Wednesday 16 June 2010

This photograph was taken by my Dad in 1955. It shows my Mum with her Mum and my two brothers. They are pictured outside a Convalescent Nursing Home in Herne Bay where my Nan was trying to build her strength before a stomach operation. Her name was Mary Martha Harper .... or, Martha Mary Harper. Apparently even she wasn't sure of her own name. Nobody knew her real age either because, in those days, you lied about your children's age so you could get them working and into 'Service' earlier. I was really shocked when I learned that was what had happened to my Nan.
My Mum and Nan were very close. My Mum was the youngest of several sisters and half-sisters and during the war, when they were all evacuated, my Mum refused to go and stayed in London to look after her Mum who was already in poor health.
Strangely, I was tempted to call my daughter Martha when she was born. We chose Hannah instead. Had I known Martha was my Nan's name, I would've more likely made that choice. Hannah wouldn't have been pleased.

16 comments:

  1. I love this project you have started - we are the memory keepers aren't we? This blog is a wonderful tribute and I love that you are sharing it with us. Bravo!

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  2. Fab picture, Penny! Thanks for sharing :)

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  3. I am really going to love your new blog as I love old photos and family history too. Thanks for sharing and what a good start with Martha Mary and your 1st photo!
    Jo x

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  4. I love old photos and history, looking forward to the next post :) My Uncle too had his dark room developing his photos and had a cine camera - these films have been transferred from cine, to video to DVD, hopefully we can keep transerring them as new equipment is devoloped. I am 53 and yet I can watch myself as a baby in a pram on DVD, what they did is so precious to us now :)

    Carol x

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  5. I love the sharing of these stories. They show how life really is - was. I also want to take a moment and thank you for your lovely comment on my 1000th post I truly appreciate it.

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  6. Super picture, Penny. Your Dad planned this beautifully. I love the family history behind the picture. Looking forward to more pics, xxxx

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  7. What a fabulous photo, & a great idea to showcase your dad's photos Penny! A lot of our family history is in Herne Bay, My great aunt had a B&B on the seafront, and my nan & grandad retired to Herne Bay. I spent many wonderful holidays with them! My nan's name was Martha Gertrude, Beth wouldn't have liked that either! Lol! My nan also didn't like it, she preferred to be called Pat!
    Alison xx
    btw, it was angelina fibres on my card!

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  8. I love it when family names get muddled - there are lots of Emilies, Marys in our family - my Great Grandmother was Rosa Hannah Edwards

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  9. What a great post for your new blog. I love the idea of sharing old photos and family memories. Best of luck with your endeavor and I will be following

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  10. You're a treasure! Such a great idea... and to share with all of us!! JOY! :)
    Love your first post~
    Wishing you all the best,
    Michelle

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  11. a great piece of your family history to launch your new blog. so wonderful that you will be recording these memories and keeping them for your family, and for us all to relate to! xo

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  12. What a wonderful photo, Penny, and all that family history to go with it.

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  13. Penny this is going to be a great undertaking - the photo is great and the history behind it so illuminating! How our ancestors lived - we don't know the half of it! But (hopefully!) you're going to discover some of your story and we get to share it a little too! x x

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  14. What a lovely legacy your father has left you. I am glad the photos don't just stay in a dusty box high up on an old shelf. Thankyou for sharing the story and for visiting my blog. Sorry it took so long for me to return the visit, I have been sidetracked by a sick son!

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  15. What a joyous thing you're doing! First time here, but it won't be my last.
    There are so many stories that need to be told, especially with the vintage photos.
    ~blessings~

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