By Tyra Jackson

The Selma Times-Journal

A collection of photos dating back to the 19th century may shed light on the lives of some of Selma’s most affluent families.

The Pauline Dinkins Anderson Historic Photograph Collection is being displayed at the Selma-Dallas County Public Library until the end of February.

Anderson was the daughter of William H. Dinkins, a former president of Selma University. The collection is comprised of pictures of the friends, family and acquaintances of the Dinkins and related families. The photographs were given to Anderson from her mother.

B. J. Smothers, secretary and treasurer of the Black Belt African American Genealogical and Historical Society (BBAAGHS) visited the late Anderson one day, and asked her who the people were in the images. She said she had no idea, and that the pictures were given to her.

“When I looked at them, they were obviously pictures from the late 19th century of these middle and upper class black people,” Smothers said. “It wasn’t usual for black people to be dressed that way and to have their photographs taken professionally.”

With the help of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Anderson was able to gift the historic items and photographs to BBAAGHS in 2008. The images were not restored, and they were in varying conditions. The society received a grant from the Alabama Historical Records and Advisory Board to digitize and preserve the photos.

One of the images that caught Smothers’ eye was a photo of a young lady, dressed in a white dress, who’s posing in front of a mirror.

She  said she adores the picture of the unknown girl.

“I don’t know who she is, but I’m hoping someone will be able to take a look at it and identify some of the people in the pictures,” she said.

Back in 2010, there was a viewing held for the photographs where Anderson was recognized.

“[The collection] is a reminder of a time in Selma’s history that we forget even existed,” Smothers said. “It was a kind of golden age for African Americans here.”