My great grandfather, George, as judge of a springer trial.

 

And a few of Louise’s father, Earnest.  There is something hilarious about old pictures of people in bathing suits, no?

I appreciate the dark and mysterious traveling salesman air in this one.

Earnest in the middle.  The guy on the far right is pleased as punch with his hand of cards.

 

My great grandmother, Louise Heideman, and her mother, Mary Louise Heideman.  I believe all of these are from 1919.

 

Because a couple of the main albums that I’m using in this project are passed down to me from my great-great aunt Clementine, there are a whole lot of pictures of her and her first husband, Larry.  I know very little about them other than that they lived in Michigan, they were super outdoorsy and crazy about dogs.  They never had children, but they always seem super happy, and like they would’ve been really fun people.  Here is a small selection of photos of Clem and Larry.  Go ahead and tell me you don’t want to be their friend.

On their wedding day.  June 20, 1928.

In Cuba, 1929.

Patch, Clem and Bing.

Bing and Larry.  This picture makes me laugh.

Larry and Bing.  Tired from killin’ all those birds (also pictured).

 

My great grandmother Louise Heideman (later Ladd), with her brother Edward Heideman.  My mother still talks about how loving, kind and generous this woman was; she died two years before I was born.

 

My great-great aunt Clementine, her husband Larry and their dog, Bing.  I love this picture.

 

James and Victoria Ladd.

Is it terrible that my mind went here?:

 (copyright Grant Wood)

a little?

 

The aforementioned photograph of mysterious ladies dressed in black.  New information suggests that this is an early photograph of my great-great aunt Clementine, who generously donated all of these pictures to my great grandfather many years ago.  It was taken in 1906; I believe, from right to left, Victoria Ladd (nee Austin), Clementine Ladd, my great-great-great grandmother (unsure whether this is the Austin or the Ladd), someone named Louise, and a still mysterious lady in black — maybe a sister of Victoria?  This picture was printed onto a postcard, from Victoria to her husband, James:

What I can make out reads: Here we are.  Are you not glad to see us?  We thought you might be.  So you will — so look ——— until we come

And here is an alternate shot (with labels):

 

Victoria Ladd on her wedding day?, 8 February 1898

 

Jim and Victoria Ladd, Sylvan Lake, 1926