Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

BoredPanda Add post form topAdd Post Search
Tooltip close

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

Time Traveling: I’ve Recreated The Old Photos Of My Ancestors Going Back 200 Years
User submission
24.9K
393.8K

Time Traveling: I’ve Recreated The Old Photos Of My Ancestors Going Back 200 Years

ADVERTISEMENT

I grew up in a spooky old house filled with old pictures. However, there was one that always stood out to me. It was of an older woman with hair parted harshly down the middle and a blank tired expression on her face. Initially, I found the old photo creepy, but as I got older, I began to see similarities between her face and mine.

Earlier this year, my Mother gave me a dress she had held on to for over twenty-five years. She was photographed in it at the age of 32, and that vintage photography piece had hung in the stairwell for as long as I could remember. I tried the dress on, and amazingly it fit pretty well! I was also 32 at the time, and as a photographer, the thought occurred to me to recreate (what was to me) a famous family picture.

I began looking through my Mom’s scrapbooks and asking questions and was able to collect the names, birth dates, and images of every mother’s mother in my family tree going back 200 years. It took a few weeks, but I started recreating each ancestor’s portrait, matching the clothes and lighting as best I could. I sewed several pieces and had to paint some of the imagery to give it an authentic appearance. When I finished, I was amazed that in each time travel picture, I saw different features of my own face in these women.

More info: Instagram | Facebook

Me (born 1981)

My great-great-great-grandmother Martha (born 1821) and me

My great-great-grandmother Jane (1858) and me

ADVERTISEMENT

My great-grandmother Attie Mae (1898) and me

My Grandmother Mildred (1928) and me

ADVERTISEMENT

My Mother Kathryn (1957) and me

My future daughter Trigger (born TBD)

I’m not without a sense of humor :P

394Kviews

Share on Facebook
You May Like
Popular on Bored Panda
What do you think ?
Add photo comments
POST
Tom avatar
Tom
BoredPanda Staff
Verified
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What an awesome idea! I wish I had the photos of my ancestors. Unfortunately, I think my family only has the photos of my grandparents.

alinadesuja avatar
alinadesuja
Community Member
9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I Got Hooked On Having An Online Business Almost A Decade Ago When I Created An Online Course And Made My First.➜➜➜➜➜➜usa-review.com

Load More Replies...
hildaf_maughan avatar
HildaFMaughan
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To me, you look most like Attie Mae. You have your grandmother's smile. And ervryone is beautiful Thanks for the picdtures. Great idea!

ella.lavi avatar
LaviniaHusar
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think you look gorgeous in all the pictures. You got all the best features from all those ancestors :D

Load More Comments
Tom avatar
Tom
BoredPanda Staff
Verified
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What an awesome idea! I wish I had the photos of my ancestors. Unfortunately, I think my family only has the photos of my grandparents.

alinadesuja avatar
alinadesuja
Community Member
9 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I Got Hooked On Having An Online Business Almost A Decade Ago When I Created An Online Course And Made My First.➜➜➜➜➜➜usa-review.com

Load More Replies...
hildaf_maughan avatar
HildaFMaughan
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To me, you look most like Attie Mae. You have your grandmother's smile. And ervryone is beautiful Thanks for the picdtures. Great idea!

ella.lavi avatar
LaviniaHusar
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think you look gorgeous in all the pictures. You got all the best features from all those ancestors :D

Load More Comments
Popular on Bored Panda
Trending on Bored Panda
Also on Bored Panda