When I was 69: Sepia "Sunday?"

Sunday, April 12, 2026

Sepia "Sunday?"

I knew I had some interesting old homes to share, but it took a while before I could plug in the external hard drive to search for them.

Sepia Saturday says: "We've always been proud of our houses. Once affordable cameras became available to the general public, we have highlighted that pride by having our photographs taken outside our houses. It doesn't matter whether we are talking about mansions or cottages, caravans or terraces: we want our photographs taking whilst we are lined up alongside them. This week on Sepia Saturday we are celebrating houses and you are invited to share your old photographs by posting them on or around Saturday 11th April and leaving a link ..."

I love this neat old house...when it was not brand new, but the yard was established with flowers and a tree had been planted, as well as a big bush by the front steps. That could be the man who did most of the hard work leaning against the wall.

Google street photo of my Geat grandfather, Alexander John Swasey's home, where my grandmother grew up, Galveston TX.

Alexander John Swasey, 1853-1913. I don't know much about GGranddad Swasey, as there are just dates bookmarking his life. His wife was a Christian Science practitioner, as well as my grandmother when she grew to adulthood.

GGranddad Swasey was born in Charleston SC, just before the Civil War, while his ship-captain father was imprisoned for the duration 1861-65. His father returned from Massachusetts prison to die in Charleston in 1866. How did John (as he went by that name) get to Galveston? That's probably where he met his wife, who he married in 1881. My grandmother Ada Swasey Rogers, was born there in 1886.

She married George Rogers and he built a house, which was still standing in the 1970s. I'm searching for photos that were taken then.

House built by George Rogers Sr. in Galveston, TX

I've posted a bit before about Galveston and my family which came from there.
my-family-from-galveston

Our front steps were often the site for family photos...my mother on the left, and obviously in love with my dad centered, with grandmom the next step down ...San Antonio TX. My parents married November 1936, and lived with his parents for a while.

Mother and dad, with baby sister, and myself standing in front of my first home in Dallas TX 1946.

Christmas 1954 in St. Louis, my sister Mary on left, and myself on the right in our poodle skirts and dolls. At 12, I was a bit old for a doll. But loved the faux collar of red velvet with bead work.