From the time I married in the 1970’s to this very day, making family memories and creating traditions has been a big part of my life. And I must give my parents credit for my endeavors in this area.
My father was the picture taker in our family. He purchased a “movie camera” (that’s what we called them back in the day) in 1957. Movie cameras became available for home use right before World War 2, and they became more widespread in the 1950’s as the baby boomer population grew. And oh, how I treasure those sweet memories when my father grabbed that movie camera for so many special occasions when I was growing up. In my mind’s eye, I can still see my father attaching a cumbersome four-light apparatus to the camera itself. That thing must have been heavy. And certainly awkward in comparison to our video taking on cell phones. How I wish someone in our family had saved that camera! And Daddy made sure the still-picture camera was always close by.
My mother was into the photo albums and scrapbooks for me and my three sisters. I don’t think she got into all the photo albums out of necessity with the many pictures my dad was taking over the years, rather, I believe she just really enjoyed her hobby. And thankfully she dated all of our pictures! When we live in a digital day and age where photos are saved in google, I feel I am holding a valuable treasure in my hands as I look through my own childhood photo albums. Words escape me to describe my amazement when I look at my 60-plus-years baby scrapbook which contains all of my baby congratulations cards. First, I can’t believe my mother saved all of those. Second, baby congratulation cards are almost extinct these days.
Take note of the pictures. I still have the original movie projector my father set up for family movie time in my childhood years. He would heave a bit as he lugged the large screen on a heavy stand out of the storage closet to get everything set up. My scrapbook shows only a couple of pages of those many precious baby cards my parents received. Such memories—oh, those were the days!
The example of my parents preserving memories through the family cameras, albums, scrapbooks and traditions ignited my desire to do the same for my own family. What are some ways you preserve memories in your families today?
Becky Van Vleet
Thank you, Patti, for visiting my website and sharing your memories of these old movie cameras. I love to share these old family memories with my readers and friends–such a treasure!
Patti Shene
Becky, you sure brought back memories with this post! My Grammie and step grandfather had the same type of movie set up and we enjoyed many of those home movies. Sadly, I have no idea where those movies are now and neither my parents or I were good about categorizing and labeling pictures. I told a friend just the other day how much I regret that. Thank you for this journey down memory lane!
Becky Van Vleet
Hi Debbie, Yes, I saw the picture you sent to me and you’re right, these kinds of pictures on cards and announcements were similar and beautiful, ‘back in the day”. Thank you for sharing!
Debra Scales
Becky,
I found my birth announcement. I told you earlier I thought mine might be just like yours, but it isn’t. I don’t know how to post a photo of it inside this comment box, but I’ll send a photo of it to you somehow.
They are quite similar and are “typical” of the 1950’s era!
Debbie
Becky Van Vleet
Thank you, Debbie. Our friendship goes back many years, and now it’s fun to think about us becoming writing buddies! Oh, and if you find that card, let me know! Have a wonderful trip.
Debra Scales
Becky, I just read one of your blog posts. I’m an eleventh-hour packer for trips, and we fly out tomorrow morning. YIKES!
Your website is GORGEOUS! The colors, graphics, words and everything are perfect.
I saw your baby birth announcement in the scrapbook photo. Guess what? I believe mine may be identical!! I’ll have to dig it out another day to be sure.
Oh, Becky, this shared love of writing draws us even closer! I’ll definitely subscribe, and I will comment often.
But for now, ALOHA!
Derinda
Great website, Becky. I look forward to seeing more posts.
Becky Van Vleet
Thank you, Derinda!
Elizabeth Van Vleet
An amazing mother and an amazing author. I am so proud to be your daughter. I love you!
Becky Van Vleet
Thank you, sweet Lizzie!