Genealogy Chat

Can anyone shed any light on this old photograph? It was in a collection of family photographs, which came from one of my sets of grandparents, but I'm not sure which ones. The photograph itself is of a very flimsy 'hansom cab type' coach with large wire wheels - solid thin tyres - if you know what I mean, being pulled by (presumably six), but I can only see four (!) horses? Look more like mules to me?! There's someone sitting in the 'driver seat' at the front, and two men and one woman in the type of dress I would think dates back to the late 1800's or very early 1900's, standing by the side of the coach. The scenery looks pretty desolate - looks as if they may be travelling through a canyon? On the back written in ink is 'The famous "coach and six"' - and there is some more writing, but in pencil, faded and very difficult to read. What I think I can read is:- Quechisle coach leaving (two unreadable words) Carlos Naverro (three unreadable words) I've been puzzling over this photo for about 30 years, not knowing what it is, whether there is any family connection, but not wanting to get rid of it! Can someone give me any idea as to what this refers? Please?! I'm only guessing, but I would think the photo was taken in either the USA or Canada? Have any of you out there got any suggestions? Janet

Obviously, everyone's just as puzzled as I am about this one! Can anyone suggest where I could take this photo to get it identified? Janet

Yes I am stumped too!! Have trawled round net but can't find anything. Why not send it in to Fam Tre Mag or similar - I know one of them does a little feature on identifying a different photo each month. Let us know how you get on please. Maz. XX

Thanks for your interest Maz! A very good suggestion too - I'll give that a try - thanks, but I'll have to buy a magazine first! I'll certainly keep you updated. Regards Janet

Hi Janet, Its got me a little intrigued, I have had a search around, and the only thing I have come up with is a restaurant called - 'The Coach and Six'....the advirtisment pictures a black coach with six horses. The address of the restaurant is - 1776 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309 and the phone mumber is: (404) 872-6666. Well I know its one heck of a long shot, but it might be named after your 'Coach and Six', perhaps Atlanta is were it originated from?!?! Unfortunatly there was no email or website address...but if you are inquisitive (and dont mind long distance calls) you can always phone and ask why it is names The Coach and Six? Sadly, thats all I can contribute...good luck with your search, best wishes Sarah ps) the web address that I found it on is - www.studyworld(.)com(/)culinary(/)Coach(-)and(-)Six(.)htm

Thanks Sarah! All ideas gratefully received - my first real lead! Janet

well its a pretty strange lead...but with genealogy, u just never know! Good Luck!

Hi, I was fasinated too,could well be Mules, having worked with horses all my life would know if only I could see pic!! I put, mule train, into Google came up with 22000 hits,also put, coach and six mules, 6000 + hits, on first page I clicked on,stage coach days in indian territory,interesting,good luck,Liz.

Thanks for the lead, Liz. Here is an update for everyone who has shown an interest in my puzzling photograph. I've had a look at a number of sites, following Liz's lead, and decided that my photo is probably a stagecoach. Apparently they originally used mules as they thought horses wouldn't be able to cope, but then they switched over to horses. I've found a website dedicated to the history of overland stage coaches, and they had an e-mail address for comments and enquiries. I've e-mailed them a copy of my photo - front and back - to see if they can help me identify it. I'll let you all know the result when I hear from them. Can't wait! So excited! Janet

Janet This has got me intrigued too! I also came up with the restaurant in Atlanta, but also there is apparently a town in Vermont named Queche. I tried all sorts of combinations and wild cards but could get no closer than that. My husband (who thinks I'm quite mad anyway) says I have enough mystery in our family tree without worrying about anybody elses! You can tell he's not a GC member can't you? Good luck in the search and please keep us posted. Sue at Langley Vale

I found the place in Vermont too and thought it might be the spot when I saw they had a 'gorge' as a tourist attraction. Then realised Vermont would be a bit too green to fit in with the photo. There's also a county in Texas which has a similar spelling, Quecheste. Think the Qu word will have Spanish origins so Texas would seem a bit more likely. Carlos is definately Spanish.

Any news yet Janet? That town in Texas sounds like a good match for your Que word! Maz. XX

Just thought I'd get this back to page one! Sue at Langley Vale

Saw something yesterday about that county in Texas, gone back to investigate further but I can't find it now. Just typed 'Texas counties' into search engine and there isn't one beginning with Q! It's gone missing! Perhaps it was an historical county that doesn't exist today? I will try and find it again.

Sorry - no news yet! But still searching. I'll report back later. Thanks for your interest. Janet

UPDATE Have had a reply from the USA. This is what they say. "Thanks for sending that photo. That is an interesting photo. Those are definitely mules. It looks like the terrain in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona, Idaho--or even Mexico...... but could be anywhere. I'm not that familiar with the landscape east of the Mississippi. I'm going to print out the back side of the photo and ask a couple of folks their opinion on what's written. These kinds of mysteries are fun and interesting to work on! Perhaps those pictured are your grandparents on some exotic trip to America..... Then man and woman are certainly well dressed for a stage ride in that desolate looking country side." She's also given me details of a couple of other people to contact who should be able to give me more information about the coach itself. Will let you know the outcome. Getting REALLY excited now! Janet

Keep at it Janet! Theres an answer waiting for you somewhere out there! Keep us updated! Best Wishes Sarah

Thanks for your good wishes Sarah, and to everyone for their interest and support. I've sent the photo out to the two other stage-coach companies in the USA, one of which seems to be in the business of restoring old stage-coaches and wagons, and constructing reproductions from the original plans from a variety of makers. If they can't give me some useful information, then I don't know who can! I'll keep you informed of any developments. Thanks Janet

Just making sure this doesn't get lost! Sue at Langley Vale

Just an update for everyone. Have heard from one of the stagecoach companies, who said 'nice photo, but sorry no info'. Still waiting to hear from the other one. My original contact in the USA is still trying to find out something for me. So I'm not giving up yet! Janet