Since quite a few people indicated they would be willing to share photos or images of their ancestors, I propose that THIS WEEK, send me photos of ancestors born BEFORE 1800. I know there won’t be many, but let’s start there. The earliest photographs were made in the 1830s, and I am pretty sure not too many people in Southern West Virginia had access to a photographer. However, we may find a few photos and I/we would love to see them. We are more likely to find sketched or painted portraits, so let’s include those, if you have any.
The only one that I can find is one I have posted before. It was made from a tintype of James Skaggs, born in Greenbrier County, and his wife, Elizabeth Miller Skaggs, probably born in Augusta or Rockbridge County; I am the one who colorized it. The photo and Bible record came from Skaggs descendant Gary Peck, who manages the Antioch Baptist Church Museum in Ansted. It is my understanding that James and Elizabeth were members of Antioch Baptist Church.
Here is the conversation I had on the Fayette County West Virginia Genealogy Facebook page about the photo and its origin. When you send your photo(s), please provide name, date and place of birth, and how you got the picture. Thank you for sharing.