A Treasure

My cousin sent me a picture of my paternal grandmother, Rafaella (Mottola) Todisco. She was called Fannie. I only know her from photographs and have never seen a picture of her this young.

I love old photographs and trying to figure out when and why the photograph was taken. She's posed and appears to be wearing her Sunday best. I can see the edge of a hat in her elaborate up-do. She's posed so obviously this is a professionally taken photograph.

I have a similar photograph of my maternal grandmother. The picture was printed as a postcard as on the back there are markings for address.

She's wearing a piece of jewelry, perhaps a brooch or a watch attached to her collar. On her left hand, she appears to be wearing a ring. Maybe an engagement ring or a wedding ring and she's carrying a small purse.

My grandparents were married in April of 1918 and my dad was born a year later in 1919. I'm guessing this picture was taken between 1917 and 1918. Grandma would have been 26 or 27 years old.

For some reason, I always thought my dad favored his father, but I can clearly see dad favored his mother, and I can see myself, too.