Saturday, September 8, 2012

SEPIA SATURDAY

Every now and then, I pour myself a cup of coffee, shuffle into my office and settle down in front of the computer for some Blog Time – not to write and post on my blog, but to search for interesting blogs that others have posted.

A lot of what’s out there doesn’t interest me in the slightest, but a lot of it does. Occasionally I’ll stumble upon a blog that grabs me by the throat, and when I do, I create a shortcut for a folder on my desktop so that it’s easier for me to go back and visit again and again.

Sepia Saturday is one of those throat-grabbers.

Sepia Saturday is a blog hosted by Alan Burnett and Kat Mortensen. I’m not at all certain where they really are in the world (that’s one of the wonderful things about blogging), but from their spelling and word usage, I’m guessing they’re “across the pond.”

Their message is simple, yet hugely important: we have a responsibility to preserve not only photographic documentation of our ancestors, but also social documentation – the stories of their lives and their contributions to the society in which we live and to the people we have become.

Each Saturday, Alan & Kat post a photograph. There’s usually a theme (or several themes) connected to each photo: bicycles, occupations, time, hats, doorways, etc., and bloggers from all over respond to that photographic theme by posting photos of their own on their own blogs! You can follow those responses through links on Sepia Saturday’s site.

Go to: sepiasaturday.blogspot.com

Today they posted a great 1901 shot of a man and his two sisters; in turn, I offer a 1912 photograph of Margaret Sylvester Gould and her five brothers, one of whom -- the one sitting in the chair on the right -- was my grandfather. The boys are Howard, Allen, Richard, Prescott and Gardner, and they lived in Newton Upper Falls, Massachusetts.




24 comments:

  1. Hi there, Deb. I'm your newest follower and a first-time participant in Sepia Saturday. I think it's a great idea. I like very much your contribution to the fun. Such a handsome family, and the bow in the young lady's hair is quite remarkable! Thanks for sharing this.

    The Overnight Bestseller
    http://michaeljmccannsblog.blogspot.ca/

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    1. Thanks, Michael! And I had just visited YOUR site, too; this Sepia Saturday site is simply wonderful...I hope we can spread the word!

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  2. The bows have it! What an interesting story.

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    1. You're so right, Karen, about those bows! And this is pre-Shirley Temple, too! Glad you stopped by...

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  3. Now I wonder how Margaret fared with all those brothers. Was she spoiled, or teased? It's a lovely photo!

    By the way, I'm not sure whether you know that you have 'word verification' switched on. People often aren't aware until someone tells them! Most of us have got rid of it with it no ill effects. it does make commenting on posts rather difficult.

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    1. Thanks for the heads-up on word verification. It should be off now!
      I remember Margaret very well! She was the youngest of those six children, and my grandfather was the oldest. I'll probably post more about that crew at some point!

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  4. Hi Deb, I am a recent Sepia Saturday adept myself and also from across the pond, be it a few miles further east. Ever since I run into so many interesting sites which I would never have found without Alan's themes.
    With regard to your picture, I am always surprised about the technical quality of these pictures in those days. I mean, it is so well focused. And of course it is an attractive group of youngsters!
    Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Morning, Peter (and a soggy one here in the State of Maine)! I, too, am amazed by the quality of old photos -- so sharp, so clear. It's kind of a shame that we rely so heavily on advanced technology to produce an equally fine photograph -- is this a discussion we all should be having?

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  5. And indeed word verification is off :)

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  6. I'm greatly enjoying your process as you do in depth research on your topics. The colored pencils for example, who knew? Although I've never been a fan or research of ancestry.com, I get excited reading your posts. Hopefully it energizes me to do more research myself

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  7. Welcome to Sepia Saturday! New folks in this group quickly turn into old friends. Thanks for joining us.

    Kathy M.

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    1. And thanks to you for having me! I love Sepia Saturday, and expect to jump in whenever I relate to a post...

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  8. That's a great photo. I like that the photographer gave each one some breathing room. Welcome to Sepia Saturday.

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    1. Thanks, Wendy -- and I'll be sure to visit your blog for an in-depth look! I liked all your three-person photos for Sepia, and since I'm a genealogy lover, I'll visit often.

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  9. That is nice the way there is some space in the photo. Kat is in Canada :-)

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    1. Canada? Well, that explains "favourite" and other spellings...thanks for letting me know!

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  10. Welcome to Sepia Saturday! What an attractive family you have. This is such a nicely done photo for 1912. I love Margaret's bow and the way she's seated in the middle of her brothers. If she was the only girl in the family, I imagine she was doted on and looked after by her big brothers.

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    1. Goodness...I was ten years old when Elvis released Hound Dog! I remember that my mother was positively scandalized by it all...I, on the other hand, loved it (of course)!

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  11. A lovely photo, but immediately I'm struck by the fact that there is no mother in the shot. Was she deceased? Or was this a photo taken for her as a gift?

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    1. Oh, the mother (my great-grandmother Frances)was alive, as was the father. They were a photogenic lot, and I have many shots of them all, including a group one that was taken about 10 years before the one I posted here --I'll post it sometime for the fun of it!

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  12. Hi Deb, thank you SO MUCH for stopping by to visit me today. Your words are healing and mean so much.

    Hugs to you,

    Kathy M.

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  13. My daughter is the youngest of our three children and for many years was slightly in awe of them. If your Margaret is the youngest of six I wonder how she fared. Impressive family.

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  14. From what I understand, Bob, she held her own pretty well. My grandfather (who was the oldest) adored her (she was the youngest)...and I remember being aware that they had a special bond when I saw them together as adults! She had a long, rich life.

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