Family Tree

I have to admit I am a big fan of family history (mine and others). I write charts, search out headstones! ... its very addictive once you start.

Yesterday I spent an afternoon with my parents and persuaded - with out very much arm twisting it has to be said - mum to get out the case of old photos. I've brought a pile home to scan on to the computer at some stage.

Photos spanning years - some of me and my sister as toddlers and babes in arms. my parents in their youth, their parents and their grandparents. Every photo of my Welsh Great Grandfather has him wearing his hat "they did back then" Dad tells me in explanation, and every one of my Great Grannies wearing dresses, usually covered with a an apron of some description. You just knew that they'd been called away from scrubbing the floor, or churning milk or making cawl to have their photograph taken.

My ancestors can not lay claim to any great wealth or position in society, but every photo shows them seemingly happy, joyful. While photographs of my husband's ancestors - who could lay claim to wealth and social standing, they all without exception look serious, glum, as if the weight of the world rests on their shoulders and that breaking into a smile would break the camera lens.