Marge and Jack's wedding - Nov. 10, 1947 - Who's who?

Here are some photos from Mom and Dad's (Marge and Jack) wedding. If you recognize some of the people in the photos please identify them or let me know. I recognize Dad's parents (Agnes and Wally) and his Aunt Lily, and Grandma Johnson (I think) but am not sure about the others. Are the bridesmaids Rene and Ida perhaps? Is the flower girl possibly Mavis? Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

Colwyn Bay 1954 - The Whiteheads and O'Donnells

A day out at the beach. Somehow all our beach shots are next to a wall - must be the wind factor!

Rene O'Donnell aged 18 - here is a little story she told me yesterday

My Mum Rene (Grace Irene O'Donnell) was telling me a story yesterday about her Auntie Grace - who she was named after. Grace Johnson was Martha's sister in law - Edward's sister. The story which is a really sad one goes like this.

Grace (born 1884) was married and had 6 sons. She was 33 when her husband died really young. With no widow's pension she couldn't support them and she had to place her boys aged 12, 10, 9, 6 and 2 younger boys in the Blue Coat Orphanage in Liverpool. How sad it that! Grace never remarried and died in 1951 aged 67. I wonder what happened to all her boys. I have added more info taken from the census and birth and death records - take a look in comments.
What is also amazing is that 2 generations later Mark and Simon O'Donnell and Stephen Powell (my son) went to the very same 'Blue Coat' which by then had become a boarding school.

Tommy and Gracie O"Donnell (Simon and Jane' Children)

Maddie and Charlie. Matha's Great, Great Grandchildren. Mother is Jo, daughter of Wendy and Tom O'Donnell, and Partner Mick Southworth.

Matha's spirit lives on

Andy, Kate, Wendy and Tom on the veranda at Toucari Bay, January 2010

Sharon & Graeme's wedding August 2009

Sharons wedding August 2009

Lynnes wedding

Rene Sue Pat Helen & Sally ? at Lynnes Wedding

Canal Day Out

Gerry, Dolly, Vera, David, Vera, Stephen, Jim & Veronica (?)

Photo of Tom ODonnell (Left)

Tommy ODonnell (centre) and

Simon ODonnell (right)

Christmas 2009.

Good Idea

Kate,
Thanks for organising this, I think it will be great.
love Mark.
Your photo looks Far too good, the one of Carmel and I is the only one I have of us together if she ever sees it i will have to change it. hope you and family are all well. Best regards to Uncle Andy

Boxing Day 2008 in Lydiate at my house. I will add names when you've all had a guess!!

James(8) and Adam (6) showing their support for Man.Utd
A bit dissapointing for Mark who follows liverpool but at least they have good interest in both soccer and Rugby

james and adam

Painting Ollie's Foot Yellow

Thought I would try and post a video to see how it goes. This is my grandson Oliver Powell having his foot painted by my husband Andy (or 'Grandy' as he is known to the boys).

This just makes me crease everytime I watch it.
Have you got any funny vids to post? Let's see em!!!

Newest Generation

Martha had a new great great grandson born in February, 2010.

Marge with Steve on left and Derek. Around 1958.

Kendall, Steve's daughter, in 1982.

Kendall's son Finn, at one month old.

Martha and Marge in 1965

Martha visited us in Hackensack, New Jersey, in 1965 when I was 10. I remember Grandma, here with Marge, raving about how she could have "gone for the pilot" if she was 40 years younger!

Martha in Haskayne with ????

Rene and Ted- showing off the Johnson family good looks

Ted visited Rene in her flat - and we got this great picture.

Keep a look out for the TV drama 'The sinking of the Laconia' coming on UK TV sometime soon. It tells the fascinating story of the ship that was torpedoed when Uncle Ted was on board.

Kate (O'D) with her family in the Lakes

Me in stripey top(Kate O'D)with son Steve in red top, Joanne Steve's wife, Andy my hubby and the grandkids Tom (on left) and Oliver (on right).

A lovely day walking in the Lakes.

The youngest O'Donnell grandchild

Sue Doran's Eldest daughter Colette gave birth to Sue's first grandchild (her new golden boy). Ethan Charles.
Congratulations Colette and Lee - he's a very cute little fella.

Not so sure about the side Ethan supports but that’s Dad’s for you!

A day trip from Lydiate on the Bootle Bell

This pic comes via Helen Jones and Gerry Whithead - taken in 1952 on the Bootle Bell. Who can you spot? Do you remember the day?
I can spot our Tom and Auntie Vera but struggling with the rest. Let us know what you think (by clicking on comments)

New family blog

Hi,
I’ve wanted to set up this family blog - or something like it - for a long time.
A simple blog would be a fantastic way of keeping abreast of what’s happening in the Johnson family right across the world.

There must be loads of old family pictures that we could scan and share on line. As well as looking back (and having a laugh) it would be great fun to hear from all the younger generations, and to see what everyone is up to now. I know all the Grandmas will be super keen to show off their grandkids!

Anyway, here it is. This is a public site so anyone can see it and make a comment. However, to be able add pictures and stories and to get involved you need to become a contributor. Just contact me by email (I need your email address) and I will set you up. If you don't have my email address go to www.chaletgroup.com - Contact Us - Chalet Group Office, and that will reach me.

Hopefully this blog will grow and stay fresh with regular updates, comments and pictures. What fun!

Looking forward to seeing what appears. I have added a couple of pic’s to start the ball rolling.

Love Kate
(Kathleen O’Donnell)

Wedding Day - Tom and Wendy O'Donnell

See if you can pick out all the guests. Personally I look a bit gawky!

Martha aged 70

Martha - if it wasn't for her and Edward we wouldn't be here! I will always remember Grandma asking me (aged 11) to sing the latest Tom Jones so that she could work it out on the piano. What are your memories?

Martha with her parents and siblings

This photo was taken from a copy Ted has. Not sure who's who. Can anyone help?

Is Martha the girl in the middle at the back standing up?