I want you to take a good look at the man above. His name is Bunny, and he is the poster boy for what happens to people who don’t write their full names on the backs of their photographs.
According to Grand-aunt Jeanne, Bunny was Annie Bullock’s boyfriend back in the day. There is a second, undated picture of the couple standing together in the yard, although you could not tell by their expressions or postures that they are romantically linked.
Annie
Bullock and Bunny
Apparently, Bunny gave a single copy of the professional photograph at the top of this post to his sweetheart Annie but didn’t sign the back (which is understandable—she knew who he was). But time marched on. Jane retained the photo after her sister Annie moved away or died (Grand-aunt Jeanne doesn’t know Annie’s ultimate fate), and the picture later passed on to my fellow researcher Charlie Dietz’s parents. Thanks to Charlie’s mother, who wrote “Bunny” on the back of his photo, we know at least that much about him. But that is all.
I wonder what Bunny’s real name was. I wonder if he and Annie married, or if they broke up and moved on, or if one of them died, tragically ending the relationship. I will wonder forever. Why? Because I can’t track Bunny down with just his nickname as a clue.
If anyone knows what became of Bunny, I’d appreciate you dropping me a note. I can be reached at findingmarycordial@gmail.com.
Today’s lesson: Don’t be a Bunny! Write your full name on the back of all professional photos, and try to give some sort of info on the backs of the rest. Your descendants will appreciate it!
