Here is a family photographed by a traveling photographer or a friend of the family who was skilled in the art.
The Man is holding what appears to be a dead baby but the infant look to be sleeping I doubt that he would have such a great smile if that was the case.The family looks to have been photographed outdoors and most likely on the side of the house where this family lived.
Viewing the Past 
Would be a rather sick family to be smiling like that with a dead baby in their midst! I’m going with sleeping too! Lol!