Family Affair

Like any typical Italian family the Dominos/Alfieris always stuck together. My grandmother Anna, always tells me stories of how her whole family would get together almost every week at her grandparent's house in Babylon, NY. At night women would sleep in the house, and the men would sleep in the cars.

This photo is of my grandma (2nd from the left) and her female family members (her mom, Rosie, is the first woman on the left). My grandma looks about 15 y.o. so I'm dating this ca 1941.

The Lost and the Silent

There is something about this picture that I intrigues me, but I can't put my finger on it. Perhaps it is the expressions on their faces. There seems to be a real disconnect between these two women. It may be strain caused by the generational gap between these two. That's why I named this post "The Lost and the Silent." My great-grandmother was born in 1900: The Lost Generation. My grandmother, 1926: The Silent Generation. "Lost" and "Silent" seems to fit this picture perfectly.

I'm dating this ca 1941. Babylon, NY

The Tallest Structure in the World

The worst part about having a grandmother who is somewhat of a hoarder is cleaning out 70 years worth a stuff out of her house when she decides to sell it. The best part---finding stuff like this.

It's a brochure/menu from the Empire State Building. I'm not sure of the date, but it says that the Empire State Building is the tallest structure in the world. The building held that title from when it was built in 1931 until 1967. So we know that this is from before 1967. I'm guessing that it's from the 1950s. Judging by the food prices this seems right. Ten cents for a cup of coffee (Now: $3 in Starbucks ...easy), and those are NYC prices! I have to admit that the menu does seem a little dull. American cheese sandwich? Where is the nearest Panera Bread?

Sorry if it's a little blurry on the ends. The brochure was slightly bigger than my scanner.

First Communion

This is my grandmother and her brother posing for their First Holy Communion ca. 1933.

Joseph and Charles

This lovely picture is of my great-grandfather Charlie (Right) and his father, Joseph. They're at Joseph's house in Babylon, NY. I'm not sure on the date, but it has to be from 1930's-early 1940's. (I'm leaning more towards 1930's though)

My great-great-grandpa looks like he can kick some serious butt, don't he?

Picket Fence Dreams

Here is a picture of my grandmother and her mother. I'm not exactly sure when this photo was taken, but my grandma looks about 3 or 4 years old in this picture, so I would say 1929-1931.

1920's Babes in 3D!!

Found this on Youtube. It's so interesting to see what was considered really racy back then. Where are my dang 3D glasses when I need them? There are some really cool stereoscope pictures at StereoscopeTheatre.com

1910s Wedding Footage

Another Youtube gem:

Uncle Jack (Gioacchino) (repost)

Ok, so this is a repost of my "Uncle Jack" post I put up last month. Apparently I received the wrong information. I finally found the truth (or at least what I'm told is the truth.... and if not, oh well, I'm sticking to this one) about my grandmother's Uncle Jack.

He was in the Italian army during World War I. He was captured by the Germans, and kept as a POW for nine months, during which he ate mostly potatoes. After he came back from the war he would never eat a potato again. He also spent some time in Ethiopia, when Italy was in control of the country.

The photo was probably taken sometime during the 1920s.

Special thanks to Megan, who cleaned and restored this photo for me. Thank you!

Forget Me Not

I found my Grandmother's junior high school autograph book from 1942. I had a

blast reading all the things her classmates wrote to her.

Some of them are a little saucy considering that it was written in the '40's by junior high schoolers. It made me LOL literally!

Here are a few of my favorites. I made my own notes in italics.

To anna:

Two in a hammock,

Ready to kiss,

All of a sudden it went

like sıɥʇ.

Your Brother Grad-u-8,

Alfred L.

When you are married

And your husband gets cross

Pick up a broomstick,

and tell him you're boss.

Forget me not,

Betty M.

Prison: J.H.S 73

Cell: 318

Keeper: Mrs. Tilley

Warden: Mr. Gainsboro

Flint

When you get married

Don't marry a flirt.

Marry a man who

Will wash your shirt!

Eleanor

Never make love at the garden gate.

Love is blind but the neighbors aint!

Your classman,

Ellen S.

Some like the tulips

that grow in the park,

but I like the two lips

that meet in the dark.

Your pal,

Laurie

Remember Grant.

Remember Lee.

The hell with them!

Remember me!

sister grad-u-8

Bushie

Ashes to ashes

dust to dust

if it weren't for boys

the girls' lips would rust.

Your friend,

Katricia

Butter is butter

And cream is cream.

What good's a kiss

Without a Squeeze?

Pat M.

The higher the mountain

The higher the trees

The younger the couple

The tighter the squeeze.

Evelyn

Roses are red.

Violets are blue.

Sugar is rationed.

Why aren't you?*

*She's gotten that one a few times in the book. I just think it's great because of the "sugar is rationed" part. It really shows the times.

Our eyes have met

Our lips not yet

but OH!

You kid,

I'll get you yet!

Brother Grad-u-8

Charles D.

Little over-confident there, are we Charles? Hmmmm?

Pins and needles

Needles and Pins

When you are married

your troubles begin

Pal

Vita

˙uʍop ǝpısdn ƃuıʇıɹʍ ʎq

ʞooq ɹnoʎ pǝlıods oɥʍ ʎoq ǝɥʇ ɯ,ı

'uʍoʇ ǝɥʇ ɯoɹɟ ʎoq ǝɥʇ ɯ,ı

'ʎʇıɔ ǝɥʇ ɯoɹɟ ʎoq ǝɥʇ ɯ,ı

Bob

Bum ink

Rotten Pen

Best Wishes

Amen

From your cousin,

Sonny A.

There is a darling girl I know.

Boy will I miss her

When I'll go out to fight the foe

This girl is my sister,

Your Brother,

Joe

Anna, Anna as they say

Walking up and down broadway

with fellows at each side

selling kisses

two for five

Your Friend,

Lucy

What are you trying to say, Lucy? Walking down the street, selling kisses! What a friend you are.

You may forget a doll.

You may forget a toy.

But I bet you ten bucks

You don't forget a boy!

Your sister grad-u-8,

Charlotte

Finally here is one my grandfather wrote to her. They didn't meet until after the war, so his is a later addition.

To Doll,

They Say it's a sin to love,

I never asked them why.

But If I sin in loving you,

I'll sin until I die

Love,

Bob

That's all. Sorry if I drove you crazy with the upside down text, but it was necessary, I assure you.

¿ʞuıɥʇ noʎ ʇ,uop ˙sıɥʇ ǝʞıl sʇsod ǝɹoɯ ǝʇıɹʍ plnoɥs ı ʞuıɥʇ ı