Photographs of Unknown Women

Digger Indian Squaw. Lawrence & Houseworth Albums, 1860-70.

Mrs.Chas.McLaughlin, c. 1875. Bradley & Rulofson, San Francisco.
Albumen Print


The many women members of the Association of Pioneer Women, whose stories and ancestors were preserved in their "History Book", have nearly no visual records of who they were. A few of the women we found an image for in our photography files, but for the most part - nothing was found.
But, in our photography collection, there are many women of which we have photographs, but no names.

The top photograph shows an Indian woman, described as a squaw - therefore a wife, or just a woman - but no name was assigned to her photograph. Photographers Lawrence and Houseworth took photographs all over California during the years between 1860 and 1870. Their photographs of cities, streets, mountains, rivers and gold mining towns were all identified - but Indian women were not.

The bottom photograph, of Mrs. Chas.McLaughlin, is not exactly anonymous, but is identified only as the "Mrs." of "Chas. McLaughlin".  Bradley & Rulofson were preeminent photographers in 19th century San Francisco, taking the photographs of many of the wealthier residents in the city. This woman - with her elaborate hairdo, beautiful clothing and hand-colored embroidered shawl, identifies her as a woman of upper class San Francisco. But, a first name she does not have.

At the Archives Crawl on Saturday, October 13, there will be various types of photographs on display: card photographs, prints and photo albums. In addition to photographs - you will see Gold Rush Letter-sheets, maps, and artifacts women would have carried with them across the Plains and around the Horn.

Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday!