Grandaddy and Melvin.

My grandfather, Theron Dale Campbell (b. 1930) and his little brother Melvin Densmore Campbell (b. 1933 d. 1999).

I love grandaddy's hat and Melvin's yo-yo. A classic American image in my opinion.

Uncle Dick, c. 1919.

Charles Richard Bennett, my great uncle. Dick was born in 1915 to John and Adelaide Bennett. He was the 4th of 15 surviving children.

Dick was the only one of 9 sons whos hair was left long like this. Like 7 of his brothers he participated in the Second World War.

Late Edwardian Wedding: Joseph and Edna Todt, 1914.

These are my great-grandparents, Joseph Jacob Todt and Edna Mary Hemler on their wedding day. They were married in October of 1914 in Hanover, Pennsylvania. In the first image, Edna is seated next to Joe and their bridesmaid and groomsman stand behind them.

Edna's gown and boots are just lovely and the scans do not do them justice. Her boots are typical Edwardian canvas button-boots with a Louis heel and poined toe. The dress, that appaears to be of satin and lace, is an example of Art Nouveau.

Early 20's Style and Later 20's Style: Aunt Mildred.

This is one of my great-nanny's older sisters, Mildred Hailie Cyrus, who was born in 1903 and married Rudy Watson around 1929. The first photograph shows her in about 1927 in a mid-1920's knee-length dress with pleated skirt. The second, taken earlier in about 1923, shows her in an early 20's ankle-lenghth, silk gown with a drop waist.

The change in her dress and hair are very interesting to me. I find that she even looks younger and more vibrant in the later photograph. This is a perfect example of the transition between early 1920's fashion and the very different styles that came into vouge by the end of the 20's. In a way it illustrates the progressive nature of the decade itself.

Alice Mae and Reva Cyrus.

Matching portraits of my great-nanny's younger sisters. Taken on their father's farm in Concord, Campbell Co. Virginia in 1928.

Alice Mae was born in 1916 and is still living. Her younger sister Reva Vivian was born in 1919 and died last year. These photographs were given to me by Alice a few years ago.

Great-nanny and great-grandaddy 1928.

My great grandparents Ralph Vernell Campbell and (Myrtle) Hazel Cyrus. A studio portrait most likely taken in Lynchburg Virginia sometime in 1928, the year of their marriage. At the time they were married, Ralph was only 17 and Hazel 18. Their first child, my grandaddy, was born in 1930.

I love Hazel's gloves and Ralph's ascot is just great. Neither of them came from money in the least. These were their best Sunday cloths to be sure.