8/26/11

Golden Moments In The Stream of Life

The golden moments in the stream of life rush past us and we see nothing but sand; the angels come to visit us, and we only know them when they are gone. ~George Elliot

I liken this quote to the time I've spent in the last few months researching and documenting my Family Tree.  I invite you to view my collection of Vintage Photos and read the 'Stories' I've posted here on CollectInTexas Gal and on My Family Heritage Blog...Tracks of My Texas Ancestors. 

From my Collection of Vintage Photos, I've been drawn to the portraits of children.  Studying them in detail reveals much about their place in the family like this big sister with the big bows tied kind of cockeyed around her braids.
 
I imagine her Mama fixed them all straight and spiffy before the picture was taken, but back then getting your picture taken was like going to church...puttin' on your Sunday Best and Sittin' Still through lots of 'Hellfire's and Damnations' when you didn't know what that meant except that it was Hottern'Hell in all those SundayBestin's!

And then there's the 'Camera Contraption'!  Can you just imagine what Big Sister was thinkin' about the Camera Creature who spoke from under the Three Legged OneEyed Smoke Belchin' Contraption?  No wonder she's reaching for baby's hand!  "It's all right baby.  I'm your Guardian Angel."
Just look at this 'Sweet Angel' in the 'PinTuck Ruffled and Laced' Dress.
Now, one of the things I've discovered in studying 19th Century photos is that just because the child is wearing a dress doesn't necessarily mean it's a Girl Child!

For instance...in this Family Portrait of my Great Grandparents taken about 1899...
you'll notice that four of the five family members are wearing dresses.
I'll start on the left with names: 
Great Uncle Meritt Douglas, Great Uncle Othello Elisha, Great Granddaddy Steven Bennett, my Grandmother Effie Estella and Great Grandmother Martha Jane.
(Boy Howdy, did I come from a bunch of  'Off The Wall Named' folks wearin' dresses)

Several years later...beginning of the 20th Century...there's one more child in the Great's Family Portrait.
And Yep, it's a Girl Child named Mary Ella wearin' a dress. 
Standing next to her is my Grandmother Effie Estella wearin' a dress.
And those guys in Knickers?
Yep, it's Merritt Douglas and Othello Elisha!
Don't you know from the look on their faces they are thinkin'...
"Our Mama MADE us wear these 'SissyShirts'!!!

So here we are in the middle of the 20th Century where parents sat their kids down on the ground on an old blanket from the trunk of their '1950 Pink Nash Rambler' and said 'Say Cheese'!
So I did with my whole face.
 My brother Tommy thought he said, 'Freeze', and baby sister Sonja, well, her first word was...Cheese'!

Well, Ya'll that's my 'Bit of Pinkness' for this weeks Pink Saturday!
Be sure and stop by Beverly's at How Sweet The Sound and honk at the rest of the Pinkies!
You can take the Nash...the horn works!
And As Always...Thanks Beverly for Making Saturday's Pink!!!

20 comments:

  1. My brother had an orange and black Nash. I loved the way it looked! It reminded me of a tickle bug!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love old family photos...these are priceless...

    ReplyDelete
  3. What fun photos! Priceless indeed! The pink Nash rambler is the perfect touch, Sue. Happy Pink Saturday!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Gosh it is interesting how we have changed through the years and what we wear. Wonder why the guys were wearing dresses?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Yup! I love the photos also ... of way back when. There are many a boy in our collections wearing dresses too. Do you ever wonder 'why'? My genealogy family photos are my priceless treasures ... as obviously are yours. Rarely a pretty smile seen ...

    I remember the Nash ... oh, mercy, time telling of me.

    Have a wonderful weekend.
    TTFN ~
    Hugs,
    Marydon

    ReplyDelete
  6. Now this was soo fun - loved your "cheesy smile!"

    Leann

    ReplyDelete
  7. What wonderful photos -- i especially loved the little angel. What a gorgeous face!

    ANd ... yours of course -- only kids are that innocent.

    Great post and thanks for stopping by.

    Claudia

    ReplyDelete
  8. The eyes of the children are so beautiful - and your great grandparents are so young, themselves. Wonderful photos.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Sue,
    I just loved seeing your old family portraits. Wonderful and fascinating. Our family members have some funny names too, but I think yours tops the charts.

    hugs
    Sissie

    ReplyDelete
  10. What wonderful pictures! I love the interesting names your family members have. I must say that the car tops my pink limo from last week's post!! lol Now to wear my bright pink wellies and ge in your car....ooooh a girl can dream pink? lol Happy Pink Saturday sweet friend. Grace xoox

    ReplyDelete
  11. Loved seein your back in time pink feature today. Some point in our lives all we have left is memories and hopefully lots of photos. Treasures forever.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Happy Pink Saturday! It is a treasure to have these wonderful family photos - studying them is fun! Great car! Have a great day,
    Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  13. Are all of these pictures of your family? If so, you are very lucky to have them. I cherish the few in my possession.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great pink post...fascinating photos from long ago!!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. These pictures are a real treasure .. Thanks for sharing them with us this Pink Saturday.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Funny how children were dressed back then. I knew that was you too! Cute! You are so lucky to have all those photgraphs and know all their names. We don't have much history about our family.~Ames

    ReplyDelete
  17. Loved this Sue! The pictures are wonderful and your words are priceless!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi Sue, Your comment on my LUSH post cracked me up. I took those photos with the names when I could because I too thought they were a hoot. Especially the black stockings. I think we have the same sense of humor.
    I enjoyed the family history as always. the children in the vintage photos always get my attention. Love the photos of you and the pink Nash automobile. Nifty car. Your Baptist beginnings also hit my funny bone.
    Except when the arrest happened. Smile. Love your stories and you.
    Jeanne xo

    ReplyDelete
  19. Sue, I so enjoyed meeting your ancestors. The pictures are priceless. You are so fortunate to have them. Yes, they dressed strangely at times. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us! Enjoy your day! Twyla

    ReplyDelete
  20. Happy Pink Saturday, sweet Sue. Girl, you always have a smile here to share with us.

    We are really into family genealogy, too, and I have so enjoyed your posts. I love that sweet smiling face you have, and if I were you I would be glad my name is Sue. Those are quite some names in your family. We have some of those, too.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for your visit & comment. I'd love to return the visit...please leave your LINK or click on over and comment on Where Bluebonnets Grow.