This was my great aunt Willa…

She was my grandfather’s older sister. I forget what year this was taken, but I remember her looking like this. She was in my life until I was about 18.

Willa was a milliner by trade; she went to the white trade school and learned how to make beautiful hats. Then she took that knowledge into our community and taught others (which was often how it was done).

With my grandfather (who was a cobbler) she built a business where people bought hats and shoes. The shop was on Canal St in New Orléans, and people also got their shoes and hats repaired there.

I inherited some of the hats she made.

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DeWayfarer · 61-69, M

My grandparents and their four boys.

Grandfather was a barber. My father was the second from the right. He was was baker.

Image was taken likely in Pardubice Czechoslovakia around 1924. Dad was about 4 years old. So grandfather was born in the late 1800s.

I only knew my father. Though my grandmother was still alive in the 1960s, likely still in Czechoslovakia and behind the iron curtain. Possibly in Poland though. That was where her heritage was.

bijouxbroussard · F

@DeWayfarer Very attractive family. I love the sailor suits. 😊

ChipmunkErnie · 70-79, M

Have photos of those hats? Oh, and a cobbler? Haven't seen a cobbler's shop in decades. Used to be one on Main Street when I was a kid -- got new heels put on my shoes a few times back then. Nowadays I guess kids just toss out shoes with worn heels.

Mamapolo2016 · F

Have you ever worn any of her hats? You have a fascinating family, yourself included.

bijouxbroussard · F

@Mamapolo2016 I don’t know if you remember the Halloween picture where I was dressed in 1940’s garb ? Those were her clothes, with a hat that she had made. 😊

sciguy18 · M

What a neat photo to find. And no wonder you’re always knitting hats…

bijouxbroussard · F

@sciguy18 I’ve thought about that. 😄

sciguy18 · M

@bijouxbroussard I have a photo somewhere of my nonna (grandmother) in her backyard holding up a rabbit - it was for dinner. Don’t think I’ll be recreating that scene…

bijouxbroussard · F

@sciguy18 My grandmother had been a farm girl in rural Louisiana. She grew up able to break a chicken’s neck with her bare hands. Once, when Mom told me that and I recoiled, Grandma said, "You like le poulet frit, yes ? That doesn’t just happen."😅

ArtieKat · M

Your aunt reminds me of my maternal grandmother, who lived until she was 94.

markinkansas · 61-69, M

a great picture.. my guess of time would be the 30s or 40s from the dress

Thewhazzupdude ·

They had a business from head to toe!

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