I have long wondered about this photo. The version in my collection (from Grandma Clarinda Rudeen’s photo album) is a reproduction. I suspect the original may be in the hands of someone on Walt’s side of the family.
Aunt Florence believed that Gust and Augusta Rudeen’s children were in this photo: Edith with the hat, Minnie in the back row far right, and Walt with his arms around Harry (left) and my paternal grandfather Lawrence (right). I estimated the photo to be dated around 1906 based on Edith’s apparent age of five years old but that was just a guess. Who are the other people in the photo?
I heard on a podcast the other day about a tool you can use via ChatGPT to analyze historical photos – Mark’s Historical Photo Analyzer (you have to have a ChatGPT account to use it).
For those not familiar with ChatGPT and other AI (artificial intelligence) tools, you literally do chat with the chatbot. You upload information and have a conversation via the AI interface.
So I uploaded the photo and had the following conversation. My side of the conversation is in blue text, the chatbot responses are in black text. I’ve added additional after-the-fact commentary in red. Apologies – it’s quite lengthy but this is a really cool example of what these AI tools can do. Scroll to the bottom to see my final take on who’s who in this photo.
ChatGPT said:
Here’s a detailed analysis of the photograph: ChatGPT’s analysis here is based strictly on the photo itself with no additional input or cues from me.
| Observation | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Setting: Wooden siding of a house | The horizontal wooden slats suggest the group is posing in front of a house or a barn-like structure, typical of rural or small-town areas in the late 19th or early 20th century. As we will see below, I think the building is actually the Swedish Mission Church at Fridhem near Wahoo, Nebraska. |
| Time Period: Early 1900s | The women’s high-neck blouses, puffed sleeves, and long skirts reflect Edwardian-era fashion (circa 1890-1910). The men’s formal suits and bowler hats align with the same timeframe. My guess of 1906 is consistent. |
| Composition: Formal group portrait | The subjects are arranged in two rows: standing in the back and seated in the front. This was a common pose for family or community group photos of the era, often taken to commemorate a specific occasion. |
| Subjects: Mixed group of adults and children | The group consists of four women, three men, and three children. This mix of generations suggests a family gathering or possibly a community event where multiple families might be present. |
| Children’s clothing: Dresses and hats | The younger children are dressed formally, with the girl in a knee-length dress and large hat. This style reflects the practice of dressing children in miniature versions of adult clothing during this time. |
| Lighting: Bright, outdoor daylight | Shadows falling to the right indicate the photo was taken in natural light, likely during midday or early afternoon. |
| Window details: Decor inside visible | The window behind the group shows vases or decorative objects on display, indicating an effort to show refinement or decor within the home. |
| Emotion: Neutral to formal | The subjects show little to no overt expression, which was typical of photographs during this time due to long exposure times and the formal nature of photography as a special event. |
| Photographic quality: Moderate focus, slight fading | The photograph is slightly faded, indicating its age. The focus is clear enough to discern details of the subjects but slightly soft, suggesting the use of an older camera. |
| Cultural clues: Rural or small-town | The simplicity of the wooden house, paired with the group’s attire, suggests a rural or small-town setting. This was common in North America or parts of Europe during this era. |
Ambiguities and Uncertainties:
- Occasion: It’s unclear whether this photo marks a family reunion, a celebration, or a more mundane moment. Additional context (such as oral history or family records) could clarify. Hold on a sec…it suddenly occurred to me…was this photo taken at Gust Rudeen’s funeral? He died on January 10, 1907. And one of the women is in all black…I never focused on that before. Is she the widow, Augusta Mathilda?
- Location: While the architecture hints at a rural or small-town setting, the specific region or country is not identifiable without further evidence.
- Exact relationships: The photograph likely depicts a family, but the exact relationships between individuals (e.g., parents, siblings, extended family) are not immediately clear.
- Photographer’s intent: Whether this was a professional photograph or taken by an amateur is uncertain, though the composition suggests some care was taken.
Let me know if you have any background information or additional details about the family or setting! We could narrow down the context even further.
You said:
ChatGPT said:
| Observation | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Woman in black (back row, second from right) | She is the only person in the photograph wearing entirely dark clothing. Black was traditionally worn by widows during a period of mourning, particularly in the early 20th century, when strict mourning customs were still followed. |
| Somber expressions | While it was common to remain expressionless in photographs of this era, the lack of smiles and overall subdued mood in the image might align with the context of a funeral. |
| Group composition and importance | The woman in black is positioned near the center of the back row, subtly drawing attention to her role in the group. This central placement suggests she might be of significance in the occasion being commemorated, supporting the idea that she could be the widow. |
| Mourning customs (1907) | In this period, mourning clothing for women often involved full black ensembles, with varying lengths of time spent in “deep mourning” depending on the relationship to the deceased. A widow could wear black for months or even years, making it a highly likely interpretation of her attire. |
| Context of Saunders County, Nebraska | Nebraska in the early 1900s was a rural area where community and family gatherings often marked life events such as funerals. Such photos were sometimes taken to document these gatherings, particularly when family members traveled long distances to attend. |
Additional Points to Consider:
- Other Individuals’ Clothing: While she is the only one fully dressed in black, the rest of the group is dressed in formal attire. This supports the idea of a significant occasion like a funeral, where attendees might not be in full mourning but would wear their best, more somber clothing.
- Widow’s Age and Role: The woman appears to be middle-aged or slightly older, which could suggest she was married and fits the profile of a widow. If additional family records or context exist, they might clarify her identity.
- Contextual Evidence: If this photo is indeed from 1907, funeral portraits or group photos of mourners were not uncommon. They often served as a way to document the event and honor the deceased, particularly in small, close-knit communities.
Follow-Up Questions:
- Do you know more about the deceased, such as their age or relationship to the family in the photo? This could help confirm if the woman in black might be the widow. I’m ready to make some guesses about Gust and Augusta’s children in the photo.
- Are there any family stories or written records indicating who is present in the photo? There are two couples unaccounted for once we identify Augusta Mathilda and her children. Could the two women be Gust’s sisters, and the two men their husbands?
- Is there any information about the woman in black, such as her marital status at the time?
Let me know what else you’d like to explore!
You said:
ChatGPT said:
Yes, this interpretation makes a lot of sense based on the details you provided and the visual evidence in the photo. Here’s how this interpretation fits the image and its context:
| Observation | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Woman in black as the widow | The widow is dressed entirely in black, in line with mourning customs of the time. Her placement in the center-back row reflects her importance in the family structure and event being documented. |
| Woman at far right as eldest daughter | The woman at far right appears youthful and stands close to the widow, suggesting a significant family connection. If she is the eldest daughter, age 24, her white attire could reflect a gesture of modest mourning, as younger women often didn’t follow strict mourning codes as rigorously as older widows. I’m guessing this is Minnie. |
| Man at far right in front row as eldest son | This interpretation fits his formal appearance and prominent placement in the seated group. I’m guessing this is Walt (that’s what Aunt Florence thought, too.) The role of the eldest son, age 23, in supporting the family after the father’s death could be symbolized by his prominent placement. The two younger brothers sitting in his lap also reinforce his protective role. |
| Younger brothers, ages 17 and 10 | The 17-year-old, identified as “sickly,” might be the boy sitting closer to the eldest brother, as his physical condition could explain his placement for additional support. The 10-year-old likely sits on the far right, showing a lighter demeanor consistent with a younger child’s unfiltered behavior during somber occasions. I think ChatGPT has switched the two boys. I think Lawrence is to the left of Walt, and Harry is at far right. They seem similar in size, but I know Harry was diabetic and probably already showing symptoms at this age. |
| Girl at far left as the youngest daughter | The 6-year-old girl at the far left, wearing a large hat and a dress with a sash, fits the profile of the youngest child. Her playful pose (possibly mid-movement) reflects the innocence of her age, even in a somber event like a funeral. This is Edith (this is what Aunt Florence told me.) |
| Two other women in the back row as sisters of the deceased | The two women in lighter clothing next to the widow (center and far left of the back row) could plausibly be the deceased’s sisters. Their similar formal attire and positions flanking the widow suggest close familial ties. Gust had two sisters living in Nebraska at the time of his death. They were Anna Bjorklumd and Emma Anderson. |
| Men in front as their husbands | The two men seated in front of these women are likely their husbands. Their positions in the front row suggest they are extended family (brothers-in-law of the widow), showing support but in less prominent roles than the immediate family. The man in the hat sure looks like he could be Gust’s brother-in-law Gust Bjorklund, based on other photos I have seen. |
How this Narrative Aligns with the Photo:
- Family Hierarchy Reflected in Placement: The positioning of individuals aligns with their roles in the family. The widow and her oldest children are placed prominently, with extended family members slightly offset, supporting but not overshadowing the immediate family.
- Clothing Details: Mourning attire for the widow and more formal (but not black) clothing for the rest of the family fits mourning customs, especially in rural areas where full mourning was often simplified for practicality.
- Younger Children’s Behavior: The slightly informal poses of the youngest children reflect their innocence, which contrasts with the adults’ more solemn demeanor.
Potential Ambiguities or Gaps:
- Exact Identity of the Sisters: If the two women in the back row are the sisters of the deceased, additional family records could confirm their identities.
- Sickly 17-Year-Old: If one of the younger brothers was indeed sickly, his specific placement and visible signs (if any) would be helpful to confirm.
- Widow’s Age: Does the age and appearance of the widow match her position in this family narrative? Comparing this image to other family photos might help confirm.
- Presence of Other Family Members: Are any extended family members (like grandparents) potentially missing from the photo?
Next Steps:
- If there are any family documents, diaries, or letters, they might provide further details about the family’s relationships and the event.
- A comparison with other photos taken around the same time could help confirm identities and roles.
This story builds a cohesive picture of the family and its dynamics during this somber occasion. What do you think—does this match your understanding of the family’s history?
You said:
ChatGPT said:
Yes, the conditions described—cold weather with a high temperature of about 29°F on January 13, 1907—do align with what is shown in the photo, though there are a few subtle clues and considerations to confirm this:
| Observation | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Clothing layers and formality | Everyone is dressed in heavy, formal clothing appropriate for colder weather. The women wear long-sleeved dresses with high collars, and the men wear suits and hats. While outer coats are not visible, it’s possible they were removed briefly for the photo, as was common for formal group portraits of the time. |
| Hats and accessories | The men and boys are wearing hats, and the women have their hair neatly styled, suggesting they dressed for an outdoor photograph in cold weather. Hats were often essential in colder climates during this era, as they provided additional warmth. |
| Lighting and Shadows | The lighting appears bright, consistent with a sunny winter day. The crisp shadows falling to the right indicate low-angle sunlight typical of mid-afternoon in January. |
| Ground and surroundings | The ground is not clearly visible, but the lack of visible snow on the ground or on their clothing suggests that, even though it was cold, there wasn’t significant snowfall or they cleared an area for the photo. |
| Expressions and postures | The group’s posture and expressions are consistent with enduring a brief period of exposure to cold weather. No one appears overly uncomfortable, suggesting they were outside just long enough for the photo to be taken. |
Additional Considerations:
- Brief Outdoor Photos in Winter: It was common in the early 20th century to quickly assemble for outdoor group portraits, even in winter, to take advantage of natural light. The cold temperature likely explains the relatively stiff poses and the practical, layered attire.
- Children’s Comfort: The children’s relatively relaxed demeanor (especially the girl on the far left) suggests they are not in prolonged discomfort from the cold, reinforcing the idea that this was a short photo session.
- Potential Lack of Coats: The absence of heavy overcoats might seem unusual for such cold weather, but this was typical for formal photos, where individuals would briefly remove outerwear to display their best attire.
- Historical Context of Cold Weather Events: January funerals often required practical adjustments for outdoor photos, such as clearing snow, timing photos for sunny parts of the day, or choosing sheltered spots like the side of a building (as seen here).
Final Thoughts:
The details in the photo are consistent with a January 1907 date and cold weather conditions. If this was indeed a funeral, the family likely endured the cold for this moment of commemoration. The building’s side provided a neutral background, and the brightness of the day ensured a well-lit image despite the low temperature.
Do you think the family might have taken other photos inside, or does this image represent the only known documentation of the event?
My best guess at this photo mystery:
It certainly makes sense that someone would have gathered Gust’s immediate family to pose for this photo on the day of his funeral. I wonder who the photographer was?
If they are posing outside the church building, then this would be the old Mission Church building at Fridhem. In 1909, that church building was disassembled and moved to its present location in Swedeburg.
We are so used to seeing Augusta Mathilda in her severe hairstyle from the 1902 family portrait. In this photo she seems like a lovely petite woman. It’s too bad her face is so faded and out of focus.
What was interesting about the process of using the Chatbot was that it stimulated my own thinking and caused me to consider possibilities that I hadn’t really entertained before. I like this way of using artificial intelligence: it’s acting as a super-smart assistant. What fun!
My initial thought was that Lawrence (my father) is the young boy in Walt’s left arm, and at far right as you look at the photo. Without looking up the ages of Harry and Augusta, I can recall the family lore was Dad had lost both parents when he was 10. He would have turned 10 on December 13, 1907, and his mother passing away during the next year.