I often think about this issue.
I look like my mother and her mother. I also have a slight resemblance to my father's grandmother.
Both of my brothers look like our father's side of the family.
Last year, someone showed me a photo of my paternal great-grandfather's brother and I was struck by the strong resemblance to my youngest brother.
As a young adult, my other brother visited the city where our father was living. Even when he was on his own, at places such as the gas station, complete strangers would say to him, "You're so-and-so's son". He even walks like our father.
My daughter has my colouring and some resemblance to me but some of her features are like a female version of my husband's. My daughter has my toes, which are the same as my father's toes.
I get a kick out of seeing these things because they're a visual reminder that we are related.
There are other ways that we can resemble our families, such as character traits and innate abilities.
My mother was always told that she was just like her father's side of the family and that she took after her father's sister.
These things can form part of our identity, in good or bad ways.
I agree with gah: it would be so nice and interesting to have more photos of my ancestors and their families as well as stories about their lives and personalities.
I don't feel too sad about it, though, because my brothers and I grew up knowing who we looked like.
One thing that amuses me is how much shorter most of the men used to be. They grow 'em taller nowadays.
Regards,
Josephine
