Every Friday The Psychogenealogist shares a "pic of the week." The intent is to provoke thought and imagination about the spaces where psychology, genealogy, and history converge.
The pic for January 13, 2017 is a stunning imagine of three young young girls from South Carolina around 1910.
At first glance this is a group of stern faced young girls in ragtag dresses and aprons. Their stares are strong and piercing. The image came from the wonderful Library of Congress photo galleries on Flickr.
It has been one of the most reacted to pictures posted on The Psychogenealogist Facebook page.
The caption provided on the original image states: "Josie, six year old, Bertha, six years old, Sophie, 10 years old, all shuck regularly. Maggioni Canning Co. Location: Port Royal, South Carolina. (LOC)"
These girls shucked oysters. For a "living." Many hours of the day.
They, along with many other children in the early 1900s were subjected to harsh and unfair treatment without the protections of the child labor laws that we know today.
The photographer was Lewis Hine. You can find some more of his photos and learn more about his background here.
As you think about your own family history ask yourself:
- How did my ancestors make a living?
- What were the childhoods of my great-grandparents like?
- What are the girls in this photo thinking? Feeling? Where did they go in life?
- How do the work experiences of our ancestors impact our own sense of work ethic, motivation, and duty?
- 100 years from now how will history judge they way we treat our children today?
Do you have a favorite story about the children in your family history that you would like to share? I would love to hear from you. In the meantime, please consider subscribing to The Psychogenealogist below!