Every day, I write about beautiful things. Today, for the Weekly Photo Challenge, I’m writing about one of my very special and favourite objects – The Family Locket. This has been in the family, on my Mother’s side for at least 154 years and is now entrusted to my care.
My Great Great Granny’s Locket
We know very little about my Great Great Grandmother, whose locket this was, apart from the fact that she was Spanish and we think the locket probably is too. The front of the locket is particularly beautiful, the silver being inlaid with a black stone, maybe jet.The back is covered in very delicate engraving. My Mum attributed the fact that her hair never went grey to her Spanish genes!
The front of the locket
Inside the locket are two tiny photographs, one of my Great Great Grandmother and the other of my Great Great Grandfather, the only photo we have of him.
Inside the locket
My Spanish Great Great Grandmother and her Husband
Studio portrait c 1860
My Great Grandparents
My Granny
My Mum, married on 2nd September 1939, by her Father, The Very Reverend William Richards, the day before the Second World War was declared, wore the locket at her wedding but their honeymoon, planned to be in Paris, was a few snatched days in Blackpool instead. The photo isn’t very clear but the chain and shape can just be made out in this photo.
My Mum at her Wedding in front of Cockerham Vicarage, Lancashire
I, too, wore the locket at my wedding in Truro, Cornwall almost 30 years later in 1967.
I wore it at our Wedding August 1967
KJ, our second daughter, wore the locket at her wedding in London July 2006. KJ also has Granny’s grin!
KJ at her wedding
When my Brother and Sister-in-law were married in June 1993 in the Chapel at Truro School, the locket was V’s borrowed and old item.You may know the saying – ’Something old, something new, Something borrowed, something blue’ to bring good luck to the newly wedded couple.
My Brother, my Sister-in-law and my Dad
There is something very special about being able to lend such a precious item to someone you love. My Mum had died only three weeks before the wedding so this is a particularly poignant memory. She would have been so pleased that the locket was being worn again, at another family wedding and welcoming another daughter into the family.
You can click on any photo to see more detail. Several of these are photos of photos so are not as clear as the originals.
For others in this Challenge, see http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2014/01/31/photo-challenge-object/
Silver in the Barn
June 30, 2014 at 10:18 pm
Recently WordPress sent out a Daily Prompt to write about the oldest article you have, from the article’s point of view. I chose to write about a “worthless” heirloom piece from my grandmother. So much of this particular post reminds me of that especially the great joy of passing something down through the generations. Your locket is an absolute treasure. Isn’t it remarkable to hold in your hand an object worn by loved ones long gone?
Hudson Howl
February 5, 2014 at 5:57 pm
I remember this…don’t I
Don’t think am caught some kinda deja vu moment, either or this is interesting to say the least. More than heirloom and keepsake -you have to love the history that one can hold in the palm and pass on forever after.
mybeautfulthings
February 5, 2014 at 8:24 pm
Yes you do! It’s just a bit different as I discovered another generation of photos but mostly it’s the same. I reckoned on there being quite a lot of new readers who may have missed the first time.
It was lovely to go through it all again though…. 🙂
Glittermoon
February 5, 2014 at 2:20 am
So, so wonderful. Thank you for sharing something so special with the world. Cackie
mybeautfulthings
February 5, 2014 at 4:14 pm
Thank you for your appreciation. It was a pleasure putting the post together. Thank you so much for calling in and taking the time to comment. 🙂
Tina Schell
February 5, 2014 at 2:07 am
Oh my, what an incredibly special object. And I love that your sister-in-law recognized its importance and that you loaned it to her for her special day. Here’s to future generations who will treasure it as well.
mybeautfulthings
February 5, 2014 at 4:11 pm
It’s lovely to think that our Grand daughters may wear it at their weddings – if they get married! 🙂
Maggie O'C
February 4, 2014 at 11:31 pm
Love this! You and your mum look so young in your wedding photos and so much alike!
Al
February 4, 2014 at 3:22 pm
That is great, Sally.
mybeautfulthings
February 5, 2014 at 4:12 pm
Thank you, Al. It was lovely to put the post together. 🙂
Al
February 5, 2014 at 5:10 pm
I can imagine
Karen
February 4, 2014 at 1:49 pm
What a lovely post and such a beautiful locket with so much history. x
babyjill7...Marilyn Griffin
February 4, 2014 at 12:53 pm
I love the items that have been handed down…a lovely locket is so special…What great family Roots…Wonderful post!… and the photos that depict the events…just precious!
mybeautfulthings
March 17, 2014 at 3:13 pm
Thank you so much for your kind words! 🙂
Photography Journal Blog
February 4, 2014 at 12:44 pm
What a great family story 🙂
Julia
February 5, 2014 at 10:47 pm
What a lovely post, thanks for sharing ♥
mybeautfulthings
March 17, 2014 at 3:14 pm
So glad you liked the post. Thank you for calling in and taking the time to comment. 🙂
dorothychiotti
February 4, 2014 at 11:58 am
What a wonderful family treasure and beautiful tradition to go with it. Such a responsibility now that it is in your safe keeping, but it sounds to me like it’s in good hands. 😉
mybeautfulthings
March 17, 2014 at 3:12 pm
I’m glad you likes hearing about our locket. My daughter has a daughter now so hopefully it will be worn at another wedding. Thank you for calling in and taking the time to comment. 🙂