The Photos Family: My Case Study

1920s-1930s

Stavroula Fousianis married Thomas Photos on September 5, 1922, in Toledo, Ohio.

Our aunt, Pauline Photos Kambour, wrote this essay in 1959 for a sociology class assignment at the University of Toledo in northwest Ohio. She records how the Photos family adapted to life in the United States after their emigration from Greece.

Both of my parents were born in Greece, as were all my ancestors. Very little is known about my father’s background as he left the village of his birth as a young lad. His father died when he was just a baby. At twelve, he went to Constantinople to live with an uncle. Subsequently, he left there and arrived in the United States in 1912. During the Balkan Wars and World War I, he lost contact with his mother as the mail service was disrupted. Shortly after World War I, he received word that she had died. She was about 60 years old when she died.

My father was the youngest of a family of three. He had two older sisters. Quite the opposite is true of my mother’s family. Her family eventually came to live in the United States, except for her father, who had died when she was two years old. My uncle [Loukas Fousianis], the oldest, was about sixteen at the time. Shortly after, he left for America. Later, he brought his two sisters [Evgenia and Ourania] to the United States, and in 1921, he sent for my mother and grandmother [Stavroula and Pauline].

My mother was the youngest of a family of four. My grandmother continued to live with my mother until she died in 1943. She died at the age of 84. However, she was spry and active up until her death. My father [Thomas Photos] worked in a restaurant that he owned. He was a very generous, hardworking, well-liked individual. As his homeland was relatively poor and since he had few opportunities in his youth, he was determined to give his family all he lacked. This he did until his unexpected death of a heart attack (in his sleep) on April 17, 1938. I was only nine then, so I didn’t have the privilege of knowing him as well as I would have wished.

All of us were born at home and were natural deliveries, with a midwife attending at birth. I was born at 6:30 a.m. on September 27, 1928, and weighed seven pounds. 

I am the fifth of a family of seven, four boys and three girls. The other members of my family are Constance, born in 1923, John in 1924, Louis in 1926, Nicholas in 1927, Katherine in 1930, and George in 1931. They tell me my father was delighted when I was born as he wanted my sister to have the companionship of a sister. 

After the birth of my youngest brother, my mother developed a skin condition (psoriasis), which she still has. Unfortunately, there is no known cure, and it has caused her much discomfort. It is not contagious, but it is most irritating.

My parents were married only fifteen years when my father died. My oldest sister (Constance) was fourteen, and my youngest brother (George) was only six. My father's death was a severe shock to all of us, especially my mother. However, her deep faith in God sustained her during this trying period.

Understanding the grave responsibilities that were thrust upon my mother, we tried to cooperate in every way so as not to cause her any more pain. She kept the restaurant for two years after my father's death but gave it up because it was too much to handle. My mother's primary interest in life was raising her family and trying to be both a mother and father. A more devoted, understanding, generous, and loving person cannot be found.

I lived in the same house until the age of twenty. It consisted of eight rooms plus a bath. The home was well-furnished and comfortable. Luckily, my father owed very little on our house at the time of his death. Not having to move gave us a sense of security. We didn’t have to change schools and remained in a neighborhood we loved. We had a large backyard, and it was well-equipped for play. All of the neighborhood children used to congregate at our house to play. Our neighbors were friendly, and we got along well with them.

The fact that I had only one living parent created some emotional anxieties as a child. My mother did everything possible to make life normal. so I did not feel insecure. My older brothers and sister, as well as my grandmother, helped my mother create a firm, complete family atmosphere. My grandmother was like a second mother to us, and we loved her dearly.

I assumed specific home tasks at various age levels, which increased as I grew older. Home duties included doing dishes, cleaning rooms, ironing, etc. At the age of 12, I began to babysit once a week for a neighbor. This was the first money I ever earned. We did not receive an allowance; however, if we needed anything, we only had to ask for it. We learned the value of money early because of my father’s death, and we only asked for money when it was necessary.

My development from birth through five years was normal and satisfactory. I did not grow exceedingly fast, but I did not grow slow—I grew in natural proportion. My childhood diseases were whooping cough, measles, mumps, and chicken pox. I fully recovered from all childhood illnesses, and they had no ill effects on my growth and development.

My attitude toward food was good and I slept well. My mother did not keep a record of the rate I advanced with body controls; however, they were expected. Developmental tasks for this age period were accomplished typically. I learned control in elimination, sleep habits, food habits, creeping, and walking in a regular conservative pattern.

I also acquired the average amount of fear during this age period. When I was five years old, I was bitten on the leg by a dog, and I believe this incident instilled a fear of dogs. My favorite pet throughout my childhood was a cat.

My development from age 6 to pubescence was quite normal. My school records showed satisfactory marks in development, personal habits, citizenship, school attitudes, etc.

The teachers I had during this period showed interest in the individual students. I had favorable relationships with my teachers and close relationships with my third-grade teacher (whose name incidentally was Mrs. Stephens) who became a family friend.

The elementary school was well organized and had adequate facilities. Teaching was centered around the children, and the program was planned to meet the pupils’ individual differences.

The psychological atmosphere at home was excellent—quite happy, relaxed, and orderly. Our home has been family-centered and shared domination. There was well-balanced punishment only if an act caused discomfort to another member of the family or a principle to be learned.

The influence of the opinions of older members of the family undoubtedly affected many of my decisions. However, I personally attempted to sift the merit of their opinions against what I considered to be the facts of the first circumstance in order to come to my conclusion. The element of previous experiences also assisted me in making decisions. A basic sense of right and wrong acquired through values of life taught in our family living aided me in making decisions, too.

Our family training instilled in me a sense of honesty and integrity. Regular attendance at church helped create sound convictions. We are Greek Orthodox by religion, and we attended Sunday school and church regularly, even though our church was five miles from where we lived. The service is conducted in the Greek language.

Speaking Greek at home posed no problem to me as I picked up English readily from my other sister and brothers. We attended Greek school every Tuesday and Thursday from four to six, where we were taught to read and write in Greek. I consider myself fortunate to have been able to learn a foreign language at an early age, as it is done so quickly. The use of a second language has broadened my interest in my adult life and has proved helpful in my school work.

Our family attended the same elementary school (Whittier) and high school (DeVilbiss). There seemed to be a Photos in every grade. While. I was a good student I never felt I was good enough. I attribute this to the fact that my sister, Connie, was an outstanding student (Valedictorian of her high school class) and a born leader. I was rather shy, sensitive, and quiet — more of a follower. Connie was five years older than I, which seemed quite a lot at the time.

My sister, Katherine, one and one-half years younger than me, and I were much closer and did everything together. We maintained this close relationship until she married four years ago.

Although neither of my parents could play musical instruments, they loved music, and we all took music lessons except my younger brother (George). I took piano for about a year and a half, and I am sorry now that I didn’t practice as faithfully as I should have. My sisters and I also took tap dancing lessons. We had a little orchestra, and we appeared on the air (children’s program) and entertained at various church and club functions. My parents were very proud of their family, and this brought them much pleasure.

Tom Photos, Thomas M. Photos, and Dick Straw provided the editing and photographs for “The Photos Family: A Case Study.” Part 2 will consist solely of pictures and captions.