Grandpa John G Williams 130th birthday!

130 years ago today, February 17, 1888, my paternal Grandpa, John Griffith Williams was born to Joseph and Elizabeth Williams, in Blaenau Ffestiniog, Wales. 

He seems to have been quite a character. He immigrated to Canada in 1910 at the age of 23. He was the only one in his family to do so. He never went back to Wales. 

He married Ellen Egerton in approximately 1918 or 1919. She was also from North Wales, so I have a hunch they met over there. They had 2 sons together, but sadly one of them died in 1925, and then Ellen died in 1926. 

Thankfully for me, Grandpa re-married Alma May Palmer in 1928 when he was 40, and their first son, my Dad, John Herbert, was born in 1929. Grandpa had 6 more children, 9 in total.

This photo shows my grandparents in my parent's home celebrating their birthdays together. Grandma was born January 20, 1908. She was 20 years younger than her husband.

Grandpa on the left, Robert in the middle, William on the right. Blaenau Ffestiniog, Wales, approximately 1910.

A young Grandpa on the prairies, probably Alberta.

He lived there for a while, then moved to Spalding SK.

He loved horses all his life, winding up taking care of the horses for Crystal Dairies in Vancouver BC in the 1940's.

This is my favourite picture of Grandpa. You can tell he was a real character. He moved to Vancouver in 1941, and began a new life working at Burrard Dry Docks during WWII, and having 3 more children here. By the time I knew him, he was a very quiet man, and quite frail. At least that's how he appeared to me. He died in June 1974. 

Happy birthday, Grandpa! Thank you for your adventures which led you to Canada.

By Loretta Williams Houben

Little Girls playing with their Dolls

“The dolls had been having their afternoon nap, but they were awake now, and Bertha said she heard them crying; so the little girls left off playing “Hide and Seek,” and went back to the nursery. Here Mary taught her doll to walk, leading her by the hand, and pretending they were out in the green fields; while Bertha tossed her child in the air – “the higher the better” – and made such a merry noise, laughing and talking to her, that if Dolly was not amused, it must have been her own fault.”

This adorable vintage engraving of two little girls playing with their dolls is from Little Folks and Little Friends by Oscar Pletsch, circa 1880.

This adorable vintage engraving, by Oscar Pletsch, features two little girls preparing dinner with their toy dishes, small table and play stove. Here is an excerpt of the story from the book: “…the little girls began to cook their dinner. It was great fun, Mary thought; indeed, she liked it almost better than playing with Dolly. She mixed the pancakes, while Bertha warmed the soup upon her little toy stove. “It is boiling splendidly already!” said she, before Mary had finished; – and that was all the more surprising, because – to tell you a secret – there was no fire in the stove! But “making believe very much” will do wonders, as I dare say you have found.”  

Aren't the above engravings adorable?

Little children had such fun playing make believe in past years.

I think too much electronic gizmos must rather fry their little brains.

I believe "make believe" play is very good for them.

I found these sweet illustrations on a lovely blog:
Old Design Shop

I found it by checking out Pinterest, a daily habit of mine!

Enjoy!

By Loretta Houben