My paternal grandmother died many years before I was born. But I often heard my mother speak of her, referring to her by her nickname: “Aunt Nettie”, pronounced “Ain’t Nettie”. This photo has been in our family for quite some time.
Imagine my surprise, as an adult, when I discovered that her name was actually Leonetta Octavia Pittman. Our family history has been traced back many generations, and I don’t see that she was named after an ancestor.
While looking through some old photos with my cousin a few weeks ago, we found another photo of Aunt Nettie. I’d never seen this one before. I’m always excited to find a new “old” family picture.
How her parents arrived at that unusual name is puzzling to me.
I don’t think I would have been tempted to name a daughter after her, but my son, Marshall, is probably glad he wasn’t a girl. Just to be on the safe side.
these days of mine 
LOL!! I hadn’t though of how lucky Marshall was but then we already had a cousin named after the two grand-mothers. My children were lucky that their grand-parents had names that were NOT unusual!
” Leon Octavius Blevins” … hmm, I don’t know about all that ….
Too funny, Leon! I mean, Marshall!
This is a great story. My sisters and a few friends call me Nettie. I hated it when I was young but have grown fond of it in my older years. Although I have never been called “Aunt Nettie”. My nieces and nephews have another nickname for me. You can read about that on my blog.
I love the old pictures, I wonder if our digitals will last as long as those.
Ha ha. Great post!
Terrific photos and a funny story to go along with them…perfect!
I also love the old pictures and wonder about what kind of life they had. Are women ever called “Aunt” anymore?
I had a friend here in the building who was also Leonetta (unfortunately, she died last year) but she was called Leona instead of Nettie!
It is so wonderful to find out more family history and to find pictures you have never seem. I love that.
I also love going through old family photographs. My sister did a “heritage” book for both parents families and she has documented so much! I’m so thankful.