So, how did Herr Sternstein end up in Glasgow? This is what I was able to find out. Jachiel Sternstein was from Hamburg, Germany. He and his son Sigmund emigrated to Scotland some time around 1870. I couldn't find an exact date. In 1873, Jachiel opened his photographic studio. Eventually, his son joined him in the family business and it became J & S Sternstien. They did, as noted on the back of the card, specialize in group portraits. By the 1940's, presumably, absent Jachiel and Sigmund, J & S Sternstein had contracts for school portraits all across central Scotland. I found references to their school portrait business into the 1970's.
So, my English mother had a tendency to look on the Scots and the Irish as somewhat lesser members of the United Kingdom. (Not the Welsh. Her mother was Welsh.) She always described the Scots as cold, sour people, and looking at this photo, well let's just say that even the children look unhappy. Although, there is that one little boy, second from the right in the front row, who seems to be making some sort of remark to his classmate. I think he was the kid who always got other kids in trouble.
Dear Blogger,
ReplyDeleteSigmund was born in Glasgow as can be verified on Scotland's People.
I am a descendant who will soon be writing articles on the history of J&S Sternstein, initially for the Glasgow Story Collective which appears on Facebook and also for the sake of young members of the family.
May I please receive a digital copy of your photograph? It would be very helpful if this could be sent to:
elainea890@gmail.com
If this is possible, very many thanks!
Cold and sour ? Hah, that's rich coming from a Sassenach ! Lesser ? Yip, typical ascendency attitude, bordering on racist...
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