Could these be my grandfather’s Scottish relatives?

QI believe this photograph shows my Scottish ancestors on my grandfather’s side of the family. My great grandmother was unable to identify them, but said they could be her mother’s family, the Welches, who originated from Scotland. Can you tell me what date this photograph is likely to have been taken and whether there are any other clues as to who the family was? Michael Barnish, by email

AThis extended family portrait probably dates from the 1870s. The style of the mount, with slanted writing on the back, was typical of this date, as was the use of a painted studio backdrop with limited interest and the clothing of the sitters. This decade saw huge expansion in Barrow-in-Furness. The population doubled in ten years with an influx of workers (particularly from Ireland and Scotland), who came to work at the iron and steel works, the newly built jute mill and the docks. There were several photography studios operating from the town, although I have not been able to find any further details about “Chester”. His categorisation as an “artist” as well as “photographer”, suggests he thought of himself as more than merely a technician, and the novelty format of the photograph – in landscape rather than the more usual portrait orientation – might back this claim up. Alison Toplis