My Dad's parents came from Sweden and like all good Swedes, changed their name to Carlson. They had 4 children with my Dad being the youngest. When Dad was two, his mother died.
Not knowing how to care for his 4 young children, my Grandfather gave them to family members. Two of my Aunts stayed in the Corning, NY area and my Dad and his sister (next to the youngest) were given to a couple in the Jamestown area, about 150 miles away.
Mary and Aaron were cousins, who had remained childless after several years of marriage. They were more than happy to be blessed with a son and a daughter.
Without any legal documentation, they changed the children's last name to theirs and raised them as their own. My Aunt used to speak about their real father so they did know him to some extent when they were older.
What amazes me is that the sisters and brother never lost touch. One of the older girls parents didn't want her to have contact with her sister but since they lived in the same area they remained close. My brother and I were fortunate to know and spend time with our Aunts after our father passed away when we were 4 and 6. Our Aunts could have told us a lot about our heritage but we saw them the most when we were young and didn't care. The 2 Aunts that lived the longest both had Alzheimer's by the time we cared to ask questions.
I didn't know any of my Grandparents on my Fathers side but do know that his Mother lived in the same home as my Mom and Dad until she died. Luckily we had great Grandparents on my Mom's side of the family. I got most of these pictures from my Aunt's family after she passed away and I treasure them.
Not knowing how to care for his 4 young children, my Grandfather gave them to family members. Two of my Aunts stayed in the Corning, NY area and my Dad and his sister (next to the youngest) were given to a couple in the Jamestown area, about 150 miles away.
Mary and Aaron were cousins, who had remained childless after several years of marriage. They were more than happy to be blessed with a son and a daughter.
Without any legal documentation, they changed the children's last name to theirs and raised them as their own. My Aunt used to speak about their real father so they did know him to some extent when they were older.
What amazes me is that the sisters and brother never lost touch. One of the older girls parents didn't want her to have contact with her sister but since they lived in the same area they remained close. My brother and I were fortunate to know and spend time with our Aunts after our father passed away when we were 4 and 6. Our Aunts could have told us a lot about our heritage but we saw them the most when we were young and didn't care. The 2 Aunts that lived the longest both had Alzheimer's by the time we cared to ask questions.
I didn't know any of my Grandparents on my Fathers side but do know that his Mother lived in the same home as my Mom and Dad until she died. Luckily we had great Grandparents on my Mom's side of the family. I got most of these pictures from my Aunt's family after she passed away and I treasure them. 
3 comments:
It truly is amazing that even after being separated to be raised by different families, they all kept in touch with each other until the very end! I so enjoyed seeing all those old photos...what a treasure to have!! xox
I loved looking at your old pictures...I'm guilty of not finding out things before it is too late~~blushing~~
Wonderful pictures to have and treasure. It's a real gift to know so much about your family history and to pass it on to your children.
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