 |
| Auntie Miriam |
To us here in the Low Countries that seems to be a rather peculiar method of keeping your family together. But obviously we don't have any Scots here threatening to leave us. The idea alone may frustrate the English family feeling. So on second thought we understand our neighbours on the western shores of the North Sea. In any case this post is written in honor of Auntie Miriam. And who can be a better subject than my own Auntie Jo.
 |
| Johanna Cornelia Innemee Sept. 2, 1913 The Hague Oct. 3, 2014 Photo taken on Jul. 5, 1928 |
To clarify the family relationship, she was married to a 1st cousin once removed. His name was Johannes Frederikus Miebies. Born in 1899 he died at the rather early age of 59. Aunt Jo never remarried so that made her a widow for almost 56 years. Possibly because of that she had her own hairdressing salon. In those days it was quite unusual for ladies to be employed. And having your own business must have been almost unheard of (in Holland) in those days. But Auntie Jo was not the person to be bothered by that kind of social convention. She took her own decisions.
Funny enough I never knew Aunt Jo until I started taking an interest in genealogy in the early 80's. When I was leafing through the white pages of The Hague, I saw the name Miebies-Innemee and realized she was part of the family I had never been in contact with. (With a last name like mine anyone with that name just must be related.) So I picked up the phone and the contact was made. It lasted well over 30 years.
Much to the surprise of the people around her, she lived on her own until early 2014. Only during the last six months of her life her health forced her to leave her house and live in a nursing home. It was hardly a voluntary move...Now that she has joined Auntie Miriam, I am certain that the two of them will get along very well. I am equally certain that they will keep a critical eye on their respective cousins.
Having been a hairdresser I am sure Auntie Jo would have known what to do with the person portrayed this week. If you are curious whether other Sepians cut it short or not, please see the Sepia Saturday Site.
Hurrah! I’m so glad you have joined us again, and how thoughtful of you to remember Aunty Miriam and your own wonderful aunt.
ReplyDeleteA very clever connection to the prompt picture with your Auntie Jo having been a hairdresser. And as Little Nell says, a lovely tribute to both aunties!
ReplyDeleteInteresting post. Her dress looks very short and daring for that time period.
ReplyDeleteA grand hello to you, it's good to see you back here again! Interesting how you remember good old Aunty Miriam, and connected the dots to your own lovely Aunty! Only your hairdresser knows for sure right?!
ReplyDeleteIt is tragic that the hair covered man never met your aunt. It would have been life changing. Possibly for both of them.
ReplyDeleteWe need to start a Sepia Collection of dear ol' aunties. I like Auntie Jo and am sorry to hear of her passing. Glad to see you back!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post, how you brought the value of genealogical research through a connection with your Aunt. And now those ancestors who are sitting around sipping their favorite beverages may look forward to our joining them someday or another!
ReplyDeleteAn interesting old aunt I have no doubt. I like the idea of a sepia collection of old aunts. I had many.
ReplyDeleteI would like to hear more about your Aunty Jo. She sounds like a very interesting person, who would have had many stories to tell.
ReplyDeleteAuntie Jo sounds like my kind of woman! Sorry she was widowed at such an early age, but she certainly carried it forward, didn't she? Nice tribute, Peter!
ReplyDeleteWelcome back, Peter with a worthy story fitting our theme. I think Auntie Jo's occupation must have kept her very well informed about all the local stories. We should all be so lucky to have that many years to hear them.
ReplyDelete