Christening Gown Passed Down Through Generations
Christening Gown Passed Down Through Generations
My mother’s parents, my grandparents, had seven children. Back in 1907, my grandmother hand made a Christening outfit for their first born child and each of their other six children wore the outfit on their Christening day. Before each child wore the outfit, grandma would hand wash and iron the outfit, adding new ribbons to the slip. As it happened, my mother received the Christening outfit and myself and my two sister were Christened in the beautiful gown, the only grandchildren of Alice and William Spink to wear the outfit. Fast forward to 1968 when my husband and I had our first daughter, my mom brought out the outfit for Christine to wear at her Christening. Our second daughter was born in 1974 and again it was brought out for Cynthia to wear, the only great-grandchildren to wear the beautiful Christening outfit. When our daughter Christine got married my mom presented the Christening outfit to my care to continue on the tradition of our future grandchildren to wear the beautiful Christening outfit.
Little Chuckie (who is now know as CJ but will always be our little Chuckie) was born on October 29, 1987 and on November 15, 1987 he was our first grandchild, my grandmother’s great-great-grandchild, to wear the Christening outfit.
Both of his sisters also wore it on their Christening day, Desiree in 1989 and Allison in 1992.
This beautiful outfit was made by my grandmother for her children, but I wonder if she ever thought it would be worn by her grandchildren, great-grand children and even her great-great grandchildren.
My grandmother put so much love in this Christening outfit, rows of lace on the front of the silk gown with delicate lace around the sleeves and neck.
The slip is made from fine linen with a wide gathered lace banding along the bottom and two rows of ribbons woven around the lace. Ribbon is also woven around the lace on the neck and straps. After all these years, the outfit is still ready to be worn by maybe a great-great-great-grandchild.
When my mother presented me with the Christening outfit, she also put a hand written note with it, telling the history of it so when I pass it down, the letter will go with it so the next generation will know the meaning of this loving piece of our family history.
My cousins used their christening dress for their children’s. Its a really nice touch that adds a touch of longevity to the day.
Yes it really does add longevity and to me it brings back so many memories of my grandmother. I hope it can be worn for a few more generations. Thanks for visiting Nick!
It’s beautiful to hear a story of this – especially an heirloom almost 100 years old and well loved by the family.
I think my grandmother would be proud to know that the beautiful outfit is still in great shape and being passed on. Thanks for visiting Alana!
Our family doesn’t have any handing down traditions like this but it is a good thing for a family to have.
I’d love to have it handed down through the generations for another 100 years! Thanks for visiting Bill.
That is so neat having an item that long and passing it down generation from generation.
Yes it is Sandy, I hope it will be passed on many more generations. Thanks for visiting.
Love this!! Only wish it could have been shared around to some of the rest of the original 7 children’s children, grand children, etc.
So glad you have kept it and are passing it on with a bit of family history. Perhaps additional details of Nanny and Pa’s names (including maiden name) and birth, marriage dates and your parents same would be a meaningful family history / genealogy addition.
That’s a good idea Joy, I’ll have to write another letter to go with the original one my mom wrote. I’m not sure how mom ended up with it, I didn’t know about it until Christine was born. Thanks for visiting.
I loved this idea — how I wish I had mine to pass down. So beautiful
It definitely is a beautiful way to keep the family history going. Thanks for visiting Carol.
This just goes to show how important family history is. I wish I had thought it as important and kept more of our family’s heirlooms. I can’t even make proper picture albums because I didn’t date them. How awesome is it that you have this precious gift, one that has stood the test of time!
That’s my problem with lots of my old photos, I didn’t date them! I think we all feel we will remember but as the years go by, the mind goes with it! Thanks for visiting!!
So very special for so many very special young ones
I’m so glad my mom passed this treasure down to me Rich. Five generations wore this beautiful gown.