Back in the late 1990’s, a cousin gave me an envelope of old photos. There was one photo that overwhelmed me. The photo below was crop and colorized version. However, a copy of the actual black and white photo is at the end of the list of names.
And as I saw the photo for the first time, I was wondering, who was who? On the back of the photo I found their names. They were my Great Grandparents, Robert and Charlotta with their seven children. Now, as I look at each family member in this photo, I know something about their lives. I don’t know much about the family dog.
The LANKFARD Family:
The family resided at 2411 Messanie Street in St. Joseph, Missouri. They were standing at the front side of the house facing south. The photo was take in 1892. The crop photo was colored by My Heritage tool.
I wasn’t told the story behind the photo. It is a family portrait. They were dress with their Sunday’s best on. Each person and dog made their own pose. I wonder why the the mother was set apart from the others, What was she holding? What she looking at? What about the ways the children held. their hands? What about the father? He put his left arm behind his back. This was interesting to notice. Even how they were dressed. The family dog was looking away.
I included each family members’ full names at the time of this photo. Also I added the family members who weren’t born yet. Their years of birth and death dates known. The links are there if you want to know more about each person..
The mother
Charlotta (DADE) LANKFARD,
Mrs. Robert Louis LANKFARD
Frederick A. LANKFARD,
Lula M. LANKFARD
the future Mrs. William E. MADISON Sr.
Next to Lula,
Louis Adward LANKFARD,
James Andrew LANKFARD
behind Louis’ left side and
the father,
Robert Louis LANKFARD next to James
The little girl on the left is
Anna Alice LANKFARD
who’s in front of Frederick
Leo LANKFARD
is next to Anna Alice, the future Mrs. C.C. SMITH
Charles Edward LANKFARD about age 2
is next to Leo
The LANKFARD Family dog is next to Charles.
Those who are missing in the photo are those who were not born yet.
Stillborn Daughter LANKFARD,
(1893- 1893)
Nymadula “Nym” LANKFARD,
(1896 – 1965)
Isabella V, LANKFARD NICKERSON
(1889 – 1937)
and
Unnamed LANKFARD
Thanks for reading.
One Of My Favorite Photos Of The Lankfard Family
Leo was my maternal grandfather.
God bless you.
S.A.Blakley
Week 2 in Amy Johnson Crow’s #52Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge for 2025
Week 2’s theme is “Favorite Photo.”
Yes, I’ve included this prompt in the last few years of 52 Ancestors, and for good reason:
Photos capture our family history like few other things can.
Besides, how can you limit yourself to one?!
This week, tell the story of a favorite photo:
who is in it, where and when was it taken, and – just as important – why was it taken?
January 10, 2025
