#TBT: ‘Hold on there, youngin!’
It’s Throwback Thursday, and that means it’s time for me to showcase another favorite family photo. I have many portraits of ancestors, but very few snapshots … I like the more candid moments because they tell such a story that portraits really can’t.
This is a photo of my 2nd great grandfather, Winfield Scott Douglas and his wife, Margaret. Pictured with them are their grandchildren, (from left to right) Floyd, Goldie, and Leta. These are my Grandpa Raines‘ oldest siblings. This photo was taken in 1906 in Murphysboro, Illinois, on the porch of the Douglas home at 313 S. 3rd Street.
My grandpa and his son, David, look a lot like Grandpa Douglas … minus the beard. In fact, I would easily mistake my Uncle David for Scott Douglas if they were standing next to each other. My family has strong genes; we all look like twins!
Notice how Grandpa Douglas is holding Floyd’s arm down. I only mention it because this is something my own grandpa would have to do with us sometimes. I can just hear Grandpa Douglas saying something like “Now, hold on there just a minute, young man. You better hold still for that camera!” I imagine his voice sounded much like my grandpa’s, too.
My mom and I resemble our Aunt Goldie (the baby), even my baby picture looks like her in this photo. It’s uncanny.
I love Margaret’s dress. I’ve been told she always wore black. Judging from Goldie’s age, they would have been dealing with the heat of a southern Illinois summer – hot and humid!
Family history research is an amazingly gratifying hobby, especially when photos from times long forgotten are still around. It’s an odd comfort to know from where (and whom) you came, and to see their faces staring back at you from over 100 years ago makes you realize just how connected we are.
