Those were the days: The Soares clan, with friends & neighbors

Vintage photographs from the 1930s and beyond from the family of Victor Faria Soares, Sr. and Rose Raymond Soares of Somerset, Mass., my grandparents. These were digitized by my uncle, Arthur Faria Soares, who also provided me with many stories about my family and his experiences growing up. The children of Rose and Victor Sr. were: Victor Jr., Beatrice, Raymond (my father), and Arthur.

This photo shows my uncle, Victor Faria Soares, Jr., in his confirmation suit. He's with his pesky younger brothers (who can't keep a straight face). My dad, Ray, is on the left; Art is on the right. Since the traditional age for Catholic confirmation was 12, I would place the date at 1938. There are several pictures of Vic in his suit, and no one else is dressed up, so I'm guessing this was a "trial run." I like the fact that Dad is wearing knickers without socks. That is quite the look. This was taken in front of the house at 204 Sherman Road; my pépère, Victor Sr., referred to the porch as the "piazza," which I not only thought was quaint--I was sure it must have been Brazilian!