Hi Janet , Many thanks for the offer of help , but that is my problem ...There is no photographers name on the reverse . The only distinguishing mark on the reverse is a picture of a lady standing next to a pillar , with a ship and a building with a flag flying on top in the background . Only one of my relatives as far as i know , went to America , so if i could just prove the photo is American then I know this is my man . So I was hoping that someone somewhere , would have a photograph with a similar backing on it , taken in SF between 1852-1869 . I was surprised to have no replies to my original query . I think my ancestors offices were at Clay Street , so he may have had the photo taken at a photographers near there . I think I will just have to keep scouring the web . Thanks for the offer Best Wishes Carol