Photographer Lewis Hine {wiki} spent a decade documenting child workers for the National Child Labor Committee in the early 20th century. His famous photos helped to outlaw child labor in America. Joe Manning has spent considerable time on a project to find out what happened to the children in the photographs, and is posting his findings. Among others is the story of how he uncovered the fate of Addie Card, described in a Hine photo as “an anemic little spinner”. Manning began his search inspired by the work of author Elizabeth Winthrop.
Manning found what he was looking for in the case of Annie Card, and it’s a fascinating story. He’s had varying levels of success for the other photo subjects in this ongoing project. Link -via Metafilter
How long did she work at the mill? Did she finish school? Did she have children? How long did she live? Could she have living descendants? Had she been aware of Hine's famous photo? That's what Elizabeth wanted to know - and at that moment, so did I. As a historian, author and genealogist, I had experienced the excitement of the hunt and the elation of turning over the right rock at the right time.
Manning found what he was looking for in the case of Annie Card, and it’s a fascinating story. He’s had varying levels of success for the other photo subjects in this ongoing project. Link -via Metafilter
Amazing how a single photo lauched this modest woman into eternal remembrance.
It's fine to all pat ourselves on the back about how wonderful the world is without child labor, but remember, child labor is alive and well outside the Western world. There is a reason that the shoes we where are so inexpensive... Kids are still doing all the things they did in Hine photos (same ages and working conditions as well) only now it is in Red China, Vietnam, Honduras, Africa and a host of other places. The only difference is that the US factories where this used to take place have long been shuttered and we just import the same stuff.
Today we can't get off our fat butts except to go to Walmart or Taco Bell wearing clothes and shoes made by children in Asia who are the same age as the kids in the photos as Sid mentioned.
Something is really wrong with this world.
I know I'm preaching to the choir. Just needed to rant.
:)
Oh, wait (checks cheap Wal-Mart shoes). Dammit, made in China ... never mind!!!
http://www.janetbates.com/janet-bates-bio.html
Thank you for your interest.