Family Archaeologist

Great story -- I love Lisi's relationship with...

2012-05-28T16:09:01.057-05:00

Great story -- I love Lisi's relationship with Mrs. Jickeli. Interesting observations about marriage.

Great story -- I love Lisi's relationship with...

2012-05-28T16:09:00.758-05:00

Great story -- I love Lisi's relationship with Mrs. Jickeli. Interesting observations about marriage.

Thank you for sharing these mementos from your fam...

2012-05-28T14:34:55.803-05:00

Thank you for sharing these mementos from your family in this Memorial Day tribute.

I have to agree with you, Nancy, and thanks for ta...

2012-05-28T10:30:04.323-05:00

I have to agree with you, Nancy, and thanks for taking such a close look. The boys, with their all-white clothing with wide collars and white button-up boots, must be quite uncomfortable.

Whether it's a dog or a wolf (seems the snout is a little short for a wolf) I can't know for certain. Maybe we'll just say canine!

On this day, when we can see family and friends, l...

2012-05-28T09:56:24.459-05:00

On this day, when we can see family and friends, let a flag fly and enjoy the bounty of living in this country, we remember those who made it possible. Will there ever be a day when young men and women will not be called to make those sacrifices? Let us pray that comes sooner than later.

A beautiful and apt posting for Memorial Day, when...

2012-05-28T09:37:25.836-05:00

A beautiful and apt posting for Memorial Day, when we recall these warriors and the sacrifices they made.

Thank you for so eloquently reminding us of the co...

2012-05-28T09:05:32.132-05:00

Thank you for so eloquently reminding us of the courage and sacrifice of our armed forces. Your testimonial vivdly brings home what our troop endure. Katy

How fitting to read this on Memorial Day...Naomi

2012-05-28T08:34:43.589-05:00

How fitting to read this on Memorial Day...Naomi

Linda, are you sure that's a dog? It l...

2012-05-25T22:34:21.584-05:00

Linda, are you sure that's a dog? It looks a little more wolf-like to me....

Aside from the "dog," this photo is so interesting. There's lots of detail to look at (except Lightbox doesn't enlarge). What is the little box between the two boys? Did you notice Lisi's skirt and the detail work on it? Also, I think it's interesting that she (or someone) put doilies (probably handmade) on the box the boys are sitting on.

What a photo!

I know this is creepy but I find myself laughing h...

2012-05-25T14:44:31.362-05:00

I know this is creepy but I find myself laughing hysterically. You see/learn something new every day.

Her entire life, my grandmother, Lisi, never stopp...

2012-05-22T20:18:17.491-05:00

Her entire life, my grandmother, Lisi, never stopped speaking of Mrs. Jickeli with a combination of love, awe, and reverence, which is why Berta J is able to speak so forthrightly to Lisi. First, she was part of an extremely powerful and wealthy family in the region. The Jickeli clan comprised scientists, merchants, politicians, lawyers, doctors, professors, etc. Also, Lisi felt she had learned so much from Berta Jickeli. She had lived with the family for five years, absorbing the incredible knowledge and savvy of this family, and truly loved them as her own. The difference in class, age, and status (boss to employee) gave Mrs. J the right, in her mind to upbraid Lisi, as she would have her own child. My grandmother never resented it, amazingly, and corresponded with her and her daughter, Lisbeth, for 40 and 60 years respectively. Only death ended the relationship.

Thanks for making such a spell-binding tale of you...

2012-05-22T17:42:32.230-05:00

Thanks for making such a spell-binding tale of your family's history. It's especially fun to know more than Lisi's patronizing former employer.

Yes, Marian, If one isn't available to protect...

2012-05-22T15:08:59.436-05:00

Yes, Marian, If one isn't available to protect one's assets, vultures aplenty are ready to swoop in! Thanks for the comment.

The plot thickens! Identity theft has been going ...

2012-05-22T15:04:52.740-05:00

The plot thickens! Identity theft has been going on before credit cards and social security numbers!

Maybe it was a beloved family pet, although I have...

2012-05-21T13:09:32.425-05:00

Maybe it was a beloved family pet, although I have had no pets I would want around the house stuffed! I might take the head out if I was blowing up the two boys but definately leave it in with the baby sitting on it. Yikes!

Thanks to everyone for your comments and suggestio...

2012-05-21T09:46:52.313-05:00

Thanks to everyone for your comments and suggestions--one person, who didn't comment here, sent me a quick version with the dog removed! Thank you! I will probably keep the dog as the original and try to use a simple program to remove it in another I kinda like its weirdness. It speaks of another time, when folks weren't obsessed with presenting their families in ways that would meet with world-wide approval. Jacqi--the balloon idea is hilarious! And my dad, Fred, does look like he's annoyed just to have to be there -- dressed all in uncomfortable white clothes!

I vote for keeping the dog in! It is a little str...

2012-05-18T12:07:37.942-05:00

I vote for keeping the dog in! It is a little strange, but makes for great conversation!

Well, perhaps there are two options: 1) Photoshop...

2012-05-17T23:22:34.001-05:00

Well, perhaps there are two options: 1) Photoshop the dog out of the pic to have a freaky canine-free photo, and 2) Just keep the dead dog in the pic for historical value's sake. Thanks for sharing these most interesting photos!

It's an arresting and odd photograph. I'd ...

2012-05-16T22:12:36.710-05:00

It's an arresting and odd photograph. I'd guess the photographer provided the prop. When Syd got professional photographs a few years ago, the photog suggested trying a few shots with a stuffed parrot posed on Syd's shoulder.

The dead canine has me stumped...

2012-05-16T19:48:04.699-05:00

The dead canine has me stumped...

Insert a cartoon balloon next to Sam's head an...

2012-05-16T17:35:28.625-05:00

Insert a cartoon balloon next to Sam's head and let him tell us. He seems like he has something to say about it.

Yes, this photo is, well, weird if not frightening...

2012-05-16T15:34:21.181-05:00

Yes, this photo is, well, weird if not frightening. What's with these mens' white outfits, a dead dog, stilted postures, etc.? Something looks wrong here and we can all be glad to have made it out. Henry

I would use PhotoShop to remove the dog! :-)

2012-05-16T15:07:46.262-05:00

I would use PhotoShop to remove the dog! :-)

DON'T CROP IT, IT MAKES IT REALLY FRIGHTENING!...

2012-05-16T14:29:02.705-05:00

DON'T CROP IT, IT MAKES IT REALLY FRIGHTENING! SOME PEOPLE POSE ON BEARSKIN RUGS, THIS WAS YOUR FAMILY'S VERSION--PROBABLY EASIER TO FIND A STUFFED DOG THAN A STUFFED BEAR IN CHICAGO!

Peggy and Kathy, I have some baby and toddler pict...

2012-05-15T16:14:32.704-05:00

Peggy and Kathy,
I have some baby and toddler pictures where you know I'm my mom's daughter, but more so as I got older. And, yes, Kathy, our mom's weren't perfect people and all these gooey, sentimental portrayals don't do the mom's or their children any service. All Mom's make mistakes, whether it's overindulgence or overly tough at times. We all have to learn to forgive AND be grateful to our moms.