Exploring Family Stories Through Photographs
I have always been someone who loves stories and photographs. I spent the day with my cousin and we reflected on our memories of Grandad. Our Grandad died when I was twelve, my cousin, fourteen, and our memories differ greatly. My cousin remembers a gruff old man who would get cross with them for being too noisy as he sat and watched the golf on TV. I remember this amazing man with a wicked sense of humour; I remember sitting with him on Sundays, asking questions about his life and hearing stories; hearing him talk about my Granny Laura whom he loved so dearly.
We were both a bit perplexed at our differing memories, but it shouldn't have surprised us as we have such different personalities. He lived with my family for a while and visited our family more as we were a stop off point on a journey he took regularly. I am naturally happy to sit and read, to ask questions, to look at photographs and talk about past memories. My cousin, on the other hand, has a vibrant and bubbly personality and would often be found tearing round the house with her brothers, playing games and giggling. Added to this difference, my Grandad and I shared similar interests. I loved to play the piano, and he had been a great musician until painful arthritis prevented him playing any longer. Also, my Grandad saw a lot of Laura in me - one of the last things he said to me before he died was "you grow more like Laura every day".
This discussion has made me realise the importance of speaking to as many people as you can about your ancestors. I hope that my Grandad is remembered for his wicked sense of humour. He would get this twinkle in his eye when he was being mischievous. I loved hearing him laugh. I would hate for my cousin's children to only hear about the bad tempered moments of an old man who couldn't cope with noisy children around him.
The photo above is my Great Granny and my Great Grandfather (behind her) on my maternal Grandmother's side. I loved this photo and needed to know more as soon as I saw it. Mum and I emailed my Granny and my Great Aunt to find out more.
The answers we got back from each of them were very different. My Great Aunt is older than my Granny and has a clearer memory of aspects of childhood because of the age difference. Not only that but their answers reflected their interests.
My Great Aunt is interested in science - she was in the RAF (like her father) and gave us the details of the occasion; who they were being greeted by, the position my Great Grandfather had in the R.A.F at the time, and then a compliment of how elegant her mother looked when dressed up.
My Granny is interested in fashion. All my life I have known her to make clothes; to have fashion magazines round the house; to notice the cut and colour of clothes. My Granny remembers her Mum coming to say goodnight before she left that evening. The dress had a flower on the front in the same material as the dress, which was a skirt and top, in a pretty wine colour made by a German dress maker for an event of some kind in Hamburg.
I love that from asking my Great Aunt and Granny questions about a photograph, I have learned the story behind it. But I have also learned about their differing personalities which have influenced the snippets they remember.
When asking questions about your family stories, ask as many people as you can.