My favourites are the old Victorian era photographs, the fashions were so elegant and elaborate and often the ladies hats were completely over the top, with some so huge they were almost cart wheel size. Nothing could be further removed from the dainty fascinators that the modern women wear today.
It is amazing how many photos that come to light are unidentified. They are found in old photo albums without a name or a date or a place to bless themselves with, and the current generation of relatives who are putting together their family tree haven't a clue as to who the people are. If there is one thing I have learned from this it is to label your pictures, don't rely on your memory because sadly as we age our memories start to fail and then we don't remember either.
It was that thought that caused me to write this , and when you are naming your photos don't forget the family pet. People never seem to think of them but to their owner, even though may be gone to God, that dog, horse, cat etc was no doubt much loved and played an important part in their lives.
PEOPLE LONG
FORGOTTEN
Maureen Clifford ©
The girl was
only five or maybe six - the years fly fast.
Age seems to
cloud the memories with a haze.
But she sat on
the carpet beside Granny’s rocking chair.
Together they
explored the good old days.
Her Gran, now in
her nineties, was slowly turning pages
and pointing
out the things she liked to share,
whilst musing
over pictures, those taken through the ages;
one clawed and
birdlike hand smoothed the girls hair.
With age some
prints were mottled and others badly faded
and some folks
features now were indistinct.
Whilst some
were set on cardstock and elegantly portrayed,
others were
simple ones with edges pinked.
They showed
people in places the small girl had never been.
One showed a
massive ship tied to a Quay.
Your
Grandpa’s ship, the ‘Melbourne’ before her fateful trip
that
saw, she said, your Grandpa lost to me.
Some photos
were of horses, sheep and boys with working dogs,
and small dogs
alongside young girls gowned in lace,
and ladies
with the biggest hats that you have ever seen.
Young men with
scratchy whiskers on their face.
Many wedding
group photos, some quite simple, others grand
and family portraits
- all posed in their best,
with suits,
shined boots, long dresses, with stiff whalebone in their stays.
Folks all departed
to their final rest.
The little
girl moved closer for something had caught her eye.
Who are those people there Gran? What’s their name?
Who owned the dog - do you know? Where was the picture taken?
I know that house but it’s not quite the
same.
Her Gran held
the book closer to the light and peered within
and turned a
page or two and then went back.
She stared
into the distance and then once again she looked.
Try as she
might the puzzle would not crack.
I don’t recall Jess darling, just exactly
who they are
though
I knew them, of that fact I am sure.
Her brow
became frown furrowed and distress showed in her eyes,
her voice had
become shaky, immature.
They’re
people long forgotten; now nobody knows their name.
It
wasn’t written down in black and white
for
future generations seeking a name, date and place
when
researching their history as they might.
It’s
something to be mindful of when pictures you might take
one
can’t always rely on memory.
It’s OK Gran, the small child
said , I’ll never forget you
for safe within my heart you’ll always be.
***
And every album has shots taken
at Christmas time don't they ?
These kids must have been waiting for Santa.
Photo taken around 1956
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