When I first came across this photo, I wasn’t sure it was even going to be one worth posting. I could see it was a picnic from long ago, but I didn’t recognize anyone at first. After I had scanned the photo and was able to examine it more closely, I was surprised and excited to see what it really was—a photo of the Nathan and Mary McClain family at a picnic.

I’m sure if Mom were still with us, she could identify everyone in this photo. Sadly, I can only make guesses—I have definite identifications for only a few.

The key to this photo is identifying the couple just right of center in the back: Mary and Nathan McClain. The only other certain identification I have is the girl left of center in the front: Florence McClain. I’m guessing she is three-ish, which provides a year for the photo.

I can only imagine how uncomfortable it must have been on a hot summer day, even in the shade, for everyone to be dressed up—women in long dresses (or long skirts and blouses in some cases), men in long-sleeved shirts and ties. The lady on the left who is wiping her brow (possibly Aunt Clara?) gives us a hint that it is hot.

I wonder where this picnic was held. Could it have been on the McClain farm in North Albany?

Even if I knew absolutely no one in this photo, I would still find it interesting: a lady’s hat hanging on something on the left, the blankets laid out on the ground, the informality of the scene (despite the clothes), and all the conversations captured at an instant in time.

If you can identify anyone else in this photo, please speak up in the comments. It probably isn’t possible, but I’d love to identify everyone who can be identified.