I think it was taken in 1919 near Montreal. The squinting girl on the right is my mother, the curly-haired boy my uncle. The baby, Ruby May, didn't make it. By the time this picture was taken, her twin sister, Ruth, had already died, probably just before this photo was taken. Ruby lived for the best part of another two years, succumbing in July 1921. Those were hard days.
These early deaths are part of the reason why my family is so small. Also, my Uncle Charlie (the boy in the photo) didn't marry and died in his fifties: not only that, but my father was an only child, and so am I. Sheesh! There are some relatives but I'm not close to any of them — either in terms of geography or relationship. I think more and more families are like that nowadays, but we're smaller than most.
However, more than once I have said: "We're a small family but a great family."
There were a lot of young deaths back then, sad for the families. I like the photo, it speaks of long ago. My husband's Aunt recently did their family history in a book (they go back to the Mayflower) and it's full of old pictures and stories. It's a facinating journey.
ReplyDeleteIs she squinting or making a face at the camera?
ReplyDeleteI think I see a resemblance between you and grandpa.
I can't help but feel sad for your grandmother. How sad to have lost two children.
ReplyDeleteHolidays always bring the memories of the sacrifices of our ancestors. It was sure tough times back then.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine losing a child, let alone two. As Bonita said, tough times indeed. That is a great photo though. I am bringing some of my family photos back with me from my dad's to scan. What software do you use to make them look so good?
ReplyDeleteLove the photo, sorry about the sad story behind it. Hard times indeed.
ReplyDeleteThis serves to show just how precious is life, and how wonderful, and blessed your family really is.
ReplyDeleteSeems to me you're doing just fine on that photo repair. Your sorting this out will be nice for 'smudge' when (did we decide 'she'?) starts asking questions about her forbears. Yes, small - but great-ly loving. That's more than enough.
ReplyDeleteGood to have quality, not quantity!
ReplyDeleteLife was so difficult back then. Children often died due to simple maladies like flu or other infections.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how those wee babes met their end?
Man, it just reminds me of how good we do have it these days.
ReplyDeleteWe are truly blessed!
All - Thanks for the comments. Indeed, times were tough: moreso for some than others, and I think that it was not easy for these folk.
ReplyDeleteNorma - Apparently, my mother had problems with her eyes in the early years. I guess she always did, but she was somewha cross-eyed back then.
Laurie - I confess that I'm a Photoshop addict.
Dale - I'm not sure about the cause. Maybe no one was.