Regina and Lydia Crosswell were born on September 24th, 1894. Their father, Arthur Crosswell, had made his fortune in the garment industry, and the family lived on a large lakeside estate in the town of Evanston, north of Chicago. The girls had an older brother, John James (known as James). The Crosswells’ first-born, Arthur Jr. (born in 1889), died of a fever at eleven months.

The girls were schooled at home by their Governess, Katharine Rennick, and spent their leisure time frolicking in the large garden to the north of the house. By all accounts the girls were inseperable and rarely left each others’ side. The constant companions had seperate beds but would often be found sleeping together in Lydia’s bed come morning.

After their 13th birthday, their father brought them to the studio of Dr. Charles Addison to have their portraits made. The images show the sisters to be remarkably identical. Even with identical twins, one expects to find subtle differences in facial shape and proportion. But Regina and Lydia appear so alike that the only distinguishing feature is a small mole above Regina’s right eye. Tragically on January 7th, 1908, Lydia Crosswell was discovered dead, lying in the frost of the Crosswell estate garden. The cause of Lydia’s death was unclear, and remains so today.

Regina Crosswell however claimed to continue to see her sister for several months, often referring to Lydia in the present. This troubled her parents, who first sought medical help. At the doctor’s suggestion, Arthur Crosswell decided to have a new family portrait made by Dr. Addison to help Regina accept her new family with only one daughter.

Regina Crosswell appeared to be a willing, even enthusiastic, participant in Dr. Addison’s successive photographs. Not much is known about the Crosswell family after this point. Arthur Crosswell died in 1923, his wife followed him two years later. Regina Crosswell eventually married, but was widowed in the first World War. She later owned and ran a restaurant on Chicago’s north side. She died in 1954.