that's how it looks. One of the candidates was a hatter, the other a sawyer, so there is no obvious connection with their occupations.
BUT, one of the candidates was a prominent freemason in Oldham (UK)and I am wondering if the quill/feather was some kind of masonic symbol.