This is a selection of pictures sent back from USA by Christina Connor. Many, if not all, of these pictures have messages or notes written on the back by Christina or Walter Tutty, her first husband. I will not go into lots of detail on Christina on this post as it is more about getting the pictures published for people to see. The first picture, taken in Vancouver, was found amongst the box of pictures pased on to me when my mum (Janette Price – Janet Sinclair) passed away. It looked so like my mum when she was young that I had to do a double take.
Christina was born in Blinkbonny, Scotland in 1892 and the family moved to Carluke some time before 1901. She then emigrated first to Canada in 1912 at age 20 and then across the border to USA in 1915. She married Walter Tutty around 1915 eventually divorcing him in 1927. She then married Alexander Williamson Hamilton of Glasgow before settling down and having, to my knowledge, an only daughter.
Christina sent back lots of pictures to family in Carluke and some of these are below. One name that keeps popping up in Christina’s pictures is Maud. It appears that Maud was a close friend who not only travelled with her, but visited Christina’s family in Scotland at some point.
If you are related to anyone in the pictures, let me know and if you would like copies of the pictures and scans of the back, I can email them on to you.
Written on the back: “To Minnie and John with best wishes. From Teen. 12/3/15.”
Stamped on the front is: The Progress Studio, Vancouver B.C.
Minnie and John were John and Williamina Sinclair (m.s. Connor)
Written on back: “This was taken over at the country, we are all sitting at the end of the dock. Little Maudie and me where the crosses is. “
Written on back: “This is Mr and Mrs Roberts, Walter & I taken the last time we went to the city. That is Maud’s house the back of the car also her car.”
Written on back: “This don’t look a very good picture but I wanted you to see the hole in my neck. Don’t show it to anyone outside of the family.”
Written on back: “This is Walter taken at the back door”
Written on back: “This was taken over at the country we are having a fine time to steady the boat”
Written on back: “This is Walter. We call thsi picture (Braveheart) as he was the only one who would go in the water, we thought it was too cold.”
Written on back: “This was taken over at the country. take notice we are having a coffee party.”
Written on back: “Walter & Harry. Taken at Jenner by the Sea. This is where they surf fish. Maud and I would like to know what they are thinking about.”
Written on back: “Dear Mum, this is a photo of Teenie, me and the brothers wife & there little girl taken last summer down in the country. This is were we are going to take Teenie to get the beach hut. Wal”
Written on back: “The twa men”
Written on back: “The girl in this picture took these. Her and her three brothers run the farm house. Thay are very nice people.”
Written on back: “This was taken at the Panama Exposition on Sunday.”
Written on back: “Here it is again. This is what they call trellis work. We have started some climbing roses which will make it very pretty.”
Written on back: “Mr Mrs RJ Smith and Bill taken on the lawn”
Written on back: “Dear Mum this is the photo of our little cottage & that suppose to be me in the front. These were taken last year but could not wend them on account of the closing. Walt” [Walter Tutty]
Written on back: “This was taken at the country we are on the beach hunting for agaties notice the sail boat and the dog in the motor.”
Written on back: “Dear Mum, This was taken in our back yard. Can you recognise who it is. Wal”
Written on back: “This was taken in June when I spent a week here. THis is a private beach belonging to Mr McNear. I can walk out of the house and into the water, and back with nobidy seeing me.”
Written on back: “This is Walter, Mrs Roberts and myself [Christina] taken one Sunday about an hours ride from San Francisco. Note the fruit trees behind us.”
Written on back: “Maud & Tee with Walter at back. This was taken on McNear’s front porch, note the concrete slabs that we are standing on. Walter put them in last winter. There is green grass between the slabs.”
Written on back: “My Dear Mother, I am longing for a letter having had none for six weeks. I have written Minnie a letter and have no more paper left, so I am sending a few pictures. This one was taken when I was on my holiday. Wal took it with the camera. We are both well. Hoping when this reaches you to find you well. We Remain your loving Son and Daughter. Wal and Tee”
Written on back: “Walter always insists on a close up of me. But I don’t like them. I look so old. But he says the camera don’t lie so I must really be gettting old. 30 this birthday.”
Written on back: “This is a very poor one of Helen & I, Taken in San Francisco. But she wants to send it. It was taken one Saturday when we were down town shopping.”
