In scanning this newest batch of antique and vintage photos, I ran across these two photos of Grandpa (Adrian Zuidweg, Jr.) as a baby! They are set in this handmade paper frame, and his name is written on the back, so there is no doubt as to who it is. Plus those blond curls are a big giveaway.
Grandpa was born in 1908 in Kalamazoo. How old do you think he looks here? These photos are clearly before the accident with the needle that blinded his one eye. That happened when he was three. But I don’t think he’s very far into “being two” either.
It might help to know what in the world he is “in” or standing with in the photo on the right. It appears to have rockers at the bottom. Any ideas?
Click once and then once again should make the image large.
I’ll repost the other photos I have where he is young so you can see the comparison. I think that by comparison with these others, that he is strictly a baby in the photos above. So less than two. But let me know if you disagree!
Cora and little Adrian circa 1910
Adrian Zuidweg 1908-2000
Adrian Zuidweg
I know I’m pretty lucky to have all these wonderful photos of Grandpa and many other relatives. The curse, though, is that I am responsible for scanning and organizing digital images, organizing actual photos, and then deciding and implementing how these photos will be passed on to future generations! I may have mentioned before ;): I need an assistant!
The Family Kalamazoo 
I truly enjoy your photos! How did you end up with such treasures?
Thank you so much! I think that my grandparents and a 2nd cousin saved every old photo they ever got their hands on and then they have funneled to me. Now I have the responsibility to digitize them all so that they can be shared with all the great-grandchildren, etc.
I think your doing an awesome job but an assistant would be nice. I think your guess is right on the age, just about 2 give or take a month to two. He is still using a walker to either keep his balance and be contained from running around or both 🙂
I wondered what that thing he is on or in is! An assistant would be amazing. SIGH. Thanks, Sharon. Happy New Year to you and yours!!! XO
I think that’s an early baby-walker. And I think he’s younger than two in the two circular photos, probably between 12 and 18 months – probably closer to 18 months. By two he’d have been walking by himself for some time.
Now, now, tsk, tsk—am I supposed to feel sorry for you because you have too many photos? I should only have such a problem! 🙂
Your grandfather was adorable! And I’d say he was somewhere between 9 months and 15 months in those photos—before he was walking, but old enough to sit up steadily without assistance.
Hahaha. I know, I know! It’s a very lucky burden! He was so cute. And thank you, “Grandma,” as I know you are experienced!!!
That’s what I was basing my estimate on. Certainly I would not remember from my own kids!
Haha, I know! Plus, you were probably really busy when they were little, as I was with mine!
Not only do you need an assistant, but you also need more time. Wonderful treasures, Luanne.
Thank you, Cathy! We BOTH need more time and assistants!!!
I’ve been sharing the ones I have–and used to feel guilty being the one with them all–by staring cousin Facebook pages. They can save and print any they want. I’m also using my website (joynealkidney.com) to tell the stories that go along with the picture, so that those stay together. Now even cousins’ children and grandchildren are asking questions and learning our family stories.
What a great idea to put them all on Facebook! You are so lucky, though, that there are so many interested in asking questions. I haven’t found any young people interested to stay tuned . . . .
It’s great to have these old pictures. A 1st cousin of mine recently gave me some photos of my Great-Great-Grandpa Frederick. I need to get them scanned and uploaded to the family history book I am working on.
Yes, definitely scan them soon! It’s a pain, but so worth it because once scanned and well-stored you don’t have to worry that something is going to happy to the photos in the meantime. At least, that’s how paranoid I am haha!
Gah! I am not going to think too much about the needle in the eye story. That poor boy!
I know. It’s really hideous to think about it. That’s why one of his eyes was green instead of blue, which was the natural color.
These are lovely photos Luanne. I’d put his age at around 15-18 months (based to looking at some shots of my son at around that age), and I wonder if the little rocker isn’t exactly that, for entertainment (and containment) rather than a walking aid.
I think you are on the money, Su! That seems right to me!
I hear you, Luanne. I spent the last two days cropping and labeling some of the old photos I was given. Many of the family are from the Grand Rapids area, and one record lead me to Kalamazoo–which immediately made me think of you! I’ve probably said it before, but your grandpa sure was a cutie.
Oh, thank you so much! I think he was so cute, too! So neat that your family is from the GR area. Many of mine are, too! Especially my grandmother’s family–Kent County, Caledonia, and Grand Rapids, etc.
Not quite two, I’d say
Thanks, Derrick! Grandpa Derrick would know!
🙂
Yep, you’re a lucky gal to have such treasures! They are all terrific.
Thank you so much! They really are! Happy New Year!
Wonderful photos. I am glad you are putting them on line with information.
Thanks, Jose!
I posted your blog post on my FaceBook genealogy closed group pages and one of my friends from UK commented — Jill Gregory, “Amazing pics and I reckon that is a variation of a rocking horse.” — The genealogy groups have people from all over the world and it is fun to get the perspective from UK, Australia, India, Canada, Spain, Germany, Italy and even South American countries.
Thank you so much! It’s so true. I’ve missed participating in the groups as I’ve been so busy the last half year or so.
How fortunate you are to have these photos of your grandfather.
Thank you, Eleanor. Yes, so lucky!! Thank you for stopping by!
Luanne, I think that the shoes in the new photos and in the first photo of previous blogs (with his ?mum) are very similar. I would think, because it seems he’s using a walker in one the age in both these photos would be between 18 – 24 months.
Great photos, thanks for sharing. Julie