Accession Number

2012.007.001.076

Description

Black and white photograph of several adults and children. In the foreground are five children and two women standing at a dock or a bridge.

Narrative

Depicted in this photograph on the left in a spotted dress is Laura Miller Dunsmuir. The young woman, standing slightly behind her is Sarah Byrd Dunsmuir (Byrdie). Laura Dunsmuir is holding the arm of her daughter Emily Elinor Dunsmuir (Elinor). The nurse in the centre of the picture is holding a baby, probably Jessie Muriel Dunsmuir (Moulie or Muriel). According to the 1891 census, the Dunsmuir family's nurse was Kate Austin. The toddler in front of the nurse is probably Joan Marion Dunsmuir (Marion). The two girls on the right facing the photographer are probably Elizabeth Maud Dunsmuir (Bessie), and Laura Mary Dunsmuir (Maye).

The photograph was taken beside the boathouse at Ashnola, the home of Emily Ellen Dunsmuir (Mrs. Northing Pinkney Snowden) and Mr. Snowden built on Victoria's Gorge Waterway, directly across from Burleith. 

History of Use

This photograph was taken in about 1891 and placed in an album created by the James and Laura Dunsmuir family at Burleith, their home on Victoria's Gorge Waterway. In 1906 it was probably taken by the family to Victoria's Government House where they lived while James served as British Columbia's eighth Lieutenant Governor. From there it was taken to the family's new house, Hatley Park, in 1910.

Sometime after Laura Miller Dunsmuir's death in 1937, the album became the property of Dola Frances Dunsmuir (also known as Mrs. Dola Cavendish) and was kept at her house Dolaura in Colwood, B.C. After hear death, the album was owned by her sister Kathleen's daughter, Judith Humphreys (also known as Mrs. Judith Joy). Her daughter donated the album to Craigdarroch Castle in 2012.
 

Date

circa 1891

Dimensions

11.3 x 17.5 cm

Support

Paper, Photographic paper

Country of Origin

Canada