What a cool word for this week's Sepia Saturday. Moustachinations is a word I've never actually heard of before. I've heard of "mo" and "tache" and then all the other facial hair descriptions like "flavour saver" and "goatie."
Anyway, the following photo is of a lot of moustachioed men which used to fascinate me as a teenager. It is what began my research into the family tree. I started this at 15 years old, rather young! I firstly asked my Grandma many questions about who was in the photos and then stories about their wives, children and general lives came out. My Mum had done a bit of this with her own Grandma and had a small notebook of information. I also asked my Great Grandma (who was in her 80s and 90s) many questions about her childhood and wrote them down on scraps of paper, which have eventually turned into this blog. This blog is even named after my Great Grandma!
My family are just a general run of the mill family, but the fact we have the most amazing family photo collection, has really sparked my imagination into life. Just look at this photo for example. The men look dapper and almost self important. The old man standing in the middle at the back is my 3 x great grandfather Jabez Lord who came from a poor family of weavers back in Yorkshire. His father was in jail in 1841 in the Wakefield House of Corrections. What he was in there for, I have not yet been able to discover, but every census record shows Jabez with other family members, not his own parents. Jabez travelled many thousands of miles to start a new life in Canterbury, New Zealand arriving in 1860 on the Clontarf and did very well for himself. He probably did better than he ever imagined, owning and running his own farm. When he sold up and retired to town, he was a wealthy man compared to his family back home.
The other people in the photo are his family. Click here for a list of names.
I think this photo was taken right on the year 1900, probably because it was a year that had a ring about it and seems to tally with the people in the photo. The photo had "Bealey Street" written on the back. Fred Lord, son of Jabez lived at 112 Bealey Street, Christchurch, New Zealand and we think that the photo is taken outside this house which no longer exists. Note the croquet sticks and tennis rackets - truly rich men's sports. The photo really reflects a family that seemed proud of itself - but hopefully not conceited. From my Grandma's stories of them, they seem very kind, hardworking and respectable people.
I think these are the best bunch of taches I have ever seen! What do you think?
You were certainly quick off the mark, Bel, , with a great photo on the theme. Some fine moustaches there and how wonderful to have such a group photo of your ancestors. .
ReplyDeleteA fine gathering of moustaches with all the fellows in dark suits - save one whose outfit I find rather dapper. Nice entry & great family picture.
ReplyDeleteCroquet was a fairly common family game, not necessarily a rich man's game. All you needed was a patch of grass. A great collection of mo-s
ReplyDeleteOh thanks boundforoz. I didn't realise it was so common. I read somewhere that it was a rich man's game, so just thought that was true!
DeleteI can understand why this was such an inspiring photo for you. Unlike the usual stiff pose of family groups of this era, this family has a more relaxed and inviting air. What do you suppose the occasion was? A birthday or anniversary?
ReplyDeleteThat is a good question Mike. We don't know why they had their photo taken. It may have been that one of the family members was leaving. Frank who I think is the guy on the end but can't be certain, went to Australia in about 1900 so maybe it was a leaving get together with a portrait? The funny thing is that half the Chch family are missing? I don't know why they weren't there. Did they have something else on?
DeleteMy favorite tache is Charles Lawrence Lord's. I also like his little hat. This is indeed an inspiring photo - so nice and clear. It's easy to imagine them playing games out on the lawn.
ReplyDeleteAnyone would be proud of those moustaches but that they are in a family photo makes them extra special. A relaxed photo indeed.
ReplyDeleteGreat photo! And I love the white flannels for tennis -- my goodness, you'd think they'd all pass out from heatstroke!
ReplyDeleteYou are fortunate to have such a great picture of your family. I was surprised to see that the name Jabez so prevalent in your family. I have over a doxen in my McPherson/Burns line. The first Jabez was named for Jabez Bunting, a well known Weslyan preacher in the Lancaster area in the early 1800s. They were also associated with folks in the Temperance movement and in the flax trade in Dundee.
ReplyDeleteI also like the sports equipment shown in the photo --- seemed to be important to folks in the mid to late 1800s.
Hi Joan and thanks for your comments. Did you know that the name Jabez means "sorrow" or "sorrowmaker." What a horrible name to give a child! Anyway I think Jabez father caused him more sorrow than the other way around! That is interesting you have the name Jabez as well. I've come across a few in Chch at the time my ancestor came out. So must have been slightly popular at that time.
DeleteGreat to have so many mos in one photo. Seems the only clean shaven man is the youngster on the end. I wonder if he was too young to grow a mo, or maybe thought he'd make a clean start (in Australia)!
ReplyDeleteLovely family portrait...and I can just hear all the bickering as the shot was set up, and here they are preserved for all time in these poses, without an echo of the games or the difficulty holding poses.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photo! I especially like the moustache on the fellow in the boater.
ReplyDeleteThomas Priestley Lord is my favorite. Indeed a fine family of moustashes.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful photo, so crisp and clear even after so many years.
ReplyDeleteDee
It's a lovely photo, and a great set of moustaches.
ReplyDelete