This is the oldest photograph that I have in my personal family collection. Though unidentified, I suspect this tintype is of my 3rd great grandfather, James Costlow (1822-1904). It is likely that he is with his first wife, my 3rd great grandmother, Sarah Reynolds Costlow (1824-1865). It is also possible, however, that this is his second wife, Elizabeth Seese (1934-1921). They were married in 1867.

Here are scans of both the front and the back.

I wrote a much longer piece about James here:

My 3rd Great Grandfather and "Prominent and Representative" Citizen of Cambria County, PA, James Costlow (1822-1904)

This photograph circulated widely on Ancestry.com is said to be James and his thee brothers. I don’t know the origins of the photo.

When placed side by side the tintype I have and the man identified as James here certainly look quite similar to me. They are, of course, of vastly different ages and I would guess that the older photo is probably reversed (note the part in his hair is opposite).

The circumstantial evidence that the photo I have is of James is strong. It is not ironclad, but given where the photo was (in my great grandmother’s photo album) and its apparent age (1860s) this is the most logical guess.

I have been able to connected with another descendant of James Costlow. We are 4th cousins and he helped me apply for membership to the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, a group we are both entitled to join due to James’ Civil War service.

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