One of my projects this summer is to take my parents' photo albums and try to put them into new, clean albums in chronological order as best I can even though Mom and Dad aren't here for me to ask questions. How I wish I had asked more questions when they were alive. We looked at photos together, but usually focused on our own family and not pictures before my parents were married. Most of the photos are blank on the back side so I have no clue about people or places.
This photo is a mystery. It isn't that interesting. But I still wonder about it.
Who took it?
What is it? (besides the obvious)
What is behind the rock wall?
When was it taken?
Where was it?
Why was it taken?
Was it a special place? Did they just happen on it and think what a lovely picture this would be? I don't think pictures were taken then so casually as they are today because it cost money for film and developing. Therefore, I think it has some special meaning.
Both my parents lived in the country in small town, Arkansas. When we were kids, we visited our relatives often and on the drive between one set of grandparents in one town and the other set in another town 30 miles apart, we would pass through a place that really was nothing ... no buildings, no homes, just a dip in the road and a sign that read "Spring Valley." At that point my parents would look at each other and say "Spring Valley."
Hmmmm. I think this picture is set somewhere in Spring Valley. Maybe they were just visiting the site and remembering the people who had lived in this place. Maybe they sat under the shade of that tree holding hands as they talked about their future together. Maybe they talked about where they would live, what they would do, how many children they wanted to have. Who knows? All I know is the picture has no meaning except to them. I will never know. My aunt did not know. She said if it were her, she would just throw it away. But I will save it and put it in with the photos I have of their courtship.
11 comments:
it is a beautiful picture of a peaceful setting. the photographer was standing under a tree or shrub. You see some leaves in the left corner. And behind the stone wall, I see a pole. Was there barbed wire? The edge of a meadow? I would not throw away this picture!
Have a nice day!
I am so blessed to have had time to sit with my dad and mom and go through old photos. We did write on them so we know approximate years and who the people are for most of them. I am scanning in the old photos to share with family and getting rid of the actual photos. You have quite a project ahead of you, redoing albums. Those you shared with us are wonderful. I too wonder about landscape shots and the whys and whats of them. You are right about film and expense. Most photos have people in them. Keep us posted!!
Such wonderful photo's! How I can relate though. Soo many of my mom's old pictures I am not sure who they are, where they are or why they were taken. All of the ones of her through the years we did FINALLY get into a book that I had printed for all 6 of us. SUCH a job. I keep thinking I want to get an album of old pictures for each one of my kids together, and get rid of the hundreds of old pictures we have. I haven't printed pictures in years unless they were going into a frame to be displayed, but there are still soooo many. Hope I pull that off some day. Have a good day!
interesting
I understand your regrets. My grandma taught a one room school house in Kansas and I would give anything if I could sit with her and ask her questions. My grandpa worked for the Acheson, Topeka and Santa Fe railroad. What stories he could tell! I wonder at times when I see old photos - who the people are, what is going on and why was it taken. Loved reading your post today.
That is definitely a mystery! Would be awesome if you could find out. It looks like an interesting spot.
Ohhhhhhhhhhh I love a mystery!!! I would say start at Spring Valley/Arkansas River and perhaps ask people if they have ever seen something like this?
Are there other relatives that could help you get some answers?
What about sharing it on Ancestry.com? If you attach it to your parents' listing and put your questions there, maybe someone knows at least where it is, if not more of the story.
I love old black and white photos. I agree with you....I wouldn't throw it away, either, because does have a special meaning, whether you know what it is, or not. Wonder if it was a place they had hoped to start a home someday? Or where they shared their first kiss? ;-)
I wouldn't throw it away either. Have you heard of http://deadfred.com/ ? People share photos there. If you post it there with the info that you do have (your parents name and whatever else you do know), maybe someone would recognize the area and be able to help you.
If it were me and I were anywhere near this Spring Valley area, I would drive through looking for a scene that matches that in the picture, kind of like a really fun scavenger hunt with meaning. :)
Also, looking through books about the suspected area might bring forth a picture of the same area.
I think investigating this photo (forensic genealogy) would be a great adventure. :)
Have a blessed day!
Oh I couldn't ever bring myself to get rid of the original old photos! There's just something so wonderfully connecting knowing that you're holding a photo that your great-grandmother held before.
Have a blessed day!
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