Thursday, April 12, 2012

Snaps from the past

I was looking through some photo albums today and decided to scan some old photos. I love old pictures like these, whether I know the subjects or not.

Here's my Dad on the right, in 1949.


This photo was taken in Egypt, where he was serving with the RAF. I don't know who the guy on the left is. I wonder if he's still alive? My Dad died almost 20 years ago, but if he were alive today he'd be 81.


And here's another man in uniform...


It's my maternal grandfather, Albert Francis Sawyer, who was in the cavalry in WWI. This photo is actually a postcard. I guess they had a bunch of them made up.

And this lady... 


...is my maternal great-aunt Gwen with three of her German Shepherds in Bognor Regis. As I recall, she bred GSDs. My mother said she was a lovely lady.


Meanwhile, back on the other side of the family, we have...


...my paternal grandparents in 1958. They moved to England from Ireland sometime in the 1920s. My grandmother was from Kilkenny, my grandfather from Wexford.



And ooh! Look at that adorable little baby. Yep, that's me, c. 1964 at the Toronto International Airport. From left to right are my Mum, my Dad, two of my uncles, my aunt and a cousin.

And here's my Nanny again, in her kitchen. I have a lot of memories of her cooking in her little kitchen in London.


And back to dogs...


My mother's German Shepherd named Flash, in the late 1940s or early 1950s.

And her other GSD named Mitzi:




And me in 1988, at the beach in Pickering Ontario with my dog Chelsea. Chelsea was the first dog I chose myself and could call my own. She was a great girl and lived to almost 16. We went through a lot together and she was always there for me!

We'll see what else I find in the old photo stash...

PS Check out my poutine review on my friend Ronna's Poutine Chronicles. And if you've got a poutine review to submit to her, she'd love to receive it! The info is on the poutine blog.




17 comments:

  1. These old photos are fabulous. I especially love the one of your Nanny in the kitchen. Oh yes - and the adorable baby in the carriage at the airport is cute too (of course!).

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    1. Thanks Ev! I swear she was always in the kitchen, unfiltered Players in her mouth, dishtowel over her shoulder, cooking something yummy! :) She died when I was 12 and I still miss her. She used to sing Irish songs to me.

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  2. Of course, the dogs! I loved seeing the pics of your family. Makes me wish my family took more pics.

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  3. Fantastic photos and brilliant memories - little bits of frozen time! Chelsea looks like another of those dogs who knows exactly what is going on when in front of a camera.

    My parents wanted to breed dogs but all they could manage was children and the RSPCA said that they had to keep us anyway.

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    1. They have rules about those things, unfortunately! ;) Can't randomly sell the children!!

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  4. There is nothing better than the old black and whites. I have tons of them too and should show some of them off. I love the one of you gran in the kitchen. What is it about grans and kitchens that just make you feel good. These are all fabulous. Your dad looked like a real charmer and a fun guy. Keep 'em coming. Deb

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    1. He was, Deb! I still miss him, 20 years later.

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  5. Love, love love these. Isn't it fabulous to see where we come from? I'm inspired to post some of the black and whites I have..though only a few copies because my parents have them all.
    Thanks for sharing these memories.
    Jane x

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    1. My pleasure, and I will scan some more soon!

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  6. We just finished scanning and printing some old photo's of Dave's Mom for his dad to have :). I love the fashions that some of them wore back in the 40's and 50's.
    Love you pictures
    Hugs

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    1. Thanks Johanna! Weren't people stylish back in those days?

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  7. I love recent history in pictures. It gives us a sense of personal history that many of us seem to forget.

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    1. I love them too, and you're right! So much history in our photos.

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  8. Really like the 1964 picture. What cool styles! Ya you guessed that was my age!!! Your pictures also tell a story of your family history. When my wife was a little girl they went to Bognor Regis for holidays.

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    1. The guys were all wearing suits! My Mum was a very stylish dresser for most of her life. I did NOT take after her in that regard. :)

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  9. I found your site, when looking for pictures of Bognor Regis in the 1950's. I am currently compiling a book and seeking holiday photo's within Bognor Regis and also people's memories. I hope you don't mind me asking if you can assist.
    The old black/white/sepia pictures seem to evoke more memories. thank you

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    1. I would be happy to, Sylvia. WHy don't you email me at the address in my profile info? (Up on the right, under "View my complete profile")

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Thank you for all your comments, which I love to read!