This week, the theme word is "Family Photo", given to us by Amy Johnson Crow of "Generations Cafe", https://www.facebook.com/groups/generationscafe/. I have thought all week about which of the dozens of family photos I want to use. I finally decided to use this one, of George Andrew and Ella Busby Springer, taken about 1909.
This photo is special to me for several reasons. One, George and Ella were my great grandparents. My grandfather, George Aubrey Springer, is the young man standing in front of the window in the photo. He would have been about 16 years old when the picture was taken. I also love the complimentary photo of the house, with everyone basically in the same positions. It is my understanding that traveling photographers went to farms and, for a fee, took photos of the family and their homes. I think this is awesome!
All of the others had already died when I came along.
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| From left to right, 3 STANDING MEN: William A Pennington, George Aubrey Springer (in front of window) and John Robert Springer. SEATED AND STANDING in 2nd row: Lena Springer Pennington, Philip Springer, George Andrew (father), Ella Busby Springer (mother), Raymond Springer, Mattie Kirkland Springer (John's wife), FRONT ROW: Rudolph Arden, Irvin Delford (baby), Ruby Springer and Doretha Springer (in chair) |
These photos were taken at their home in Ellis County, Texas.
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| George and Ella's home, with the family gathered for the photo |
Another reason I love this photo is that it shows the children at different ages. I have the birth and death dates of everyone in the family, but to see them side by side, the age differences are much clearer. When I knew Ruby and Doretha, the younger daughters, they were both elderly and about the same size. In the 1909 photo, I can see that Ruby was much older than Doretha - actually 10 years. That difference never really dawned on me until I saw that picture. And when I did, I said, "Wow!"
My grandfather, Ruby, Doretha and Rudolph are the only ones I knew from this family. Raymond is also in this photo, but he died in 1956, when I was only 3 years old.
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| L-R: Rudolph, Doretha, Philip, Ruby and George Aubrey (my frandfather). |
But, I guess my favorite reason, and why I chose to use this one for today, is that it is the ONLY known picture of the little baby, Irvin Delford Springer. His presence is what makes dating this photo pretty easy. Irvin Delford was born August 16, 1908 and died June 4, 1909. He is buried near his parents in Midlothian Cemetery, Midlothian, Ellis County, Texas.
Another favorite photo of the older four siblings is from about 1896.
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| (Back) Lena and John; (Front) Aubrey, Irma and Ruby |
This one is very special, too, because it is the only known photograph of Irma Springer, the baby in this photo, who was born October 11, 1895 and died January 30, 1897.
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| Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Ovilla, Ellis County, Texas |
I am grateful for all of the family photos I have been privileged to see and care for of all branches of my family. I know it is rare to be so blessed. And that is why I had so much trouble choosing just one to share!
'Til Next Time!
#52Ancestors
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