missuscluck Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 I thought I would share this page from my mums old photo album with you. My mum is German as was my dad. My dad sadly passed away when I was 15 so I feel I never got to know him properly. My mum and dads familys were driven from their homes during the war and they lost everything. Both my parents came to this country after the war, my dad as a farm hand and my mum as a nanny to the children on a different farm in the same area. They met, married and decided to stay in this country. My mum has now been here for 60 years. My dad didnt talk much about his life pre war much. I guess it was very difficult for him. I know that his family owned a large farm which was completly lost to them in the war. I never got chance to talk to my dad on an adult level about his life and what my mum tells me is sometimes a bit sketchy. My dad was always 'growing his own' and we were always allowed pets. He used to keep chickens and rabbits for meat although I dont remember this. My mum always says 'oooh, you are like your dad!' I copied these images out of a photo album my mum has containing pictures that belonged to my dad, with lots of my grandparents farm. The man on the horse is my granddad, and on the front row right in his army uniform. The lady milking the cow is my grandmother and the little boy peering over the cow is my dad. My grandmother is in the centre of the top left picture, bottom left and stood next to the beehive. Dosent it just go to show sometimes you cant escape your ancestory! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 What an interesting post, thanks for sharing. It's a shame that you don't know more, but understandable, some things best left. Lovely photos, and a touching story. You can be proud of your parents as I'm sure they were (& Mother is) proud of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 fascinating! Why did they lose their farm, was it forcibly taken from them? Whereabouts in Germany was it? Have you ever visited the area? Do you have extended family over there? How brilliant to have those photos, bet it makes you even more determined to realise your dreams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missuscluck Posted January 24, 2009 Author Share Posted January 24, 2009 My mum is 78 and although she is fine she does find it hard to remember things. She always says "your dad would have been so proud of you" I think from what I can gather the farm was destroyed somehow. The land was then occupied territory and never returned. I have familly scattered about in Germany. Lots of my mums family live in Gelsenkirken in West Germany and some of my dads family live in East Germany and some in Poland I think. My mum always kept in touch with my dads sister but she has now died and she is only really in touch with my dads cousin now. I have been to West Germany to visit my mums family a couple of times and my uncles, aunts and cousins have been regular visitors over they years although of my mums 5 siblings only one survives now. Neither of my Grandfathers returned form the war. My mums family also lost everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 What a moving story Lynda, thank you for sharing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 Fascinating story Lynda. The photos are lovely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miffy Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 Thank you or sharing your interesting tale. You are so lucky to have these photos, and the stories behind them. Have you recorded your stories/family tree for prosperity?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joojoo Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 What a fascinating story and lovely photos, but how sad that they had to leave their home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamebird Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 I love looking at old photographs. They give you a fantastic snapshot of the past. Thanks for sharing them with us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
