Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Just a Few Photos


It is 6 degrees this morning, so I am taking advantage of Chicago's killer winter to organize my husband's family's archives.

Think of it as photo scrap-booking 150 years in the making.

This is not hyperbole.

For reasons I have yet to discern, the JPs and their relatives (by blood and marriage) were huge on recording events with a camera but not down with photo albums.

The Christmas I sent my mother-in-law three white albums so she could fill them with her wedding pictures (1946), she chose to use them for her Europe vacation pictures (1990).

So we have inherited a tonnage of photographs, though keep in mind that what we have represents one-third of the total accumulation. (My sisters-in-law have their respective mountains.)



Once we got home with everything, the question was who/what/where/how to begin (and not get discouraged).

I decided surnames would be the easiest sorting system, followed by a best-guess chronology. 

So I started to flip pictures into boxes. Many, many boxes. Henry and Sarah, George and Hannah, Charles and Jennie, the farms, valentines, the unknowns.




I began with what and who I knew -- Betty, my wonderful mother-in-law.


Next came my father-in-law. (He was a great guy.)

A week later, I was up to 1946. Progress.


The top of the bench, my accidental sorting system, represents the 1950s. The 1970s is on parade on the floor out of camera range (which explains why I'm doing this in the basement.)

And then there is the late 19th to early 20th century stuff.

By the time this little project is completed, there will be 3, maybe 4, albums in all.

Of course, there is the newspaper collection. And the genealogical information.

They may have to wait until winter 2014.


Naperville Now participates each week in Mrs. Matlock's Alphabe-Thursday. Read what other Alphabe-tarians are writing about the letter J.



16 comments:

Johanna Johnpeter Hutson said...

Funny, I spent today doing some of the same organizing. I didn't do albums, I just did stacks and containers. Someday, I'll catch up to you and do albums. And we'll get together and identify pictures. Love you---

Sarah said...

Wow....that is wonderful. Thanks Sue!

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

What a great way to pass the cold weather. It was 4 or 5 here this morning, but I had to drive to work!

yikes...

Pamela said...

I love organising and sorting things, so this would be right up my alley!! :) Enjoy!

Vintagesouthernlife said...

Looks like you've made good progress. I had the same thing on my to do list for Jan. I need to get started!

carol l mckenna said...

You are one ambitious lady ~ great organizing ~ creative work ~

(A Creative Harbor) ^_^

Stacia said...

I love old photos. Good for you for taking this on! Your present and future family will be so glad you did!

Leovi said...

Yes, it's very nice, I love old photos.

debra @ homespun said...

THAT is alot of photos! Old ones are alot of fun to view, though! :)

VBR said...

I absolutely adore old photographs. With modern digital cameras taking over the old ones will be very much a thing of the past very soon. But, boy, those old photos, the paper, the sepia tones, the black and white starkness, they just add so much to the images. I think it is wonderful that you have taken on this project. I collect vintage photos of children and dogs mostly, (if anyone needs some for art projects, just drop me a line, I will gladly scan and send) and it is sad to see how many of these photos have no identification on them. That you are making sure this does not happen to your family treasures is so wonderful.
Loved this J post!

Along These Lines ... said...

Used to live in Chicago. Still haven't warmed up.

Lady In Read said...

i have some of this to do too..:) what a great way to spend time indoors...

Kathy and Freddy said...

I am always amazed at the projects you start, and actually finish! This is a great one.

Judie said...

i have a photo box for each grandchild, and one day i'll do what you are doing!!

Unknown said...

And you even found a prom picture of me, wow! Thank you!

Jenny said...

What a project..If a picture is worth a thousand words, than you have at least a dictionary... ((winkwink))

All the work is definitely worth all the Joy the finished product will bring...

I always find it fascinating going through old family photos(sssshhhhhh, the rest of my family can't know about that)...

Great Job for the letter J...

A+