Jim Nolan's Blog

Photo of Playwright Adolf Paul

Adolf and Natalie Paul's grandkids from their son Bengt (a.k.a. my grandather Benekiki) and daughter-in-law Hildegard Koenig. From left, Birgit Stolt, Heye Paul, Adolf, and Christa Nolan (a.k.a. my mom). Later in life Adolf's eyes became sensitive to the sun; that's why they're closed. I'm guessing this shot is from around 1939. He died in 1943.

German Biedermeier Dress, 1919

My German grandmother, Hildegard Koenig Paul, future journalist. I have her portable Erika typewriter. My cousin Veronica Stolt has translated the back caption for me.

Veronica writes: "I asked my mother [Birgit Stolt] about the scribblings on the back of the picture of Hildegard in front of the wallpaper. It says, "Ich in meinem goldgelben Biedermeier zu unserm Maskenball 1919," which means "Me in my golden yellow Biedermeier for our Masquerade Ball, 1919." (Biedermeier was a style that developed right before the industrial revolution.) My mother is puzzled by the comment 'Robert' and 'Morgan Koenig.'"

Now that I know the dress is in yellow, I wish even more that the photo were in color. You can read more about Hildegard here. 

Happy Birthday, Mom

Mom has a big birthday today. I thought I'd post this picture of her from November, 1943. It's a Father's Day card she made while living with relatives in Sweden and Bengt was working as a journalist in Berlin. Love you, Mom.

Random Bengt Paul Photo

I recently sent off a few randomly chosen medium format black and white negatives shot by my grandfather Bengt Paul to ScanCafe in California ($2.49 per scan). They did a really nice job. I like the fact that these images have not seen the light of day in at least 80 years. I'm pretty sure the subject here is my grandmother Hildegard Paul. Love the light through the curtained window. I have thousands of Bengt's negatives. 

Cabinet Cards: Heinrich & Wilhelmine Behn Brehmer

The grandparents of Natalie Brehmer Paul. Heinrich (1800-1872) was a Senator and Bürgermeister in Lübeck, Germany. My great-great-great grandparents. That's pretty great.

Cabinet Cards: Dr. Harry Koenig & Augusta Siegesmund

 

Engagement pictures of Hildegard Paul's parents. My great-grandparents on my mother's mother's side. Click to enlarge.

Natalie Paul, "Tali"

My maternal great-grandmother, Natalie Paul, or "Tali" for short. The back of the photograph says "Okt. 19," which either means October 1919 or October 19th, her birthday in 1878. The marble bust was made by sculptor John Münsterhjelm in 1906 in Berlin, where Natalie and her playwright husband Adolf Paul lived. He was Swedish; she was German, born to a wealthy Lubeck family, the Brehmers. Adolf hung out with Jean Sibelius, August Strindberg and Edvard Munch, and spent all her money. Maybe that's why the bust looks wistful.

Germany Photo, 1913

It was a golden age for hats. Robert Koenig, my great uncle, is at the left.

Tagel, Germany Photo, 1909

Harry and Auguste Koenig and family. That's my grandmother Hildegard to the right of Auguste. Taken in Tegel, Germany.

German Photo, 1905

The Koenigs go for a winter walk, with proper hats. My grandmother Hildegard is in the white sweater. Click to enlarge.