Several bloggers that I follow have recently posted historical family photos - blasts from the past - and this inspired me to dig out some photos of my family.
I don't have many as my mother took most of them with her when she walked out on us back in the 1970s, however, this one is of my great grand mother and some of her children.
She had a pretty tough time of it back then, living in London's East End and losing her first husband early in life. I admire her strength of character and I seem to remember her as a fierce person, although this may not have been the case as I was very young when she died.
I think my grandmother may be the girl at the far right.
My maternal grandmother went through a similar thing and with the hardship they just got on with it. We don't know we're born do we?
ReplyDeleteThe stories my uncle told me made me realise how lucky I am.
DeleteThanks for sharing JayCee. It's good to remember our ancestors.
ReplyDeleteThanks northsider. I love to look at old photos and the expressions on the faces and try to imagine what they were thinking. I wish I had been able to speak to them too.
DeleteI love old photos but life was certainly very tough back then as it was for my maternal grand and great grand parents.
ReplyDeleteOh yes. I can't imagine how I would survive those conditions. I feel very lucky.
DeleteI have a massive abundance of old photos. My main problem is the lack of annotation of many of them.
ReplyDeleteYes, I don't have many but of those I do have I am not sure who they all are without my parents' guidance.
DeleteI know it is almost fifty years too late but I would still like to say how sorry I am that your mother walked out of your family home. An injury like that never heals completely.
ReplyDeleteThank you YP. It is something that still hurts to this day, not least because of the damage it caused to my Dad who never got over it and turned to alcohol in his grief. I always regret that his life was not as happy as he deserved.
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DeleteMarvellous photo! Certainly worth treasuring. The things women had to contend with in those days boggles the mind.
ReplyDeleteThanks Chris. I love the expression on her face. I understand that she was quite a character and did more than one moonlight flit when she couldn't pay the rent.
DeleteThose children look quite startled 😏
I read your sad tale on Rachel's page. People who behave in such selfish ways have no idea the effect it has on those they leave behind. I can only say how very sorry I am for you. Cro x
ReplyDeleteThank you Cro. You would think I should have got over it by now, after all these years.
DeleteI have also recently been preoccupied with pre-war family history in Germany and discovering sad stories that nobody has ever talked about. I am sorry for you for your sad story.
ReplyDeleteThank you Yael. My story will be as nothing compared to the things your family must have gone through in those bad times.
DeleteSo sorry to hear that your mum walked out, JayCee.
ReplyDeleteYour great grandmother must have had a really tough life.
xxx