I LOVE old photos. I enjoy looking at them and studying all the details. The clothing, hair styles, and backgrounds are some of the things that intrigue me. I was looking at some of my old pictures and came across this one that I found interesting. This is my Maternal Grandfather Arthur E. Mortensen’s class picture taken in 1921 (88 years ago!) in Holtville, California. This was the year he turned 11.
Was picture day “Serious” business? Were they told to be still, stiff and not to smile? Or were they miserable? Or maybe just good manners? Check out the bow on the side of the girls head. (second row fourth from right) Now that’s one huge bow. Some children have hearts pinned to their chests were they awards? The boy on the front row far left looks like the kid you wouldn’t want to mess with. The young man that is the “Cool” kid is second row second from left sitting next to the kid with the big ears. All of the girls dresses are really baggy and look like they belonged to their older sister or were they made big so they would last longer or maybe they were just being modest? Now my dad told me he was always the boy wearing over-all’s. He said over-all’s labeled him as the “Poor” kid and there are some boys wearing over-all’s so I’m assuming they are the poor ones. The girl I wouldn’t want to mess with is on the back row fourth from the left. Now the two boys with their arms linked together? They are the buddies that get into trouble together and make everyone laugh or are they related? The one on the left is actually grinning but I did notice the pens in his pocket so is he a nerd? Oh which one is my grandpa? Back row far left with the white tie. He doesn’t look much happier than his class mates. These kids would be 17 – 19 years old when the great depression hit. What trials did they endure? I would love to ask him about this picture but didn’t see it until after he died.
One more old photo of Grandpa Mortensen. This was taken the same year in Santa Clara, California. I do remember Grandpa telling me how he loved to ride his bike. I love the hat! He’s so cute.
Sometimes you can't help but smile
9 years ago
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4 comments:
I love old pictures. I always get sad when I see them for sale in antiques stores as I would think the original family would want to hang onto them.
I pop by and read your blog everyday. You have a beautiful family and are an inspiration as a wife and mom. Thank you sharing!
You have alot of work to do lady......you better get to crakalackin! These are really neat photos for sure! Man how the times have changed for the bad.
I love the old photos too. Did you know there were a lot Mortensens that were members? Just an interesting thought! It is funny how often people who have joined the church later find out there had already been members in their background. My mother-in-law did that years after she had joined and had some pretty negative reactions to it.
I love your memory mondays....especially these old photos...I, too, can get lost just by looking at old photos and just reminiscing of those times and what it was like then....the class photos are a hoot...were they not suppose to smile? I mean...seriously...there's one person in that picture that kinda smiled but the teacher behind him looked too dang serious to notice...how funny!
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