This photograph taken in 1900 is a family portrait showing a gentleman and his wife with their three children. The youngest child is sitting on a horse.
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Worksheet: Reliability of Victorian photographs
Teaching Idea How reliable are Victorian photographs as a source of evidence?Discuss with pupils the concept of primary and secondary evidence and the reasons for questioning both. This photograph taken in 1900 is a source of primary evidence, but how reliable is it and how can they tell? Ask pupil to use this photograph or a selection of Victorian photographs, such as those found in the Images By Theme collection Snapshot 1900, to devise a set of criteria to assess their reliability. The worksheet provided suggests possible criteria and ways of recording and presenting your findings.
Learning Aims and Outcomes
- Compile simple criteria to use in making a judgement
- Interrogate a range of historical sources for information
- Draw simple conclusions based on evidence
Prior Knowledge
- All concepts required can be explained as part of the activity
Extended Learning and Useful Links
- Ask pupils to consider how they would dress/act for a family photo today. Would the photograph give a reflection of life/society today?
- Compare/discuss the 'novelty' of having a photograph taken. In Victorian times having a photograph taken was a rare occurrance. Today many people take digital photographs everyday. Does this make a difference to photographs as a future source of historical evidence?
- Link - The Beginnings of Photography
- Link - Timeline of Photography
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