This is my great grandfather William Beal and his family. Wife Anna, Ethel the eldest, Ralph (my grandfather) in front of her, Leona on her Dad’s lap, Carl in front, Blanche on her mother’s lap. Looks like this was taken about 1890 at Conway Springs, Kansas where they lived.
Why do all pictures of this vintage look so serious? No one ever smiles or looks happy. Even the children.
Here’s a later picture of the same group. Labeled “September 1902 just before leaving Kansas for California”. At least I can see the beginning of grins.
