When a Picture Speaks to You

This is a picture of my Great-Great Grandfather James Knox Polk Yates and his middle son Gideon.

To some, this may be a revolting picture. But to a genealogist and family historian, it speaks volumes.

I don't know how, why, or even when Gid died, but I can see the love and honor in this picture of his father on one knee gazing at his son. Most likely, it was "Polk" who built the coffin out of necessity, but also out of tradition. (I have another picture not included here of Polk's grandson Gamble Yates who died in 1998 in Roane County, Tennessee on the same farm where this picture was taken. It shows Gamble's flag-draped coffin being taken to the family cemetery by horse drawn wagon.) I can suppose that Gideon's coffin was taken there in that way too.

From census records, I know that Gideon was born in 1879 in TN, and by looking at this picture I can guess his age to be from 18 to 25 at death. My guess is too that the suit might have belonged to his father, or another relative because it looks like it might be a bit large for him.

Polk was born in 1842, and by looking at his hair and beard, he doesn't look very grey yet, so it also helps me to date the picture at around 1897. The men in the Yates family do not go grey as early as most men, so Polk could be around age 55 here.

More than anything though, this picture just raises questions. The 1890 census records were mostly destroyed in a fire at the National Archives in 1921, so I am unable to look for Gid in that era. Was he old enough to vote? Did he receive any formal education? What was the cause of his death? I am still digging for answers!

Pictures like these are treasures for our family, gruesome or not. We are very lucky to have them.

Your comments and rating are always most appreciated.