Ever Wonder About Those Photos of Children in Sailor Suits?

Dressing little boys as miniature sailors has been popular ever since a 4-year-old Prince Albert appeared in a child’s version of the uniforms worn by the crew of the Royal Yacht in 1846. By the 1870s, parents were dressing both boys and girls in sailor outfits.

Cartoon characters such as Popeye and Donald Duck, who wore sailor suits, gave the fashion another boost

in the 1930s.

In the above photo, a young Raymond Lamont Pierce (1923-1981), son of Mobile County farming parents, poses for his portrait in his fashionable sailor suit and shoes. The photo is probably from the early 1930s.

The photo and clothing are a sign that although Raymond's parents N.B. "Bonie" Pierce and his wife Julia L. Moody may have had to struggle to raise their family, it was a successful struggle in many ways.

Do you have photos of boys and girls from your family's history wearing sailor suits? Does the fashion reveal anything about your ancestors?

Children's Toys and Play Clothes Can Tell You A Lot About a Family

Brothers Ralph Bailey Pierce (1917-1984) and George Carl Pierce (1916-1989) play in their wagon in the yard of their farm home in Wilmer, Ala. The photo was probably taken sometime in the 1920s.

Does anyone recognize the name on the wagon? Also, note the toy passenger train car. Does anyone familiar with antique toy trains recognize this one?

The boys' clothing, shoes and toys point to a family that had a comfortable, and maybe even a fashionable, lifestyle. Rural life and work may have been hard at times, but there were also times for fun and play.

Always Record the Names of Everyone in a Photo

Here is a good reason to always record the names of everyone in photo, even if you think you'll never forget them. It is also a good idea to note the date of the photo.

Around 1920, students at Wilmer (Alabama) School posed for this photo.

Velma Pierce (1913-1993) is in the second row from the front, third from the left. The boy behind her may be one of her brothers, perhaps Wilson Taft "W.T" Pierce (1910-1983).

The other children are not identified and may never be.

Weddings a Good Time for Taking Family Photos

Twenty years separated the birth of the oldest and youngest of the nine children of N.B. "Bonie" Pierce and Julia L. Moody of Mobile, Alabama. They didn't often get together for a photo. One occasion when they did was the marriage in 1948 of Beatrice V. Pierce to Ralph E. Poore.

From left to right and from youngest to the oldest above are, Raymond Lamont Pierce (1923-1981), Beatrice Valara Pierce (1921-1993), Ralph Bailey Pierce (1917-1984), Velma Moree Pierce (1913-1993), George Carl Pierce (1916-1989) always called Carl, Wilson Taft "W.T" Pierce (1910-1983), Hazel Lee Pierce (1905-1985), Cecil Alvy Pierce (1907-1975), and Ina Mae Pierce (1903-1977).