Henning William and Alma Helen Traulsen

Subject: Alma Helen Wolff(age: 21)and Henning William Traulsen Sr.(age: 26)
Occasion: Wedding Day
Date: October 15, 1886 (but also reported as October 30, 1886)
Photographer: Runkel, 469 Third Street, Milwaukee, Wis.

I posted two views of the same photograph to give you the historical context of what photography consisted of at the turn of the century. The photograph was mounted on heavy cardboard.

Henning was born on December 23, 1860 in Karlberg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. He emigrated to the United States and arrived on May 5, 1885.

Alma Helen Wolff was born on November 23, 1865 in Schniedermuhl Proving
Rosen, Germany (my spelling may be incorrect as I was reading it from a very old document). Alma arrived in the United States on October 12, 1882.

I am not sure whether this marriage was arranged. In fact, I know very little history. It is my hope that some of my other family members will comment and provided some additional information.

Henning and Alma were the parents of my maternal Grandmother Lucy Albertine Helene Traulsen. That is my connection.

In my opinion, photography during this time was an art form. In a way, a poor man's painted portrait. Painting by far, was much more time consuming and expensive. One might say that at this time all photography portraits were similar. I beg to differ. Upon viewing this photograph you are immediately drawn to the people. Every detail was carefully prepared before the photograph was taken. I like the earrings, but notice the lack of a necklace on Alma. There appears to be a wedding band on her left hand, but Henning's left hand is not prominent and you can not really tell if he is wearing a band. I also like the view of the watch chain and fob.

I doubt very much that this picture was taken on the actual wedding day. It was probably scheduled after the wedding. It appears much preparation went into the making of this photograph by the subjects, as well as the photographer.

I also want to share, that I have started my family tree on ancestry.com. Many of you reading this are probably located in the tree. Please contact me and I can provide access to the tree. Feel free to share any information, dates, places, events and even stories regarding any member of our family. I will be happy to include it. Stories add to our history so that it is not just statistics. Our family lived and loved and I think it is an honor to remember them.

Happy Mother's Day

Subject: Norma Elsbeth Waswo
Occasion: High School Graduation
Date: 1939
Age: 18
Photographer: Unknown.

What better way to begin a Blog than to start it on Mother's Day, and also post a picture that basically began it all for my life.

It is my intention to share a photograph weekly from my archive, and include as much information as I can. I encourage viewers to comment as they see fit. It is my hope that family members and friends will add additional information. Many of the earlier pictures, my comments are limited by the verbal history passed down from the relatives.

I decided to post this picture on Facebook in honor of mom. A family member and a friend, encouraged me to begin a blog. I have decided to take them up on the challenge.

Getting back to the photograph below is the comment I posted on Facebook:
'This is mom's high school graduation picture. I have always loved this picture, she is so beautiful. When I was a very small child, I would tell her that I would take care of her. Back then, I never thought it would come true. She took loving care of me for 18 years, and I was able to return the favor for 6 years. I love her, I miss her. I am grateful that her last years were good. She was well taken care of and surrounded with love. Her promises and wishes came true'.

The stories surrounding mom's high school days were not happy ones. Mom was to graduate in 1939. The picture was taken and plans were made. Unfortunately the health of mom's father took a turn for the worse. Norma's mother withdrew her from school so mom could help in the grocery store. The family had a business that needed to keep running. Mom graduated a year later, but her words relayed to me were ones of remorse. She not only had to see her father sick and dying, but also give up her senior year of high school, graduating with classmates below her. Mom never appeared to be bitter, but experiences such as these shape the rest of your life.