Helping To Picture the Bushbys

Just over 2 years ago, thanks to cousins Ann and Wendy, a wonderful package of Elsie Boulton's letters written from 1913 to 1957 arrived in my lap. They helped me get to know some of the Bushby family so I wrote several blog posts about them in the fall of 2017. Another cousin Linda has recently gone to a huge amount of work to scan  pictures that likely accompanied these letters so many years ago. I imagine that Elsie would have been treasured these pictures as family she would never have the opportunity to see in person. I've linked back to the original blog post and hope others enjoy seeing the faces behind the names as much as I have.  

Reading Frances "Lena" Carpenter's letters to her sister Elsie becomes so much more personal when you see the above picture of Lena and Jim and their daughters Barbara and Kitty. I wonder if it is their wedding picture from 1906 and the girls were born in 1908 and 1910 to help date these moments in time. 

The above group is second youngest sister Dorothy, known as Dorrie and her husband Ewart Pickett. He was a church organist at one time and looks the part in this portrait.  They did not have children but Dorrie looked after their father James William Bushby when he returned to England. Cousin Sharon has this picture of the two of them out in the garden on a sunny day in England.  

 

These nieces of Elsie's are the daughters of her brother Walter and his wife Martha. Dorothy Francis (top two) was born in 1913 in New Jersey and her younger sister Edna Martha (below) in 1915.  Elsie had named her own daughter Edna and ironically, the letters announcing the birth and naming of the cousins crossed in the mail! What are the odds??  

Youngest sister Gertie came to Canada with Elsie in 1913 and I'm sure held a special place in her heart.  She sadly died right after the birth of her daughter June in 1929, who bears a striking resemblance to her in the side by side pictures. 

 

These five photos of June above show that Gertie's widower husband Charlie made sure Elsie saw her niece June in pictures.  

The distinguished portrait of Elsie's father James William above helps me think of him of the talented artist and carpenter he was. His letters to his daughter are full of affection and love. 

Many thanks to Randy's cousins who make this blog possible.  So many stories to tell and I'm glad that retirement gives more time to tell them!  

Sandbox Kids

It was a cool day in 1962 and these 5 Boulton cousins were playing happily in the sandbox at Reston Memorial Park.  Someone’s mother or father said "Hey, look here for a picture!" and that moment in time has lived on for almost 60 years since.

Robbie Milliken, Ann Milliken, Randy Boulton, Lyle Forsyth, Glenn Elliott

Twelve years later in 1974, someone wanted the group to pose together again. 

Robbie, Glenn, Ann, Lyle, Randy

1994 was the Year of the Family and the Boulton reunion that summer saw the Five Musketeers together again.
  

Randy, Lyle, Ann, Robbie, Glenn

The call was made at the  2019 Boulton reunion  for the group to say cheese again. 

Robbie, Ann, Randy, Glenn, Lyle

Whether it’s been a week, a month or a year, these cousins can see each other with a sense of history and connection. Their Boulton genes show in the ready smiles and easy going attitudes to pose for a picture together when someone calls for the Sandbox Kids.  Changing hairstyles and fashions are captured in these moments of time.  Parents, siblings, cousins and now spouses are pleased when the gang is together again.