I have the good fortune that my mother had in her possession alot of old family photos (a trunk) that over the years collected even more. Maybe those early days when I would sit and look through them all just for fun paid off. But its taking years to scan them all and all I borrow from family (thank you-more please) Today on Chookscraps I was checking out the scrapbooking challenges and one is for 'Heritage Look' (thanks Kathy!) so this inspired a little digging out the various family allocated water proof cases (yes...very serious about this family archive thing)and scanning some more photos in. I found this interesting one I didn't know existed for THE HOOKS FAMILY. This was the name of my Grandmother Francis' (aka Nona) adoptive family. She knew her biological family, they lived up the road. After @8 months in the hospital after birth the Doctor who delivered her took her home and adopted her. Rumour (and proof of anything regarding her adoption has been hard to find) and family lore is that her mother, Mollieneal, went to 'The Sanitarium' after her birth for some time which was the reason Francis never went home with the Braden family. She was the 5th child born to Sarge Braden & Mollineal Dickinson. William was the 6th... he did go home with them.
Here is the photo I found:
It is well know that Dr. Hooks, her adoptive father, was devoted to my grandmother, yet Maude her step mother was not close. Francis was to be their only child. They were a prominent wealthy family. My Grandmother throughout her life would always have a trust fund, however not alot of love....the theory among us is that without close contact those early months Nona had issues attaching. Throw a tad of socio path in there too. Very intelligent, a true mind for literature. A strong memory for me is her ability to quote Shakespeare or famous poets in a moment. Often accenting the life.
The back:
I think it says:
Chas Snr
Minnie
Maude
Frances
J.M.H shooing at C.A.H taking the picture
Two Phelps children (who?)
We do know her devotion and love for my grandfather Eliot was eternal and his for her. Like 'Who's afraid of Virginia Wolfe' mixed with 'Pride & Prejudice'.
She was beautiful and a true Southern Belle with a 'past' in Paris, Texas style.
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