“Back then, and Way Before, WHO KNEW”

Sep 22nd “Back then, and Way Before, WHO KNEW”

“Like they say, “Back in the DAY” this is the way we looked, when we were working!”

Standing top left, is our “Aunt to be” Irene Brady, and next to her and in the middle a cousin of which “name” escapes me.

On the right, and standing is “Marie Brady” age thirteen, and in the future, as she does not KNOW it, at the time of this PHOTO, but in a long time from this happy occasion, “Little Marie” will be my MOM, and that will make her sister “IRENE” our “AUNT IRENE” as they have no idea, the different roads, THEY WILL TAKE, someday?

In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s – the plan for the FAMILY was to have enough children that were all well educated to be able to do work, that would help them and their own families. In the “BRADY FAMILY” “Irene Brady” was the only girl, out of twelve children.

No one ever expected that, there would be any more “BRADY” children, and then, when “Baby Marie” came along – most people thought surely this child – belonged to one of the married and elder boys – that had already left home! What a relief this news was to “IRENE BRADY” who is “fifteen” and figured, that she would be an “old maid” as in those days and times – there would be one “girl” that would stay at home – just to care for the “OLD FOLKS” – as there was no Social Security in those days.

That just was the way, have someone in the FAMILY to take care of the money and “Senior Citizens” as they have made plans for their future, this way.

The Priest from the “Holy Name Church” came to the “BRADY” home – several times and begged the Parents of “MARIE” to let her become a NUN, but they turned that offer down. Mr. Brady gave the Church more than enough money, but they were not going to get “MARIE.” Lucky for Marie, that she was allowed to go to “Business School” – learning to type, take dictation and do shorthand and so many other things good for a young girl, in those days.

After all of the training, Marie did get employed, but since she was not at HOME enough, had to quit. Marie’s job was to be at HOME with the parents – sit around, look nice and go places with them. Just no outside the HOME work!

There were even a couple of men that Marie would have liked to marry, but even to get married – that was not allowed, just not in the cards for her!