52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – Favourite Photo

This aim of this challenge is to write about one ancestor every week in 2024, according to a given prompt. I will be writing about my ancestors and also about other family members.

“…………Tell the story of a favorite photo: Who is in it, when and where it was taken, and why it was taken. (That last part is often left out!) Feel free to leave your links and stories (and photos!) in the comments”.  – Amy Johnson Crow

The photo below is my favourite of the few photos that I have featuring my ancestors. The photo was taken on my great grandparents wedding day.

Earnest Welfare WATERS married Hilda Mary Beatrice GILMOUR on 29 January 1902. At the time of their marriage Ernest was living at Rochester, but they married at the Salvation Army in Fitzroy. Hilda’s home was Fitzroy. They were both committed members of The Salvation Army. After their marriage, they made their home at Rochester.

After their marriage, Earnest and Hilda continued their Salvation Army connection. I can well remember my grandparents wearing their Salvation Army uniforms at all times. They were both very active members and very highly respected by all at their Salvation Army corps. As a young person, most times when I came into contact with a Salvation Army elder, they would want to talk to me about my great grandparents. They were very highly respected.

This was the second marriage for Ernest. He was married to Elizabeth MACROW on 21 February 1899. Elizabeth had been a Salvation Army Officer, but was required to step down from that position when they married, as Salvation Army Officers could only marry other Officers. Elizabeth passed away, almost two years after their marriage on 11 January 1901.

You will notice the musical instrument my great grandfather is holding in his wedding portrait. It is a cornet which he played for many years in the Salvation Army Band. I have the feeling that this cornet was his pride and joy. I remember it well, and it’s still in the family.

Earnest and Hilda were the parents of my grandmother Leola Jean WATERS

Earnest Waters and Hilda Mary Beatrice Gilmour on their wedding day

In the News

The newspaper article below was taken on the occasion of my great grandparents, Earnest and Hilda’s sixtieth wedding anniversary. It was taken in my aunts lounge room. I know that because I was there. That is me, inb the family photo, above, third from the left, behind my great grandmother. My mother is on the couch, on the right, holding my younger sister.

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