Family Tree Frog

  Barbara McLoughlin with parcel circa 1955 Thomas MacEntee at Advent Calendar of Christmas Memorie s says: For many of us, the focus of the Christmas season isn’t on “things” but on family and friends. Still, we like to give presents – large and small – to those we love. Do you shop during Christmastime or do you shop much earlier in the year to get it out of the way? Have you seen a change in your shopping habits as you’ve gotten older? Do you shop online? Do you participate in Black Friday or Cyber Monday activities? What was Christmas shopping like for your family and ancestors? Tell us about how you do Christmas shopping and your memories of Christmases past. As a child growing up my memories of Christmas shopping were about food (how surprising - not!). Barbara Conner at butcher's in Edinburgh My mother would always be looking for the biggest turkey she could find...often so big that it wouldn't actually fit in the oven.  There was always a last ...

1955 March Barbara McLoughlin Now, I do hope that you're not quite sick of my mother yet! She is just 19 in this photo.  Younger than my daughter is now.  Younger than my son.  There is no other identifying information on the back of the photo apart from March 1955 written in pencil. She looks very business-like.  I found an application for employment with the NSW Public Service Board in her papers from 1971. It serves as a resume would today.    In her application she records that she completed her Intermediate at Petersham Junior Girls High in 1951 and then completed 4th Year at Fort Street High in1952.  Barbara then spent 10 months at Miss Hale's Business College in Margaret Street, Sydney - 1953.  She also worked for Prudential Assurance Company in Martin Place from May to November 1953 but resigned from 'almost total boredom' (her words).  She then studied Dress Design at East Sydney Tech for 18 mo...