“Let’s go mother”
Thomas A. Short
Welcome to Travels With Tom and Gerry. This is a photographic series of adventures. These adventures are seen through vintage photographs. The photographs were taken by my grandparents Tom & Gerry (Thomas Arthur and Geraldine Susan Short).
Series #1 – introduction
My grandparents were great travelers and I have written earlier that Grandfather Short was a ship and boatman. His business was all marine engineering related and he was very keen on mixing work with play. He often enjoyed life on Pacific races and worldwide water expeditions. This meant my grandmother often had a lot of time on her hands during these journeys. She chose to go many times.
She was a curious traveler who sought local information and culture. She planned and collected many tourist pamphlets. This way, she can run away for the day. She also archived few and kept many photographs of their adventures.
Here, I will start a new series. It showcases her careful preservation of memories through photographs. These were taken by both on their travels from the 50s through to the 70s. The dates are a little more or less. I thought it would be interesting to share some of the places they ventured in a time gone by. Boring to many, but I find the photographs to reveal history in a geographic of change. I am sure my grandmother was hoping someone would appreciate them. I remember her always sending postcards from the adventures and wishing I was there.
There was certainly a development of friendships from all over the world. They were very social and in some of the upcoming photographs you will see that. They knew people from all ranks of life. They enjoyed them all immensely. They kept in touch with many through writing. In return, they hosted them at their home in San Francisco.
This is my first round of the ‘Series’. It includes just photos of Thomas and Geraldine (Tom & Gerry). These were their selfies of the day. I picked a few for you to get to know the faces.
The next Series will start posting photographs of places visited. In the meantime, these few selfie photos introducing both of them made me smile. They made me laugh. I never knew the adult travel side of them. Finding them in these photos was perfect for getting to know them in a way I never knew personally. In future writings on this ‘Series’ I will post tidbits written on the photograph when that is available.
I am hopeful family will enjoy this visual jaunt through the world from their photographs. Others who are interested in places that have changed through the years will enjoy it too.
Welcome and enjoy.
See you on the next Series,
6 responses to “Travels With Tom & Gerry”
What a great collection to have! This sounds like a fabulous series. I love reading these old family tales (just call me nosy).
I’m just as nosey 🙂 and love listening to family ancestry. Have fun!
Thank you Kathy! You are such an amazing storyteller and artist. It is so touching to see our grandparents come to life…they would be so pleased. You honor their memory. love you, Cousin Susie
Thank you for being a huge part of this! I could not have done it without you luvs
What a wonderful idea for a blog series! Your grandparents sound awesome, to have travelled so much when it was less easy to do so than nowadays. And how lovely that you have this archive on which to draw for your posts. I will look forward to reading them all immensely 😀
Thank you so much! I know you do quite a bit of this too and I find it all so interesting. Thank you for joining me on their journeys!