Hi Louise, Since the ad is from 1888, W. T. probably means Washington Territory. Rockford is in Spokane County. I have a professional family portrait of my grandmother's family taken outdoors at their Stevens County farm about 1910, with everybody all dressed up (neckties, etc.) and posed formally in front of the house. By about 1920, though, my grandma had a box Brownie (cardboard case) that she used throughout her life, even though her sons kept giving her newer fancier cameras. As a matter of fact, there are still itinerant photographers traveling around to small towns. For instance, just a few years ago, there was a photographer set up for a week or so at the variety store in Duvall, offering packages pretty much like at Sears or Penney's. "Have your Picture taken while in good health" was a reminder of the old funeral portraits of deceased children. Joanna Ashmun jmashmun@halcyon.com >Subject: [WASHINGTON-L] Photographers in EARLY WA >Sent: 1/8/98 6:55 AM >Received: 1/8/98 7:45 AM >From: RUBYdakoda@aol.com >To: WASHINGTON-L@rootsweb.com > >Reading this message from B. Manson reminded me of an ad I found in a 1888 >Rosalia Rustler Newspaper. >It says: > PHOTOGRAPHER! >I wish to state that I have just arrived from Rockford W. T. and am prepared >to do all kinds of work in my line at reasonable prices. and below that: >Have your Picture taken while in good health. > >Interesting. That means that before they have studios, there would be >itinerate photographers going from town to town. >I wonder what W. T. stands for? Any ideas! >xxxxxxxxoo >Louise King >La Jolla, CA