Wordless Wednesday – Williams Family 1907

I love Wordless Wednesday’s as I get a chance to talk about a photograph!
This photograph was taken about 1907/8.  It shows my maternal grandmother Martha WILLIAMS (formerly BENYON) standing outside her house with her first five children.
Martha (age about 32) is holding Doris who was born in 1907, Doris looks to be about 6-9 months old so I suppose the photo could be 1908.  They are standing in the doorway of their house at 70 Westminster Road, Hoole, Chester.  The house is still there today, in those days it was a two up two down end of terrace house with an outside toilet at the bottom of the yard. The facilities would be very rudimentary with cold running water and a coal fire for heating the rooms and water, the lighting would most likely be by gas.

Also in this photograph are:
John (aka Jack) born 1898
Gertrude Mary (aka Gertie) born 1900
May Alexandra born 1901
Robert Henry (aka Harry) born 1904

It is amazing how such a small house could support so many people, and there were still another six children to come!

Entertaining the Ancestors

May 9th is Mum’s birthday, she would have been 93 today.  As I said in the other post Mum loved to sing and entertain, so I expect she is now somewhere “Entertaining the Ancestors“.  This post compliments a previous one – “When Father Papered the Parlour“.  These photo’s are just a few of the ones I have of her entertaining.

Chester Guildhall Choir c1938 – Hilda is 3rd from right

Preparing for the Upton Heath WI concert c1966 dressed in Welsh national costume. 2nd from left front row.

Hilda attended Hamilton Street Methodist Church in Hoole, Chester. Here she is practicing for a church Christmas concert “We Three Kings”.

All the costumes were home made – I remember those sheets on my bed!

Never a dull moment – She was always smiling and laughing

With Flo her best mate and co-conspirator! They always took dressing up clothes when they went on holiday.

Front in white – Not bad for 83yrs. Modelling with the Plas Newton WI.
This newspaper cutting is also one of many.  I must get them all copied before they age.