Here’s a great photo. Previously unseen online, I believe this is Blantyre lassie, Lizzie Ritchie and if it is her, would have been taken around 1898 or so. Her father was David Ritchie, a master joiner and likely the person who took the photo given his keen interest in photography. Her mother was Mary Ann Fleming. The parents married in Strathaven in 1888 before settling down in various places in Blantyre. The family lived at School Lane at the time of this photo, then later at Broompark Avenue and later again at Main Street.

The photo was likely taken near their home in this era at School Lane. There’s been parental attention here, as the girl is well dressed for the photo, hair clean and brushed with a bow. Hands clasped in a pose. There’s a slight sadness in her expression which may simply be a reflection of having to sit and pose for a while, unable to move for the camera.

Its difficult to imagine how different the world was then. Queen Victoria still on the throne, before cars on the roads and half a decade BEFORE trams even appeared in Blantyre. WW1 was still 16 years away and Blantyre was very much, a mining village.

With thanks to Alex Bowie for sharing.