Hi Annie,
I've had same kind of feelings and images... I've "been" both male and female, in old costumes and known that it's the beginning of 20th century or middle of 19th century etc. At the same time I know it's me and not me. I have the feelings and memories of that person but I know these things have not happened to me.
I know these experiences suggest reincarnation, but to me these images are more likely memories from my ancestors. According to my opinion, children at a very early stage of their development are very good mindreaders. They can not even separate themselves from their parents. So the memories of parents can be absorbed by the child (it's called learning ;-). And the parent can have his/her parents memories in his/her system, so the child can absorb these also! It sounds plausible, and I feel it's right.
Of course my point of view leaves the other options open.
-purjo
