to a certain extent and in some way this seems correct however, it is also 
vague and needs qualification if it is to be of most use....granted it has 
some use....but not as much as it could were it qualified either defined as 
a date range or a cultural "mind set" or world view...

Conrad

-----Original Message----- 
From: Lockhart, Bill
Sent: Wednesday, August 24, 2011 1:40 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: turn of the century - vaguely

Sorry to pop in so late.  I am on sabbatical this semester and only in the 
office periodically.

I propose a paradigm shift in the way we are approaching this subject. 
Historically, at least within my lifetime, the term "turn of the century" 
was ONLY tied to the shift from the 19th to the 20th century.

Admittedly, my primary research focus is on the period between 1870 and ca. 
1950, so there is some bias in my paradigm.  However, I do not recall seeing 
the term used historically for any other period -- including today.

Thus, to me, the term would always indicate the shift between the 19th and 
20th centuries and would not need any qualifiers.

Bill





Bill Lockhart
Professor of Sociology
New Mexico State University
Alamogordo, NM
(575) 439-3732


>>> Melissa Diamanti <[log in to unmask]> 8/19/2011 8:45 PM >>>
I know my original question about the use of the phrase "Turn of the 19th 
century" or "turn of the 20th century" to mean c.1900 would generate lively 
discussion and a few chuckles. But I'm not concerned in this case with 
whether the century in question began in January 1900 or January 1901. On 
the contrary, I'm looking for an easy way to refer something that is shown 
in a historic photograph.  the best I can pin it down is that the photo was 
taken some time between the 1880s and the 1910s. So I would like to use a 
vague term for the feature shown in the photo, like dating it to the "turn 
of the 20th century."  But it's the qualifier that has me stuck and looking 
for a consensus on how to use the term.Looking for a consensus among 
archaeologists?!?! I must be nuts.I'd still like to know what term others 
might use in a similar context. So, have at it.Meli