Every Friday The Psychogenealogist shares a "Pic of the Week." The intent is to encourage thought and imagination about the spaces where psychology, genealogy, and history converge.
I came across these charming Kodachrome photo slides in a lot of about 100 on eBay. They came in two boxes and appeared to be of several different, possibly related, families. Some had notes on the back indicating East coast locales (e.g., Vermont, New York, etc.). Many were labeled between 1952 and 1956. The slide formats also matched what was being used in the 1950s (look here for a great visual on how to date Kodachrome photo slides).
I was particularly struck by the smiles and colors in these photos.
Smiling 1950s couple
Here is the same man and woman, standing.
They appear to be in front of a cake (cutting it?) baked in their honor. Is this an anniversary? Possibly even a wedding? Birthday? Though I did do some post scanning color editing, there was also a very distinct light difference between this one and the first. The second has a warmer, softer glow to it. I like both, but for different reasons.
The third picture shows the same man with a different woman. I love the adoring look in her eyes. Is it amorous? Paternal? Is she a sister? She seems too old to be a daughter, but perhaps?
What do you think?
It would be particularly difficult to identify the actual people in these photos. But, perhaps we can learn something by thinking about some of these questions.
Questions:
What occasion is being celebrated here?
Who are the people involved? What are their relationships to one another?
Who is taking the photos?
How did these photo slides end up in an eBay auction?
What can we learn upon close examination of the trinkets and bric-à-brac, especially in the first and their photos?
What do you think, wonder, and feel as you look at these images from the mid 1950s?
Do you have an old photograph or a genealogical story that you would like to share? I am happy to consider guest submissions for possible Pic of the Week or other blog posts in the future. Send an email to info@psychogenealogist.com for more information.
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The story or James A. Bennett (1842-1920) and his sons of Gouverneur, New York.