While recently transcribing a journal, I was captivated by the names whose presence graced its pages and accompanying papers. Leather bound with delicate aged papers in beautiful script complete with reminiscing entries of the writer's everyday happenings.
Having done extensive research of the family names I coveted each and every paragraph.
Amongst the papers was a collection of birth, marriage and death announcements gathered by the author revealing the lives of those he endeared.
One such young woman was his niece Cinderella. Apparently not an uncommon name at the time (she was born in September 1869) it may have been inspired by her mother's love of the fairytale or the release of the play very popular during that era.
Alas as life would have it she did find her prince charming Edward to whom she wed and bore a son. She did not however live happily ever after for at the early age of 26 she was taken from this earth. Cinderella was buried in a little churchyard atop the escarpment overlooking her kingdom below...
23 comments:
Wonderful and sad at the same time. She was a beauty. What happened to her child? Do you know?
Nancy
What a lovely project!
And I never knew that Cinderella was actually used as a name. Never... Imagine that!
Aunt Amelia
"It's all right for a woman to be, above all, human. I am a woman first of all." ~
Oh dear... well now I want to know more! What happened to the child and her husband? What a treasured find! If only I could spend my days reading and transcribing like that. What will you do with the transcription? (:
Wonderful post!
oh, that is too sad...what a lovely lady she was
i like all of your new sidebar pictures!!!
What a heartwarming project to be working on. Sad but beautiful too that after all these years, someone like yourself who cares, has shared her story. More please! ~ xoxo Joy
What a beautiful story! I love to find old photos especially when there are names, or even better, a story about the people!
What a beautiful story ~ do you have another instalment you can share?
I love old photographs of people and imagining the lives that they led.
I never knew that Cinderella was used as a name (apart from the fairytale!) how romantic!
Like the others, I am amazed that Cinderella is an actual name. She was such a pretty girl, it certainly suited her but how sad that she did died so young.
By coincidence, my friend recently showed me some papers she obtained from the records office whilst researching her very old house. They are the memoirs of an old lady, written for her grandson on his marriage in 1964 when she was 94 years old. She was born in 1870 so was alive at the same time as Cinderella but obviously was more fortunate and led a long and on the whole, pretty good life. It is beautifully written and full of local history. I wish I could show it to you but it is stamped copyright to the records office so I don't think I would be allowed to put it on my blog.
Your daughter Jackie is a very clever girl, your new spring header is beautiful! The one of M'lady on the cliffs makes me think of du Maurier's Rebecca.
Susan...your blog is looking absolutely gorgeous!!! How captivating I agree...Cinderella, right out of a faerie tale...I too haven't heard that used as a name! You do indeed come across the most absorbing journals...Dzintra xx
What a beauty...and so small and delicate, too. I love your stories, it's so exciting to find out about people from "before"....Cinderella, that name suits her.
xo Lidy
Such a sad story. I had never heard the name of Cinderella used as a name...that is very curious to me. Back then, times were so hard and the everyday chores so time consuming it is amazing to me that people lived as long as they did. Imagine if you will, making bread in a wood stove everyday too eat, washing on a wash board with water from a stream...boiling water for baths...the list is endless.
How greatful I am for the modern conveniences of our time!
Kris
Interesting project and such a sad story.
Thank you for your sweet words, Dear One.
Aunt Amelia
"If not now, when?"
~~Rabbi Hillel
How wonderful it must be to transcribe the lives of those who lived in the past...it must be so fascinating to have a glimpse into their lives.
How very sad she died so young!
Wouldn't it be wonderful to see a movie somewhat like the Cinderella fairy tell....set in the late 1800's! Perhaps there already is..and I'm just not aware of it!
Many hugs to you Susan!
Doreen
oh my-what did happen to her son-
You have a divine blog as well! Thank you so much for visiting me! I was so happy to see a comment coming in at this hour of the morning! How did you find me? Don't you just love old photos? I have many more of my beautiful grandmother and family. I will share those when I get them scanned. I love old things too. There just isn't enough time (or money) to collect them all! I do love your story about Cinderella. Keep posted; I will be posting my little play soon. Blessings, Anita
Oh, poor Cinderella. I had no idea that name was popular back then! I hope she had a happy life in her 26 years.
She has such a contemporary face. She looks as though one might see her somewhere today. Beautiful. And, I never knew that name was actual...it makes the story somehow more poignant.
Said it before and I'll say it again ...adore your job! What treasures you unfold!!!A very sad and lovely story.Thanks for sharing.
Hugs Annabelle
What an interesting project, Susan. Cinderella does look like a princess in that photo, but what a short life she lived.
A joy to visit and read...
What a story.
With my best,
Karima
what an interesting post..I never thought Cinderella was actually used as a real name. I just made a Cinderella doll at someone's request so have had her on my mind lately.
Thanks so much for stopping by and looking at my Mrs. Bird. I will take the time to explore your lovely blog. Loribeth
Beautiful...she looks out from the photograph with such intensity, and I am almost waiting for her to say....something...as if to add to the beautiful words you have written.
Hugs Lynn xx
Post a Comment