A Box of Old Photos

Posted on by Rebecca C.

My parents love to stop at antique stores and little thrift shops. Recently, they came across a box of old photos and postcards. They absolutely made my day by giving me this box. I felt like it was Christmas. I am slowly sorting through the material. I thought I would share one of the photos with you.

Written in pencil on the back:

Kate Sheffield

3 Nov 1911

The photo does show signs of age. The man in the photo is unidentified which of course makes me want to know who he is even more…

Until next time…peace

 

March is Women’s History Month

Posted on by Rebecca C.

The month of March is dedicated to women in history. I am thankful for all the women who have come before me to provide the rights that I have today. From Amelia Earhart to the women of the suffrage movement, I could go into great detail about the women I admire. But I like to share photos of women, I have come across through a variety of sources. Some of the women are related to me, others I have just found while sifting through stacks of old negatives. These are just everyday women who I believe deserve recognition. I wish I knew more of their stories.

These are just everyday women—–mothers, daughters, sisters and friends who I believe deserve recognition. For the ones I never met, I wish I knew more of their stories.

Flossie was a surgical nurse. She was trained after witnessing my grandfather getting hurt. The doctor thought she handled herself well and suggested the medical field. She was born in 1899.
Flossie was a surgical nurse. She was trained after witnessing my grandfather getting hurt. The doctor thought she handled herself well and suggested the medical field. She was born in 1899.
The Ladies in the Band
I wonder if they traveled with the band or if it was a once in a lifetime gathering?
Driving Cars
Her first car? First drive?
Happiness should always be shared.
Happiness should always be shared.
Searching
Searching–I wonder if she ever found Dottie Deweese. Was she waiting outside a bus or train station?

 

Margot & Boys

Posted on by Rebecca C.

The photo reads Nordhäuser Straße, my German is limited. I do use Google translate for the rest. But I believe this is in reference to a road in Erfurt. If I am wrong, I apologize.

The writing on the back continues to read:

“Hi, this is the town my uncle lives in in E. Germany. He met us at the station July 10. We are all well-seeing many scars of the war years and taking many pictures. All the houses are of stucco-no wooden framed ones. My uncle’s house is very nice—modern and a few bullet holes outside from the war years. Will write again. Margot & Boys.”

I wish I knew more about Margot and her boys. I am enjoying this last bunch of photos and negatives. I find everything interesting with a slight hint of mystery. I am hoping to learn more as I finish this series of photos.

Until next time…peace

Old Negatives

Posted on by Rebecca C.

As I work through some of these recent negatives, I am completely intrigued by the people who are in each frame. The outer envelope reads the photos belonged to “Lois Oakman” from “No. Quincy, Mass.” I absolutely love this photo that I am sharing. I do not know the story of the photo. Noticing the door is ajar, I would like to think she is going on a vacation or perhaps her honeymoon.

I admit I get lost in these old negatives. I find the photos to be inspiring. I use them to as a stepping stone for my writing. Perhaps, some day I will actually be able to speak to someone who knows the real stories of the photos.

Until next time….peace….

Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day

Posted on by Rebecca C.

Today, December 8, 2015, is “Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day”.  Who has not thought about living in a different time, either past or future? I think, this is why I love old photos so much. I get a glimpse of time forgotten. Times not recorded in history books. Just everyday life being experienced by everyday people.

On a Train?
I have always loved this picture, I imagine him asking her to marry. I know, I am a hopeless romantic.
Working on a Plane
Working a plane?
Nurses
Nurses on vacation.
Military
Boarding a ship.
Hotel Federal
A hotel in a warm climate. Maybe someone went on their honeymoon.
x1
Just enjoying the outdoors
x5
Playing at a park

 

 

x4
Just relaxing

 

So if you had a chance to time travel, where would you go?

Until next time….peace

Old Slides

Posted on by Rebecca C.

I have been working on some old slides that I recently bought. When I picked up the boxes, they read: “my European trip”. I am really interested in these photos. I am hoping to find out more information as I continue to turn them into images. But I thought I would share a few to see if anyone can recognize the sites or provide other information.

I would assume this is a private airport or small air strip.
I would assume this is a private airport or small airport.

Another set of the slides focused on a tennis match. Now from the names on the back of the billboard sign I am able to read some of the names. I cannot tell which court, they were playing on. But from the names, I was able to figure out the slides were probably from the late 50’s or early 60’s.

a3
Outside the tennis stadium? Does anyone know the recognize the building? I do not have any knowledge about tennis.

 

 

a4
Tennis Match

 

 

I will share more as soon I finish turning them into prints.

Until next time….peace

 

 

 

 

30 Days of Thanks- Days 19 & 20-History & Vintage Negatives

Posted on by Rebecca C.

For the last two days, I have been lost in old negatives.

So, today, I will play catch up on my days of thanks. I am thankful for my love of history and vintage photography. When I receive a box of new negatives, I tend to get lost in the faces and places which is why I am behind on my Days of Thanks challenge. I love the old photos; the small glimpses into the past. I wish I had more knowledge of places.  If I knew local geographically places better, I could possibly identify some of the photos.

I thought, I would share a couple of my recent finds. I cannot wait until I get through the entire box.

I do not know for sure if the photo is a father and daughter. But I like to guess.
I do not know for sure if the photo is a father and daughter. But I like to think, they were out enjoy the day together.

Have a great night.

Until next time…peace

 

Farmer

Posted on by Rebecca C.

I am curious about this old photo like all photos I come across.  What I assume about this photo……

  • The gentleman is a farmer.
  • He is either water or fertilizing the plant.
  • Another option, the plants have a bug or slug; the farmer is applying a pesticide.
  • The area looks dry.
  • I like the fence around the garden which would aid in keeping bunnies away.

Other than that, I have no other ideas on what the farmer is doing. If he is watering each plant, the task would be time consuming.  The garden appears to be a large one.

My Favorite Vintage Photos of the Week

Posted on by Rebecca C.

Michigan has been displaying typical winter weather this week which means I have stayed indoors more than usual.  Even though I keep myself pretty busy with my writings, I have had extra time on my hands.  So, I turn to my stacks of negatives and slides to change them into digital prints.

These are six of my favorite vintage photos of the week.  Since there is another snow storm in the forecast for the weekend, I am certain I will have more favorites soon.

The main image (featured image) shows three children playing on a bike.  I love everything about this photo. I am assuming they are all girls just spending time outdoors together. The girls seem to be enjoying themselves.  The laundry hanging in the background is definitely a sign of the times (even though I hang my blankets out on the clothes line in the summer months too).

x5

 

The photo of the children on the swing brings back memories.  My siblings are younger than me. They use to sit on my lap while I would swing.  Of course, that was before swings came with child seats and safety harnesses.  But despite everything that could have went wrong by swinging two on a seat, we still had a good time.

 

x4

 

This is one of the older photos that I have redone.  The negative was most likely from the late 60’s or early 70’s which corresponds with the way with the young men are dressed.  They just seem to be “hanging out” in a park.

 

x3

 

I am bad with uniforms, but to me she looks like a military nurse.  I like her smile. Perhaps, she was on leave or maybe she just received her credentials to be a nurse.  I know the possibilities are endless.

x2

This photo looks like a family gathering of sorts.  I love how the boy in the front has a big and somewhat fake smile.  While the other boy in the background is giving “bunny ears” to the boy who has no idea.

 

x1

 

Two young girls on a wooden swing.  I love everything about this photo.  I am considering having a swing like this built for my photo sessions.  I really like the idea especially with the fence in the background.