Thursday 16 June 2011

Family History

Yesterday Nellie and I helped my Mum collate some family history for her Church group.  As part of the 400th year celebration of the King James Bible the congregation at her church had been invited to take in their bibles to display and if possible to add details of who they belonged to and when they were given or received.

Mum got out the old family bible and found some photos of her Gramam (that's what she called her) and Grandad whom the bible belonged to.  She also got out her bible she received when she was 12 and her Dad's soldiers bible and some small prayer books that he had with him whilst on active service.  Oh my goodness I loved it but I could not stop crying.  I cried when I saw Gramam's photo and my mum said she used to wear the dress in one of the photos to play dress up.  I cried when I saw photos of my Grandad in his uniform.  I never met him as he died when my mum was 18.  I cried when I looked in his bible and read what he had written in it...... 'said cheerio to Lil (my nan) at 4.50'.  He also listed all the places he had been to whilst in the Army and Merchant Navy. The I cried when I saw my Nan Lily's photo.  Oh I was a bit too tearful but I still enjoyed looking at all the history.  Nellie used her whizzy computer skills and scanned in the photos. Here they are:-


Minnie Hobson my Great Gramam


John Laurence Hobson (Jack) my Great Grandad - I can remember my Grandad Jack he was typical yorkshire man, flat cap on but with a suit.  I used to sit on his knee and he told me stories and he used to delight in showing me his finger (he lost half of it in an accident).  I was younger than 4 and can  clearly remember visiting his home and looking at the trinkets on his dressing table.


My Grandad Nicholas Revill who didn't want to be known as Big Nick so for some reason was always called Dick!

He is picture here with his Mum - Grandma Gresham - I can remember her also but all I remember is seeing her in bed in the front room at my Mum's Auntie Minnie's house.  (popular name in those days apparently).


My Nan Lily who taught me to sew and made me and my sisters clothes and toys. I particularly remember a red woollen trouser suit (late 60's) it was so itchy I can practically feel it on my skin now and can remember catching the bus to Sheffield dressed in it .The bus  was one of the ones with the open back with windy stairs at the back with the driver in a little glass cab at the front there was a conductor too with a little ticket machine.

My nan died on the  6 May 1992 exactly 40 years to the day after her husband.

My lovely mum - Lily and Dick's daughter


My Mum when she was about 12. 



Me (far left) with my sister's - why did I think I was fat?  I think we must have been to see someone get married at our local church - can't for the like of me remember who it might of been.  Think it was probably late 80's.

We also included a photo of our children, 7 in total, but I didn't want to post it here without asking my sisters first. 

3 Girls for me, 1 boy for Little Sister J and 3 boys for Big Sister G quite a bunch and all growing up

My dad was obviously before his time as he always used to refer to us as Daughter No 1, Daughter No 2 etc.  Blog speak before blogs were invented.  LSJ referred to herself as The Golden Princess - I have told you that before but thought I would tell you again.  She is 7 years younger than me and 9 younger than my oldest sister so she really was the 'baby'.

Mum was really pleased with how Nellie had done her small family tree and it looked good set out with the bibles.  Lots of people had taken their bibles with their stories and it was really interesting.  There was a service as well but I couldn't stay as I really was emotional and was on the verge of tears all afternoon.  I think it was looking at all the old photos and thinking of my Dad.  





13 comments:

fee @ chipper nelly said...

Oh Debs how lovely - all that history. I'm sure you feel wrung out (rung?) but you'll feel better afterwards for the good old cry!

Minnie looks such a character - in fact they all do!

good work on the photographs nellie
thanks for sharing - I love that kind of post!
fee x

Used-to-Bees said...

What an emotional journey you had with all that family history! The display of bibles and photos must be very interesting. Loved looking at the photos and reading your reminiscences!
x

RDA Pony Tales said...

Seeing old photos and talking about family is always a lovely thing to do, but it is also very emotional. No wonder you could not manage to stay for the service, not sure I could have done either.
Well done to Nellie, a great job, and thank you for sharing your family history. I have really enjoyed reading your post. x

helen tilston said...

What a wonderful, interesting and loving post. All those strong, great family members, who are fondly remembered. What a super idea for your church and such outpourings of love.
Thanks for sharing
Helenx

The sewing room said...

How wonderful to have all of that history to hand,and some one to tell you about the people in the pictures.These are for treasuring forever,and how nice to spend the time with your mom looking back at your famnily history lucky you.


Hugs Pat.

MissGinger said...

That is so lovely, great to have a tree and such wonderful pictures. x

Shortbread and Ginger said...

What a beautiful post! The photographs are wonderful, as are your memories.
Liz

Deborah said...

It's great to have a family tree, I love old photos, thanks for sharing yours :)

Bee happy x
Have a delicious day!

Vintage Jane said...

A lovely post. It is so important to write down the names and facts about our forbears for the generations to come. Not only is it interesting but it reminds us who we are and where we come from. M x

Anonymous said...

Wow, great post, sat crying but trying not to do it so loudly, I dont want H to notice :)

I was in such a tizzy when I got in on Wednesday that I totally forgot it was family bible night.

I really need to see Nellie's family tree, for the life of me I never can remember who was a blood relative of lily, and who was on Nicholas's (or should I call him Big D's) side of the family.
See you soon, love The Golden Princess (LSJ) xxx

Unknown said...

What a lovely post...all those memories, it's no wonder you were in tears. I am passionate about keeping memories alive, even if they make us feel sad, it is more sad to be forgotten xx
Hugs

Daisy said...

The photos are lovely Debs xxx

stuart hobson said...

Hi i think we are in the same tree must meet and look at pics