Okay, I took the suitcase full of photos in today and Anthony identified that eight of them were of the place where he grew up. We haven’t been able to finish examining the hundreds of old photos yet, and it will probably take a few days. The funny thing is that we have looked at these photos previously, but never organized them. A few family members have been through the ‘magic’ box and taken anything that means something to them but there’s still a lot there and Ants is very protective of this treasure chest.
I love having the responsibility of organizing, perhaps even cataloguing, and sharing these photos while Anthony is still able to tell me who is whom and where is where. He has always had an amazing memory for details and dates when it comes to his family history. It’s great to have now been prompted to enter into this treasure hunt.
Anyway, this place where Ants spent most of his childhood was, and is, called Golden Valley, in the picturesque town of Balingup. Over recent years it has become a tourist attraction and the house has been renovated, although I’m not sure about the ballroom because Anthony has always said that at one end of the house there used to be a huge, high-ceilinged room. Before Anthony got so ill, we used to go for drives down there to look at the renovations.
The people who are organizing an event to celebrate Golden Valley are delighted to be coming up next week to visit Anthony in the nursing lodge, and see the photos which of course we have said they can borrow. I am hoping, hoping, hoping it will be possible to get Ants down to Golden Valley on the day of the event. Here is their website fyi.
http://www.goldenvalleytreepark.org.au/
jmgoyder 
It is so good to see you getting all the photos organised. Reminiscing must make for many happy memories.
Trouble is heaps of the photos are from 100 years before even Anthony’s time. Just goes to show you should always label photos!
Great to hear Anthony wasn’t stumped by anything. Although you’re going to go through and catalogue them now – it sounds like something you could bring out often for his pleasure.
Ants has incredible longterm memory and always has even before he got the PDD – this photo sorting is going to be great fun!
Sounds like a wonderful trip down memory lane for Anthony. I DO hope he is well enough to go there on the Day. It would a very special event if he could.
He would be the guest of honour – crossing my fingers!
so nice to have something to do together – here is keeping my fingers crossed that Anthony can go
Me too!
If it were me, I would be scanning those photos in a heartbeat, and then printing out copies for them to use at their event. I certainly wouldn’t let the originals out of my care, especially since alternatives exist today. I’ve scanned and printed some photos as old as tintypes, and they come out beautifully. Just a thought.
Good thinking – I’ll make those committee women go to the library and scan the photos and then bring originals back on same day. Thanks!
after reading the link i wanted to jump in my car and go there, and take a walk. it is so beautiful from the photo given. great memories could be made there and most likely have…………so glad the photos are going well for descriptions
It is a beautiful place.
Wow…this sounds like a really good activity for you and Anthony and I’m so glad he is able to participate in helping document the people/places in the photos! Golden Valley looks like a magical place. I so hope he can be ok to go to the event, even for a bit. Sending Love xxoo
I hope so too!
xo fingers crossed!
Wonderful excitement for you and Ant to share… I get thrilled for your part… enjoy..
Thanks bullgod!
Went to the link and what big beautiful trees in a photo with great light. And it would give a person a sense of pride to know that they planted the trees.
Not sure which ones he planted – the younger ones – can’t wait to find out. He did show me years ago but at the time I wasn’t interested.
What a fantastic place … and I really hope that there will be a chance for Anton to be there for the event – and you have also got a new hobby … with all the old photos. Quite exciting for both of you.
We are doing more tomorrow – big job!
This going to be great!
It sure is!
I now have photo albums and a box of photos all over my dinning room table thanks to you, yes you reading about your old photos has made me want to sort out my photos it will take a while but I will get there………..slowly………..
Me too – I thought it would be quickish but it’s a slow process!
I’m so glad you had a good time going over the photos. That was one of the lucky things I was able to do with our grandmas; got them to name the people and places and dates of most of the photos we inherited. It sure cuts down on looking at photos wondering where the picture was taken, by whom, and why. Which is a sad way for photos to end their life–tossed away for lack of information. Perhaps some of this committee will be able to identify some of the other photos through other information? Golden Valley reminds me of where I grew up! So pretty!
It looks like this is going to take a few days so thanks for your encouragement. Many of the photos are unlabelled so I am going to label them.
Julie, I have missed you so!! My days are so full… My kid is going through so much and I am caught up in it. I promise to read up on all your happenings and comment comment comment 🙂 thank you for leaving me a comment.
I can’t tell you how much I have missed you – so glad you are back but so sorry your kid is going through so much. Lots of love
such a beautiful place…and i wonder if any of those trees in the photo they have are ones that Ants may have planted. love that idea. and fingers crossed for him too…would be such a wonderful thing to be able to take him there. (sounds like it’s going well with the photos..YAY)
I know, years ago, Ants showed me the trees he himself planted. I hope we can figure all of this out.
If you can you will, but you’ll work on it together. 🙂
Jules —- this is a fabulous idea. One of the only things I have from my dad’s estate and so precious to me is a box of picture. He had meticulously written on them who and when it was. This was a huge gift to me and helped me find some of my distant cousins.
So, do this till the pictures run out. Your son will thank you some day. (maybe not now but someday).
History is so easily lost be a Grand Historian!! r
I will do my best – your story encourages me – thank you!
This is wonderful what you are doing dear Julie… Photography is great and so precious… Good Luck for this exciting and also beautiful project. Golden Valley fascinated me. Thank you, love you, nia
I really hope I can get Ants down to Golden Valley on the day!
How much of honor for your family! This is exciting Jules.ot been to web site you but am so I can see what you are referring to in posts.
My fingers, toees and eyes are crossed as well as prayers that Anthony will be able to tolerate the day. It would be so good for all of you to have a bit of normalacy as best as it could be.
I think it’s fabulous that you have become the curator and historian of your family. I am a HUGE family story teller,creating books, albums, memory books, shadow boxes etc. When Bears mom & dad passed on the same honor that you have became mine. Bears family dates back in documented history to th the 1600’s. I cannot let that fall off just becaue no one would pick it up,. There was an aunt who did put all the geniology research on digital format. I tend to it also now that she has passed on. My one regret about having taken on this responsibilty is that I did not understand young enough how important filling in the blanks with memories is. I wish now I had sat down with both Bears parents now.
It’s wonderful of you to know how important it is to have Anthony fill in with all he can.
It’s fun, and it’s work. But so worth it when you know you recording you family’s own history. And you are just the gal for it!’
Hugs, ~ BB
Thanks BB! The only thing is that some of the photos are too old for even Ants to recognize and all those who might have known have died. I’m not sure what to do with those – any suggestions?
Truly, a terrific idea. 😉
…..and another Russel Ray camping trip comes to an end………………..Hope all is well.
Thanks for visiting and leaving your rays.