Meine Familie

May 212010

Before I begin posting more photographs of family, I thought it would be nice to give a little background history of who you will be looking at. First my father’s side…

My paternal grandfather immigrated to the United States from Germany in 1926. He was sponsored by Zweigle Brothers and worked for them for several years. In 1940 he bought a home on Garfield Street in the city of Rochester. Our family lived 3 generations in that house.

My paternal grandmother is descended from Palatine Germans who immigrated to America in the early 18th Century. They settled on the Robert Livingston Manor near present day Albany, New York and later moved to Rensselaerwyck, New York. Eventually they settled in the Penn Yan area and then Rochester in the early 20th century.

Any more detail than that and I suspect your eyes will glaze over, so I will just tell the rest of the story a little at a time with photographs.

butchers, zweigel bros., c.1930

Butchers, Zweigel Bros., c.1930
Zwigel Brothers was located at 214 Joseph Avenue. This photo was most likely taken at 212 Joseph Avenue. My grandfather is standing second from left.

City of Rochester, Joseph Avenue, Meine Familie

Henry Lomb Memorial, c.1949

May 122010

Taken from Bausch Park looking towards the intersection of Martin Street and Sheridan Street (now Upper Falls Boulevard). Coca-Cola Bottling of Rochester is now on that site. This photograph shows my father, his sister and older brother and was most likely taken on a visit to his grandparents who lived on St. Paul Street near Clifford Avenue. He says he remembers when this photo was taken and wishes it was in color because the tulips are in full bloom. He recalls the camera was a twin lens reflex that shot 127 film, but is not sure who shot the photograph. We do not think it was his mother because it’s in focus and the subject is composed properly! Perhaps it was his grandfather…
My father has a life long love of photography, so even though he is young in this photo I do not doubt the memory. I guess this acorn didn’t fall far from that tree!

henry lomb memorial, c.1949

Captain Henry Lomb (1828-1908) was an investor in John Jacob Bausch’s optical shop and eventually a founder of Bausch & Lomb. In 1885 he founded the Mechanics Institute, which eventually became RIT. The art deco monument was designed by Lewis J. Brew and Walter Cassebeer. Erected in 1930, it is made of black granite and stands 48 feet tall.

City of Rochester, Meine Familie, Upper Falls

Welcome to Rochester Photographic

May 062010

Welcome to Rochester Photographic, an online community resource to view and contribute to our pictorial history.

We have been a fortunate community in the respect of our pictorial history, being that just about everyone had a camera and access to quality photofinishing. My years spent as a photo-finisher allowed me to access many private collections. In those collections were some of the most amazing photographs I had ever seen with fascinating stories to go along with them. Sometimes they were museum quality, but most often they were just snapshots of everyday life.

I have designed this site with the desire to share with you my collections, but also the hope to share yours. If you are interested in sharing you photos, go to the submissions page for more information.

the breezer, c.1915

L.A. Thompson’s Scenic Railway – Located at Ontario Beach Park, it was first called the ‘Russian Railway’ and later became ‘The Breezer’. The park and ride closed on Labor Day 1919. This photograph shows my grandmother and great-grandmother posing in front.

Charlotte, City of Rochester, Meine Familie
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