Genealogy Chat

Yes, that's what I meant!! Overactive - bulgy eyes and underweight! (like my mum!) Sarah

Doh, Jaqui - I was going to post exactly what you said, but went and ate my lunch instead!! Yes, overactive thyroid can cause those bulgy eyes - Was she underweight too?? Sarah

Thanks Jacquie I didn't even think about their being some sort of medical problem. There could be something in the thyroid problem sarah

I reckon it was taken early 1900's. Not so much that she looked miserable, just downright creepy with these big googly eyes. Mind you, I dread to think what future generations would say if they ever saw a photo of me lol I did see as well a small photo of her father, and he was pretty normal looking thank goodness Sarah

She may have had all her teeth out as a young woman, to save on dentist's bills, or been in chronic pain with few means of relieving it.......... or she could have been the granny from hell. We can't choose our ancestors and I'm glad that a few centuries divide me from some of mine. A bunch of my father's great aunts and uncles look perfect frights. I used to laugh at the photos. As I get older, guess who I'm starting to look like?!

You don't say how old the photo is, but don't forget many people felt very nervous in front of the camera when they were not used to it. Maybe this gave her a less than cheerful expression?? If it's a really old pic, then she may have had to keep very still for a lengthy exposure time. Did your rellie have any stories about this lady? (any nice ones, to counter how you feel?) I'm glad no one has ever asked me to like some of my formidible ancestors - remember their world was very different to our own. Hope you don't stop her line - her grandparents might have been lovely people!!! - or you might be right and her granddad might have been an axe murderer or something - you would probably want to know that if it were true!! Sarah

I went on a longawaited trip two days ago to visit my Great Aunt who's well into her 70's. She loves telling all the old family stories and has a treasure trove full of photographs. I had been dying to see a photo of my g g grandmother, but the first thing that came out of my mouth was 'I don't like her'. She's the most scariest looking thing I've ever seen, and she wasn't that old in it. Even now I'm back home, I keep looking at the picture, trying to like her but I can't. If I had known that I wouldn't have bothered finding out about her family lol