One thing you should know about Estonians is their love for choir music. It almost seems like every Estonian has sung in a local choir at one stage in their life. I sang in a children’s choir, and after that in a youth choir. The absolute highlight of Estonian choir music are the Song Festivals, … Continue reading Kirill Wiebe and the Estonian choir music
Sisters Senta and Ilse Liimand
I found this photo in Estonia last summer. I mean look at those two! Their matching dresses and bows, even their socks and shoes are matching. And those necklaces! Surely someone went through mama’s jewerly box. The older girl was Ilse, the smaller one Senta. The back of the photo reads “Jutsu Roosi daughters Senta … Continue reading Sisters Senta and Ilse Liimand
Hilda Katariina Säkk née Kärner
My hobby really is like a box of chocolates, I never know what I’m going to get! When I found this CDV in an Estonian antique store, I picked it, despite its damaged state, because it was identified. I never ever expected this story to unfold! The girl was Hilda-Katariina Kärner, 7 years old in … Continue reading Hilda Katariina Säkk née Kärner
Edith R. Young
This was one of the very first tintypes I ever bought. Got this one from The Rescued Photo (check them out on Instagram, Etsy and on their blog!). I was so intrigued by this Victorian lady’s interesting outfit – the kind of a shawl fabric as an overcoat (or cape?) and the “flowerpot” hat that … Continue reading Edith R. Young
Mihkel and Ida Otsanen
I found this wedding photo in Estonia. Mihkel Otsanen dedicated this photo to his friend Johannes, so I assumed Mihkel Otsanen might have been the groom. Mihkel was a handsome groom, don’t you think? He might be looking a bit uncomfortable in his suit, he probably wasn’t used to wearing it very often. The detachable … Continue reading Mihkel and Ida Otsanen
Emil Lemkau, Caroline Reiche and Martha Böttger
I found these three photos at my local thrift store in Hamburg. I picked these cause they were identified, and it seems to be the same handwriting on all three. But how were they connected? They show “Emil Lemkau as a groom” (photo taken in Berlin), “Martha Böttger” (photo taken in Elberfeld) and “Aunt Caroline … Continue reading Emil Lemkau, Caroline Reiche and Martha Böttger
Nikolai “Niksi” Kultas, a man with a vision
I found this photo in an antique store in Estonia. I grabbed it cause it was identified, but I didn’t think much about the person or his name. It was only after I showed it to my mum that she said “Niksi” would stand for Nikolai and he might have been the famous café owner. … Continue reading Nikolai “Niksi” Kultas, a man with a vision
Myrtle Marble Moore
This tiny portrait shows Myrtle Marble Moore in the first decade of the 20th century. Myrtle Mary Marble was born in December 1883 in New York. Her father Charles Alanson Marble (1848-1931) was a farmer from Alabama, and together with his wife Frances née Walker (1851-19146), he had 8 children, born within the span of … Continue reading Myrtle Marble Moore
Agnes Dell Williams and daughters from Dorset, England
This much loved photo is in a bit of a poor state but the motherly love it emanates has not faded one bit. The large image on cardboard was originally found in the US before it came to me from Spain. And it's identified! It has writing on it in two different handwritings. My Instagram … Continue reading Agnes Dell Williams and daughters from Dorset, England
Heinrich and Betty Müller
Happy Wedding Wednesday! Today we have a lovely couple - Heinrich & Betty - whose wedding day was on September 14, 1921, in Ludwigslust in Germany. And eventhough the dedication does not mention the couple's surname, I was lucky to find their marriage record on Ancestry according to which they were Heinrich Clemens Müller and … Continue reading Heinrich and Betty Müller
Photos Without Families 