A look into my grandmother's archives. By Lindsay Ballant
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Baby photograph of my father, probably around 1949 when he was between one and two years old.
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1976: One ounce silver bars commemorating the bicentennial.
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photo of my grandmother as a bride in her first wedding. Date unknown, must have been the early 1940s.
More about her first husband here.
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1952: My grandfather’s 1952 honorary membership card to the New Jersey State Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, a labor union representing police officers.
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Locket with small rosary beads inside.
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Photo of my grandfather (right) as a soldier with friend during World War II.
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New Jersey license plates from the 1980’s (1988 to be exact). If I remember anything from my childhood, this probably was for a station wagon—my father had maybe 4 of them in a row.
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Another strip of school portraits of my father. He looks to be around four or five here, which would be around 1952 or 1953.
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School photos of my father, probably around age 8 or 9, in the late 1950’s.
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August 17th, 1946: Congratulatory letter to my grandparents on their wedding from the commissioner of the Department of Health in West New York, New Jersey. It reads as follows:
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Ballant,
The news of your wedding, in the daily newspaper, was pleasant to read about; and, Mrs. Otis joins me in extending to you our sincere good wishes for a happy matrimonial journey through life, together.
Mrs. Otis and I took the step, more then 12 years ago; and, with four children growing up, we realize that married life has It’s responsibilities and it’s rewards—-and, that it can be complete and happy.
I wish you contentment, success, and, the many comforts that home life offers to us all.
Most sincerely,
John E. Otis,
Commissioner.
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