This week, I’m beginning a new series where I share moments from my family history through photographs. I’m starting with one that means a great deal to me.

The photograph shows my maternal grandmother, Annie (Bilyk) Koloski, with two of her daughters, Donna and Dot, sometime in the 1940s.

Even softened by age, the emotions are unmistakable. Annie sits steady and protective, her arms gently around her girls. There’s a quiet strength in her expression, the kind that comes from responsibility, resilience, and deep love.

Donna sits on her lap, serious and composed, her small legs hanging over her mother’s knees. Dot stands close by, slightly turned, her face curious and watchful. Their simple dresses, the yard beneath them, and the wooden fence in the background all tell a story of everyday life. This wasn’t a formal studio portrait. It was a real moment, captured as it was.

What I love most about this photograph is how it bridges time.

Even without having known them personally, so much can be felt:

• A mother’s devotion

• The closeness of sisters

• The innocence of childhood

• The strength of the women who came before me

Each time I look at this picture, I’m reminded that genealogy is more than names and dates. It’s connection. It’s honoring the women who carried our stories long before we learned how to tell them.

This Week’s Tip:
Don’t overlook simple backyard snapshots. Candid family photos often reveal:

• Relationships

• Daily routines

• Clothing styles

• Living conditions

• Clues about the home or neighborhood

These small details can help us better understand the world our ancestors lived in.