Photo: Barbie in a flower dress made by the author’s mother and grandmother. Credit: Gena Philibert-Ortega.

Barbie Homemade Fashion

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on July 31, 2023

Spurred by the success of the new “Barbie” movie, Gena Philibert-Ortega reminisces about homemade Barbie clothes she and her friends enjoyed... (Read More)

Illustration: a close-up of the head of Nell Gwyn, by Sir Peter Lely. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.

Our Puritan Ancestors’ Fashion War against Women’s Hair Styles and Headdresses

By Melissa Berry on July 14, 2020

Melissa Davenport Berry describes how Puritan laws in the Massachusetts Bay Colony tried to control women’s clothing, hair styles and headdresses... (Read More)

Illustrations: Prince Rupert of the Rhine, often considered to be an archetypal Cavalier, by Anthony van Dyck, c. 1637, and a Roundhead, "The Puritan," by John Pettie, 1870. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.

Our Puritan Ancestors’ Fashion War against Long Hair

By Melissa Berry on June 24, 2020

Melissa Davenport Berry describes how our Puritan ancestors didn’t approve of long hair – at least, the clergy and government officials didn’t... (Read More)

Our Puritan Ancestors: Mass Bay Residents Waged a Fashion War in the Colony

By Melissa Berry on February 26, 2020

In this article, Melissa Davenport Berry describes the fashion laws in effect in 17th century Massachusetts – and how both women and men flaunted the law... (Read More)

Ancestor Weddings: Genealogy Tips for Finding the Dress

By Mary Harrell-Sesniak on August 11, 2015

Introduction: Mary Harrell-Sesniak is a genealogist, author and editor with a strong technology background. In this blog article, Mary searches old newspapers to find a variety of pictures and articles about our ancestors’ wedding dresses. Historical newspapers not only give you the names and dates you need to fill in your family tree –... (Read More)

Photo: American 1920s woman's bathing suit. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.

Great-Grandmother’s Swimsuit in Vintage Fashion Articles & Photos

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on July 22, 2014

Gena Philibert-Ortega searches old newspapers to find ads and stories about vintage swimsuits, giving us another glimpse into our ancestors’ lives... (Read More)

Our Ancestors’ Easter Parades & Spring Fashions

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on April 20, 2014

Gena Philibert-Ortega searches old newspapers to learn about our ancestors’ spring fashions and their Easter parades showcasing those fine new clothes... (Read More)

How to Date Old Photos of Our Ancestors with Early Fashion Trends

By Mary Harrell-Sesniak on September 9, 2013

In this article, Mary Harrell-Sesniak searches old newspapers to show how illustrations of fashion trends in hats can help you date family photographs... (Read More)

How to Date Family Photos with Vintage Fashion Ads in Newspapers

By Mary Harrell-Sesniak on October 22, 2012

Introduction: Mary Harrell-Sesniak is a genealogist, author and editor with a strong technology background. In this guest blog post, Mary shows how the fashion pages in old newspapers can help you date family photographs based on the clothes your ancestors are wearing, especially ladies’ hats. If you’re having difficulty dating family photographs, you could... (Read More)

Tag: Fashion