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The Family Album, (Pics From the Past ONLY)

OLD photos ONLY, Family ONLY,

Featured Work

Swings And Roundabouts (circa 1960) by Mike Oxley

Mum and Dad on the roundabout at the park in North Berwick, Scotland. North Berwick was our favourite day trip destination and also a frequent holiday spot. Taken by my Grandfather, “Pop” Gillies / Kodakchrome slide.
No Streets of Gold by Nadya Johnson

I believe this is the only photo in existence of my grandfather on my mother’s side, Stephan (pronounced the Russian way—Step-AHN). I don’t remember him too well because he passed away when I was 10. I do remember, that he used to sit at the kitchen table in Chicago playing Solitaire, often staring out the window – especially in the spring when the big catalpa trees just beyond the alley were in bloom. I used to ask, “What is he doing, looking out the window all the time?” They always told me, “Thinking of the Old Country. That’s what he does.” No wonder, looking back… he came from nobility in Russia, but got himself in hot water with the family when he married my grandmother, Anastasia. She was a peasant on his father’s land. That was Unheard Of! And, unacceptable. For that indiscretion, he was summarily disowned and sent packing – to Moscow, as I recall. They did not remain there though, having heard about the fortunes to be made in America. Well, we all know the story.. “Streets of Gold.” Whether he believed that I don’t know; but my grandmother did – or so the family always told me later on. Upon arrival in New York, so the story went, “she cried for weeks.” Whether due to disappointment, I can’t say… Before she left the old country, two of her children died from flu. Anthony and Katherine were their names – one was three and one was four. Stephan had gone ahead of her. She was expecting child #3 when he departed for the States. By the time she got to England the baby, George, was six months old. When she arrived at Ellis Island having missed the Titanic, as the story went (because the baby caught the measles thus delaying her for two full weeks – they were put in quarantine), she had just the baby – the other two were gone – and when Stephan learned the tragic news, it was said he promptly keeled over in a faint, from shock. I have not been able to determine if she was really booked aboard the RMS Titanic but the year was right. She came to America in 1912. Later, my grand-dad used to say his “stupidity had saved his life.” That’s because when the Revolution came in 1917, most of his family were killed. If not for breaking all the rules and marrying a serf against his father’s wishes, he’d have been there too, no doubt. This was not taken in Chicago where they lived by the time I came along, but in Detroit when he worked for Ford. He tried many different jobs in many different places – including several years in West Virginia in the coal mines. He did not like the coal mines much… “never got to see the light of day,” as my mother put it later on. And after nearly dying in a mine collapse, he pulled up stakes again, returning to Chicago where in time the family pooled their money (everybody worked from 13 years of age and up) and bought a fine old brownstone on the near-west side, which at that period of time was a prestigious neighborhood in which to settle down. I think his heart was always “in the Old Country,” though – - somewhere near Chernobyl, as a matter of fact! Can’t go see it now, but they always told me it was green, forested in birch and pine, carpeted with wildflowers in the spring , and “beautiful enough to die for.” I think that’s why my mother used to cry every time she heard the old Russian song, “The Birch Tree.” She had never even been there! Nor did she ever make it there, even though she always said she’d make the trip. Yet in so many ways, we’re haunted by the mis-adventures of our predecessors- whether we know too much about their lives, or not!
Willy by Gilberte

A blending of Willy and the garden / This is the last photo I took of Willy. / It was intended to be a candid but at the last minute he saw me and smiled.
1944 My wife the Irish Dancer by Woodie

My wife at 13 years old with the local (Forest Hall)RC Church, Irish Dance Group. She is 2nd right standing
Nostalgia by Jessica Jenney

My father as a young man and a little boy / 1914-2007
1937 Anna Marie HARSANT (photo) by Woodie

This is my mother’s cousin’s mother. She was born in Oslo, Norway and she married my mother’s uncle, Harry (Baldwin) GODFREY and she ran the local Gliding Club Private Bar in Cramlington, Northumberland, up until the beginning of WW2. / Note the huge pipe she is smoking!! / 29 Oct 09. / I’ve just check her out on the internet and found out it was her mother, of the same name, that was born in Tonsberg in Norway and she was born local here near Newcastle
Family Outing 1958 by Mike Oxley

My Mother, sister Patricia, yours truly and Trixie, our Cocker Spaniel. Not sure of the location – somewhere near Edinburgh, I think.
Me & my Buddy with Panama Hats 1925 by bdazzled

MCN :: CFASY-487DW-CBEBW / / in - / “Nostalgic Art and Photography” / “Days Gone By” / “Sepia-Toned” and in / The Family Album Nov. 3rd 2009 old restored photo of my aunt and uncle – on stage ca. 1925
She's leaving Home by bdazzled

MCN :: CGP3D-UF3YC-43WT4 / / in THE SISTERHOOD Nov. 1st 2009 / The Family Album Nov. 3rd 2009 My paternal aunt leaving home at 18 years to become an actress (Denmark 1918) Texture frame
Letters from Paris by Jessica Jenney

Photo of a street scene in 40’s Paris. I created this composite from a b&w photo of my mom – 1917-1996

Recent Work

Jimmy "Pop" Gillies by Mike Oxley

1960, outside his business on Ferry Road, Leith, Scotland. My Grandfather – an awfy character. A Veteran of the Great War who survived the trenches in France. He was deaf due to the explosions of the artillery fire. He was a Master Slater, a multi-talented musician and could beat the socks of a bunch of kids at the fitba’. Used to sneak me mints after bed time, take me to the Hibernian football games at Easter Road – till he lost me one Saturday. Mother was not impressed. Kodachrome slide film
WatchaDooin' ? by CLiPiCs

Andy, Drummer with Manchester Band “Lower” / annoying the life out of Rampton (Sound Engineer) / during soundcheck in Cardiff :-) 1996 35 mm film on some crappy £5 point and shoot / / Love ‘N’ Laughter Kriss ♥
Swings And Roundabouts (circa 1960) by Mike Oxley

Mum and Dad on the roundabout at the park in North Berwick, Scotland. North Berwick was our favourite day trip destination and also a frequent holiday spot. Taken by my Grandfather, “Pop” Gillies / Kodakchrome slide.
My Parents in early 40's by Marjorie Wallace

My parents were married in the early 40’s. Shortly after their wedding, they drove across country to live in Maryland and my Dad was a part of the security for the White House. My mother worked for the census bureau. Late in 1942 they returned to Seattle to be with family and to build our home and start our family. This is a treasured photo that I have of them and it graces my wall in an oval frame. For this image, I corrected the color to make it more intense This photo was taken in B/W and color tinted by hand. Top 10 in “Don’t Smile” challenge DAYS GONE BY ~ 4 July 2009
"The apple didn't fall far from the tree" by Marjorie Wallace

My Father had a great love for his cats and over his long lifetime there were many. I remember once when I was designing a window treatment as a house-warming gift for my folks, he and my step-mom carefully thought it over and chose the fabric that was the very same blue that was the exact shade as their beloved cat’s eyes. All of his life he had this special bond with his cats and with all animals. I guess the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.. “To some people, homeless cats are of little value. But to those who are not quite so blind, they are not only precious lives, but also very special beings, blessed with the ability to touch our imagination and lead us into a world of true magic and wonder.” ~ Michael Mountain, President , Best Friends Animal Society A special dedication to Leena and Minny on Friday, 12/12/2008. Leena has a very special love for all animals and rescued little Minnie. She made sure that Minnie got the medical attention she needed and brought her back home where she lives with love and in harmony with her other cats and family members. / Welcome home Minny! Featured in DAYS GONE BY group ~January 2009
1962 Somewhere in Sth Aust. by Woodie

This was taken, according to the writing on the back of the photo that I sent to my mam / “Outside an Aussie pub, 70 miles inland from Adelaide, 1962” / I’ve always thought there was a bit of an optical illusion about this photo, ‘cause if you blank me out the hotel looks smaller. (or I should look much bigger!!LOL)
No Streets of Gold by Nadya Johnson

I believe this is the only photo in existence of my grandfather on my mother’s side, Stephan (pronounced the Russian way—Step-AHN). I don’t remember him too well because he passed away when I was 10. I do remember, that he used to sit at the kitchen table in Chicago playing Solitaire, often staring out the window – especially in the spring when the big catalpa trees just beyond the alley were in bloom. I used to ask, “What is he doing, looking out the window all the time?” They always told me, “Thinking of the Old Country. That’s what he does.” No wonder, looking back… he came from nobility in Russia, but got himself in hot water with the family when he married my grandmother, Anastasia. She was a peasant on his father’s land. That was Unheard Of! And, unacceptable. For that indiscretion, he was summarily disowned and sent packing – to Moscow, as I recall. They did not remain there though, having heard about the fortunes to be made in America. Well, we all know the story.. “Streets of Gold.” Whether he believed that I don’t know; but my grandmother did – or so the family always told me later on. Upon arrival in New York, so the story went, “she cried for weeks.” Whether due to disappointment, I can’t say… Before she left the old country, two of her children died from flu. Anthony and Katherine were their names – one was three and one was four. Stephan had gone ahead of her. She was expecting child #3 when he departed for the States. By the time she got to England the baby, George, was six months old. When she arrived at Ellis Island having missed the Titanic, as the story went (because the baby caught the measles thus delaying her for two full weeks – they were put in quarantine), she had just the baby – the other two were gone – and when Stephan learned the tragic news, it was said he promptly keeled over in a faint, from shock. I have not been able to determine if she was really booked aboard the RMS Titanic but the year was right. She came to America in 1912. Later, my grand-dad used to say his “stupidity had saved his life.” That’s because when the Revolution came in 1917, most of his family were killed. If not for breaking all the rules and marrying a serf against his father’s wishes, he’d have been there too, no doubt. This was not taken in Chicago where they lived by the time I came along, but in Detroit when he worked for Ford. He tried many different jobs in many different places – including several years in West Virginia in the coal mines. He did not like the coal mines much… “never got to see the light of day,” as my mother put it later on. And after nearly dying in a mine collapse, he pulled up stakes again, returning to Chicago where in time the family pooled their money (everybody worked from 13 years of age and up) and bought a fine old brownstone on the near-west side, which at that period of time was a prestigious neighborhood in which to settle down. I think his heart was always “in the Old Country,” though – - somewhere near Chernobyl, as a matter of fact! Can’t go see it now, but they always told me it was green, forested in birch and pine, carpeted with wildflowers in the spring , and “beautiful enough to die for.” I think that’s why my mother used to cry every time she heard the old Russian song, “The Birch Tree.” She had never even been there! Nor did she ever make it there, even though she always said she’d make the trip. Yet in so many ways, we’re haunted by the mis-adventures of our predecessors- whether we know too much about their lives, or not!
The Time I Climbed the Mountain by Nadya Johnson

For years, my mother talked about the time I “climbed Pike’s Peak.” One problem—I wasn’t even born! They made it though, and here’s the proof. Apparently, I was on the way… So far, I haven’t even seen Pike’s Peak because when I was three, they left Colorado Springs and returned to Chicago in search of work. They were doing well in Colorado – my dad was an inventor – but as the story goes, someone stole his patents (watch-making tools). Mom had been a career women then, for many years – a dress designer and master pattern maker – but there was no garment industry in Colorado, whereas in Chicago she knew she could get a highly paid position. Which she did. Still, I often wonder how my life might have gone, had they stayed in Colorado. Very differently, I’m sure! (I’ve been told I didn’t sleep a wink on that entire drive. 5 days, 5 nights! This was long before the era of the Interstate. By the time we arrived, they probably wished they’d left me somewhere on the mountain!)
drive by by anthony dimichele

old photo from an old family album…
The wife swopping club gains an extra member by MikeShort

This picture was probably taken by my Great Uncle Pip in the 1920’s. Pip was the brother in law of my Gran Lil. Our family is from Cheltenham in Gloucestershire. Its a large family – my mum is one of 8 children. I do not know anyone in this photo. My memories of Uncle Pip and his Brownie are from my childhood in the 50’s. I think this a picture of some of the family before evening dinner or after Sunday lunch If anyone recognises people in the photo please contact me. Edited using photoshop and I’ll be adding more later. Your advice on improving quality would be greatly appreciated