Photo Sharing Theme of the Week: Family Gathering

+13 votes
1.6k views

This week's photo sharing theme: Family Gathering.

To participate, simply:

  1. Choose a family photo that fits this week's theme.
  2. Add it to this week's free-space gallery.
  3. Reply with an answer below to let us know which photo you're sharing. If you want to include the photo but don't know how, click here.

The photo you share might be featured on the WikiTree home page and in our social media channels as next week's Family History Photo of the Week.

If you use a social network (Facebook, Instagram, etc.) you might want to share your photo there as well. This can be a great way to involve more family members. Many people love seeing old family photos. Be sure to add #52weeksofphotos and #wikitree to your post.

Also see: Profile Accuracy Theme of the Week: Fashion.

in The Tree House by Eowyn Walker G2G Astronaut (2.4m points)
edited by Eowyn Walker

26 Answers

+16 votes

The family of my great-great-grandfather, Newton Lafayette "Pa" Gentry (centre; fifth from the left) celebrating his 70th birthday on 30 Mar 1941. Pa lived to be 98, & I've told stories about how well he held up over the years elsewhere (within a year of his death, he'd still cut the grass, & at one point was painting a portion of his house). Though the family had its issues, Pa was much beloved by his family, including my great-grandparents (the two to the right of him in the image), grandmother (not in the photo, for reasons uncertain, though she could have been taking it) & father.

I have permission to share this photo, which is in my possession, though two of the people in it are still alive; one of my cousins actually just turned 98 this year, & like Pa, is just as spry as ever.

by Thomas Koehnline G2G6 Pilot (102k points)
This group looks so happy, they remind me of people I know. Thank you for sharing this great photo.
+10 votes

This is a photo of "Grandma Felter's Birthday", from 1908. 500px-Seibel-361-1.jpg

by Mark Weinheimer G2G Astronaut (1.2m points)
Mark, I think I remember this photograph from an earlier 52_weeks theme. Regardless, I am fascinated with the variety of clothing, and the mix of colors and patterns on the walls and floor.
Thank you Mark for sharing this wonderful photo
+14 votes

A photo from the early 1900s.  It was at a Sims Family Gathering in Moweaqua, Shelby, Illinois.

Those in the photo are:
 (seated) my great-grandfather, William Jefferson Sims (1852-1924) ... my grandfather, James "Jim" Sims (1889-1962) ... my great-grandmother, Winnie Julina Tolly-Sims (1860-1929)

(Standing): My 3 great uncles ... Valentine "Vollie" Sims (1883-1966) ... Charles Sims (1879-1956) ... Herman Sims (1877-1947)

by Bill Sims G2G6 Pilot (126k points)
+16 votes

This is a photo taken in 1925 at the home of my husband's great grandparents in Springfield, Missouri. His great grandmother Tinnie, who got her name from the family originally being from Tennessee, is wearing the dress with the dark tie. His great grandfather Andrew Jones is peeking out behind her. Seven of their eight children are in this photo, and his grandmother Audrey is second from the right. 

by Alexis Nelson G2G6 Pilot (843k points)
"If everyone could please just squeeze in a little closer..."

Thank you Bryan for your fun comment. Maybe this is the beginning of the Conga Line or Bunny Hop, which started a few years later.smiley

What a fun photo, Alexis! Quite the family group. Also the photo itself is nice and sharp, which wasn't always the way things worked out in 1925.
Thank you Lloyd for your nice comment, and you are right about the quality of this photo. I have some others from this same family and they are yellowed and not as clear. I can say one thing Lloyd about doing these challenges—I now can recognize members of my husband’s family better than he can.

That's funny, Alexis. Actually I think the same might be true for me, for old photos of my wife's family. But I wouldn't want to put that claim to a test. smiley

Thank you Alexis for sharing this magnificent photos it is gorgeous

I am always looking forward to se your photos sweet alexis
Thank you Susan for your always sweet comment.
Alexis.....As I look at this photo, it takes me back to my time in the suburbs, during the1950s, some 30 years later......every thing looks so new, the men look casual with their sleeves rolled up, it makes me feel as if I could have been there......at first glance, Elwyn, seated looked closer in age to Ellen, but then I realized he was closer, to Deanna.....In her stylish white 'boots'......
Thank you John for your wonderful comment. Doing these challenges has made me realize that Ellen and my father-in-law were only 4 years apart in age, and I have found out that they were playmates. It was mentioned that we could visit relatives of my husband’s family when we were living in California from 1973-77. I now know it was Ellen and her family; I really regret that I did not push my husband to get to know her.
+18 votes

I choose Pamelia Evelyn Galloway Denton family gathering she was my great grandmother , This photo was probably taken in late 1800's maybe very early 1900's before my Pamelia married my great grandfather , Joseph Hiram Denton , In the front row from right to left is Mary Ann Walker Galloway, Orville Lee Galloway, James Samuel Galloway, Robert Taylor Galloway, John Jefferson Galloway, 2nd row right to left , Daisy Ann Galloway Mooneyham, Walter Galloway, Minnie Bell Hitchcock Galloway, standing behind Minnie is her husband George Washington Galloway, Pamelia Evelyn Galloway Denton, Charles Comer Galloway, Joseph Asberry Galloway, Martha Grissom Galloway , The house they are standing in front of is still standing in Quebeck, White county Tennessee, after my great grandparents died the house was sold to another family and is still owned by that family but no one lives it as it is not in living condition , James and Mary Ann had lived in Van Buren county as both their families came from there but had moved to Quebeck in late 1800's , I am not sure as I have not been to one in while but The Galloway family would have reunions every year as I been to a couple back in the 80's when my mother was still living and my children were young in Rock Island, Warren county, TN at a community center at Rock Island State Park 

by Janine Isleman G2G6 Pilot (102k points)
+15 votes

The photo shows the people at the wedding of Paul Rickert and Emma Kruse in 1931. Emma Kruse was one of the eight sisters of my mother-in-law's mother.
The photo is so interesting because it shows my mother-in-law's parents (2nd row far left), maternal grandparents (1st row left of the bride) and my father-in-law's maternal grandparents (2nd row far right).

by Dieter Lewerenz G2G Astronaut (3.1m points)
Thank you Dieter for sharing such a beautiful wedding photo
Wow, that is interesting to have four or five generations of extended family all in one portrait.
Hello Dieter, This is an outstanding picture. Excellent family with an excellent location. The brick background with vines serves to frame the group shot.Thank you for sharing.
Dieter my friend you have so many amazing photos, what a gorgeous wedding photo thank you my friend for sharing this wonderful photo
+14 votes

This photo is of most of my mother's family, Christmas 1950. My mother's second from left, my father third. This picture always made me wish I had brothers and sisters.

by Richard Heritage G2G6 Mach 5 (58.0k points)
My mother has 21 brothers, sisters, half-bothers and half sisters. i can't say there was ever a quiet moment.
Thank you Bryan for sharing such a wonderfully happy photo. They certainly look like they are having a great time together.
Actually Alexis, this is Richard Heritage's post. He said he was an only child and I was making the comment that my mom was at the other end of the spectrum with 21 siblings.

@Richard, yes it is a wonderfully joyful photograph.
Thank you Bryan, for clearing this up for me.
Richard, I’m sorry that I got confused about your great fun loving photo, and I answered Bryan. I am also an only child, and you are right about missing having siblings. Your photo certainly shows your mother having a wonderful Christmas.

That's OK, I wasn't *too* offended. smiley

Looks like a fun family gathering, Richard. Thanks for sharing the photo. Bryan's mother has this beat by far, but my father was one of nine (seven boys), and when they got together, there was no quiet. Lots of fun, though.
Llyod,

Sounds just like my grandfather, I haven't even begun to find out about all my grandfather's siblings' families. Yet, the stories I hear even around my grandparents, the wild ones aren't about him and his siblings but his 3 children.

Some knife throwing and all other sorts of crazy things and it wasn't all an act.
+15 votes

The family gathering: "dinner time". For the mid-day meal, my grandmother, Eva (Greene) Lawson (at left) packed the table full. She would always have boiled or baked chicken or a beef roast or ham; plenty of potatoes, both fried and mashed; corn, either on-the-cob or cream style; and at least two types of beans: normally soup beans (Pintos) and green beans (either White Half-Runners or Leather Britches beans). Next to Mamaw is my cousin, Debbie and her father, George. My mother sits with her back to the camera. Mamaw is either content, or worn out, or both.

by Bryan Lawson G2G6 Mach 2 (21.3k points)
Thank you Bryan for another great photo. Nothing better than memories of the meals with family, but I guess I have not had White Half-Runners or Leather Britches beans.

@Alexis, leather britches or “shuck beans” refers to certain types of green beans dried in the pods. When rehydrated and cooked, the skins take on a silky texture while the beans are tender, rich, and velvety. The beans are strung on thread and hung in a dry place out of sunlight until they fully dried. The beans shrivel and curl as they dry, and look like leather britches that had gotten wet and then dried out. Shuck beans refers to the fact that they were dried “in the shuck.” White half-runners are a local popular variety of bean.

Bryan, I have been doing research on the beans, and now I certainly want the opportunity to be able to have them to eat. I love trying new foods, and they sound delicious. Thank you for your great answer.

What a great "slice of real life" photo, Bryan! Thanks for sharing it. Thanks for the explanation about the beans, too. I'm familiar with drying peas in the pod, but I don't think I've heard of drying green beans like that before. Very interesting! Like Alexis, now I want to taste them! smiley

"Shuck beans!" Wow, that brings back childhood memories. Thank you for sharing.
+14 votes

This is my mother's maternal grandparents and their family. Photo was taken in front of their residence in Albany, Oregon in 1911.

At left are my great-grandparents, Jack and Sarah Hammel. The next couple is Jack and Sarah's daughter Bessie and new husband Roy Hutchins. Next is their other daughter Addie and husband Arthur McClain (my grandparents) with my toddler mother Florence in front of them. On the right is Jack and Sarah's son Floyd, confusingly also known as Jack.

I don't know the reason for this gathering. One possibility is that they were celebrating my mother's first birthday.

by Lloyd Wright G2G6 Mach 3 (32.6k points)
edited by Lloyd Wright
The two dark dresses appear to have aprons while the light one does not. Must be something semi-formal as the men are all wearing hats and ties.
Thanks for the comment, Bryan. You could well be right, but I think men pretty much always wore coats and hats and ties in the 1910s whenever they were out in public (except when working, depending on the job). In fact, there are precious few photos of my great grandfather where he is not wearing at least a hat, but usually a coat and tie, too. Good observation about the dresses. I'm really not sure what is going on there. My great-grandmother was a seamstress and likely made all three dresses.
+12 votes

This is a Spooner family gathering in Iowa abt 1924.. My great grandmother Amanda Stier Roberts is seated on the right. The lady seated on the left is her youngest sister Cynthia Stier Spooner next to her husband Alonzo L Spooner. Alonzo was a cousin to the actress, playwright, vaudeville performer Edna May Spooner and her sister Cecil who was also an actress, screenwriter and film director in the early 1900 and 1920's.

by Deborah Campbell G2G6 Mach 3 (32.6k points)
edited by Deborah Campbell
+11 votes

I've chosen a photo of my great-grandparent's 50th wedding anniversary. The photo shows them and their five children taken in 1973. 

by Robin Helstrom G2G6 Mach 1 (15.9k points)
Hello Robin, congratulations to your great grandparents. Is that a cake in the center near the lower margin? Looks almost like the top has the kind of decoration that could be put on a wedding cake.

Thank you! Yup, Marion it’s totally a cake with a fancy topper :) here’s a different photo of the whole cake. 

The cake picture is not showing. Is it privacy protected? Here are some instructions.

Thanks Joyce! I should have that corrected now! :)
The cake would need some kind of protection, now that I have noticed it. ;-) In any case, this photo takes the cake!
+12 votes

My great grandmother, Mary Jane (Dickson) Moore-Crisp (1851-1908), in the lower left, with her second husband, Jonathan Deacon Crisp (1844-1936) and family.  Mary Jane's first husband, my great grandfather, Joseph Andrew Moore (1849-1882), passed away at a young age leaving his wife a widow with six children and she eventually married Jonathan, a father of twelve whose first wife passed away when her youngest was three.  Jonathan was a local businessman and had positions in the church and community.  This 'Family Gathering' was dubbed, ''The Mystery Photo", when found in the old Dunchurch, Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada home until identified by members of the Crisp family.                                                 

by John Thompson G2G6 Pilot (346k points)
Thank you John for sharing such a lovely family photo. Your great grandmother is very beautiful. It is certainly great that this photo was able to be identified.
This is a really excellent photo, especially well produced and preserved for its age. Thank you for sharing it, John.
It's exciting that someone managed to identify the "Mystery Photo." How do you suppose that happened?
Alexis, by following other trees, on Ancestry, I was able to determine that when Mary Jane passed away, from cancer, at peace with her situation,  Jonathan married for a third time and so the families carried on.
Marion, it would seem that Jonathan's family was reasonably successful, at a time of homesteading, and thus able to arrange and care for a quality photograph.....that is my observation based on written stories on other sites.
Joyce, on other Ancestry trees, I was able to determine that several Dickson family members had intermarried with the Crisp family......eventually some of the 'Crisp' descendants identified the photo.....my wife originally found this photo on Ancestry and uploaded it.
John thank you for sharing this wonderful photo, you really have so many wonderful photos
Thankyou Susan, I'm sure the photos are enjoying seeing the light of day after years in storage boxes!
+10 votes

This is a photo taken in 1948 of Cora Beulah Shaules with her children and grandchildren.

The baby being held on the far right is my husband, David.

by Robin Shaules G2G Astronaut (1.5m points)
Robin......we're with you.....a most wonderful  photo of David.....tears come to my eyes.......
Dear sweet Robin, thank you for sharing this photo of little David and his family. I hope your friends here on WikiTree can be some comfort for you during this terrible time. Please know that we love you and want to support you with our prayers and love.
My dear wonderful friend Robin.

I was so sad to read about your wonderful husband David.

I can only imagine how sad you most be,and I am so sad

You lost David.

Thank you for sharing this wonderful photo of a David

My thought are going to you, and I can find word how sorry I am my dear Robin
My dear friend Robin,
I was saddened to learn that your husband David has passed away - an unspeakably heavy loss for you and the family.
I think it is wonderful that despite this great loss you posted a picture of David as a baby surrounded by his family here, that way he will always be remembered.
My thoughts are with you and your family at this hard time.
Thank you, thank you, John, Alexis, Susan, Dieter, and all WikiTreers for your kind condolences. Your messages were very welcome and helpful. WikiTree is a very warm and safe place to be and I appreciate every one of you.

I wanted to share a photo with all of you that included David. Thank you for the opportunity.

I send my love and regards to every one of you.
Hello Robin, Whoever took this picture must be a great photographer. It is very sharp, with a great focus. Looks like a tripod or a fast shutter could have been used. Who is the clergyman in the back row?

Hello Marion, the photo was taken by a professional photographer. There is a story behind that, but it will be for another day. The priest on the left is Patrick Shaules. The nun standing next to him is Sister Antonia. And you will see another priest, Rockwell Shaules, on the right in the back row. These three were my husband's aunt and uncles.

Robin, my condolences. I am so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine what I would do. May God be with you.
Thank you, Marion. It's very difficult, but all the support I'm receiving makes it a little easier
+5 votes
Added, a family reunion in 1936.

https://www.wikitree.com/photo/jpg/Terrill-711
by Deborah Terrill G2G6 Mach 1 (12.3k points)
+5 votes
Baker Family Reunion in Cave Spring GA, circa 1930s.  My Aunt Katherine attended this and was able to name about 80% of the attendees.  There were 8 Baker siblings in this family (children, grandchildren, and g-grandchildren of  James Daniel Baker and his wife Martha McPherson Baker)
by Joe Baker G2G2 (2.3k points)
Hello Joe, Please upload the photo with your answer. I would be interested to have a look at it. Thanks.
Sorry, I guess I just don’t understand the instructions on how to put the photo in the free-space and also include it here. I did place it in the free-space. So how can I show it in this G2G thread?
+5 votes
On 24 Jun 2021, Carol (JONES) and Larry FLESHER celebrated their 60th Anniversary - the photo includes children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers & families, and close friends.
by Larry Flesher G2G4 (4.0k points)
Hello Larry, can you post the photo? It would be great to see it.
+9 votes

This is a photo of my great grandmother and her eleven children, my grandmother is Maggie ( Marguerite) third from the left. 

My great grandfather Samuel Richards died suddenly when Winifred the youngest child was 3 weeks old, she was born 20 May 1902 and the oldest Edna just 12 years old. My great uncle Harry (William Henry) first on the left, says in his memoirs, 'the 2 littlest uns couldn't even walk when me dad died'. 

500px-Jones-85710.jpg

by M Ross G2G6 Pilot (708k points)
Thank you M Ross for sharing the photo of your great grandmother and her eleven children and their story. I can’t even imagine being responsible for eleven children. Your grandmother looks so cute holding with what looks like a doll, also the little dog is sitting up. This really is an adorable photo of everyone.

The doll is the youngest child Winifred.

My misunderstanding Alexis, the doll my grandmother is holding not the child my great grandmother is holding. 

Thank you for sharing this wonderful family photo. What a challenge - 11 children. Large families were more normal then. My grandfather had 16 or 17 (or something, depends on how you count). They did not all live long, but even 10 or 15 children seems like a challenge. Hats off to your great grandmother for her strength and determination.
He was only 35 when he died, they had been married for almost 14 years, I'm sure there would have been more children.

The only child who did not live to adulthood was the oldest Edna, the family went to the Welsh coast for holidays, Edna liked to pretend to have problems in the water, calling out Help me, Help me.

She drowned at Friog, Wales in 1909.
+9 votes

John Nicholas Loake's ChristeningI have chosen this photo of my husband's christening gathering, various uncles aunts and cousins are there but I particularly like the cross looking big sister top left!

by Gillian Loake G2G6 Mach 5 (59.0k points)
Thank you Gillian for sharing the fabulous photo of your husband’s family. The clothing is wonderful; I love seeing people dressed like they did when I was a child.
Thank you Alexis, it's so interesting that all the women are wearing hats, even the five year old sister, you don't see that even at weddings now.
+9 votes

Here is a photo of the family of Edward Burton Ceruti, St.

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Ceruti-2

taken in Jan. 1906 probably in Florida (but maybe South Carolina) USA. The photo appears on each of the members profiles. The timing of this photo is fortunate because three of the siblings pictured here would be dead within a year. It is the only known photo of some of the siblings. All family members featured in the photo are identified as follows, from left to right.

Back row, standing May Lillian (Ceruti-22) Hawkins b. May 1891; Theodore Rae (Ceruti-30) b. 22 Nov. 1887; Alexander Byron (Ceruti-18) b. 1879 d. 29 Oct. 1943; Catherine Matilda (Ceruti-) b. Jan. 1886; Wilbur Wark (Ceruti-19) b. 1880 d. 1906; Edward Burton III (Ceruti-17) b. 1889 d. 1928; Ruth (Ceruti-23) Mercier b. 19 Aug. 1883 d. 5 June 1965.

Middle row, seated: Mary "Maude" (Ceruti-16) b. Aug. 1895; Edward Burton Ceruti, Sr., b. 1847, Lilian Constance Wark Ceruti (Wark-81) b. 1857, Evelyn Ella Ceruti Kirkland (Ceruti-14) b. 1875 d. 1945.

Bottom row, children: James David Wark Ceruti (Ceruti-24) b. Aug. 1895; William Tracy (Ceruti-8) b. 28 Feb. 1903 d. 10 May 1988; Frederick Lin II (Ceruti-15) b. June 1897

by Marion Ceruti G2G6 Pilot (351k points)
Thank you Marion for sharing such an absolutely beautiful  family photo. It is wonderful that everyone is identified.
Hello Alexis, Thank you for your kind words. We feel fortunate to have this picture. The more I study it, the more remarkable I realize it is. Unfortunately, two of the siblings, Lillian Maud Ceruti II and Phebe R. Ceruti, are not present in the photo, although LMC II is known to have been alive then. We don't know much about Phoebe (Ceruti-21) whose exact origin is under investigation as (yet another) Ceruti family mystery.
Thank you Marion for sharing this wonderful photo
+8 votes

This shows Michael and Louise Ruff with their grown daughters, circa 1930 in or near Saginaw, Michigan.   The extended family gathered to celebrate something, though it’s difficult to know what.   Judging by the foliage and clothing, it is probably a summer day, perhaps a family reunion, and definitely something special since Michael has a boutonnière and Bouquets are held by both Louise and another woman in a separate photo.  My grandmother, Molly, is first on the left.

by Scott Lacey G2G6 (6.3k points)
edited by Scott Lacey
Thank you Scott for sharing such a lovely family photo—maybe an anniversary. Everyone is dressed beautifully, and I love your grandmother’s hairstyle.
I don't know this for sure, but judging from the clothing and the flowers, I would say that either Mothers Day or Fathers Day could be the occasion for the get-together. Thanks for sharing it with us, Scott.

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