Back to my trip down to National Museum, the “Framing the Family” gallery showcases in pictures, the history of the Singapore family.

Thinking back to my own childhood, I was always enchanted by the camera because it was an opportunity for me to play the model – every ready with a smile in place should a camera swing in my direction.

I guess even back then I knew photographs were something magical – freezing in time one moment for all eternity. Anyone could see the photograph but only a few “insiders” would be privy to the private story behind each picture.

So a visit to “Framing the Family” gallery wasn’t simply gawking at old pictures. Yes the clothes were different, styles had changed (pigtails may never make a comeback) but there was also something much more to be had beyond the smiles from a bygone era.

I let my imagine run and wondered what their life was really like back then. I guess things were pretty tough 100-odd years ago. There was no TV (a big deal to me) … there probably wasn’t much in the way of electricity or running water and still they smile at us even today … maybe that simpler life wasn’t that bad after all.

All in the Family

Yup every photograph tells a story. Take for instance this family portrait of Tan Jiak Kim which was taken around 1912. I initially though that it was just a normal family photo. However, there is a lot more to this story. Tan Jiak Kim married his first wife, in 1878 but she died shortly after giving birth to son. Subsequently, he married his late wife’s sister, who probably gave birth to the two boys in this picture. However, she too passed away in 1911 and he eventually married a third sister from the same family, i.e. the woman in this photo.

Hence, the woman in the photo is both the boys’ step-mother and their aunt. A plausible reason why Tan Jiak Kim married the three sisters was perhaps to help safeguard the children’s welfare as the new step-mom was already a blood relative so she was more likely to treat the kids as her own. … Interesting ya!

If you get tired looking at still photographs, take a peek at the short video clips in the gallery. One interesting piece covered the touchy subject of polygamy in Singapore in the early days.

Apparently, having multiple wives was allowed in Singapore’s earlier days as long as the man can afford it. Take for instance this family portrait which is taken in the 1910s when a man could have two families.

This is a Chinese family studio portrait that is taken in the 1920-30s. The man in the photo has 2 wives and 8 children. You may consider it to be a big family by today’s standards but back then, it was the norm.

Here’s one small discovery I made that brought back memories. It’s a silver baby’s anklet on display! I used to wear one just like it complete with the attached bell. My mom used to say that she put it on me so that she’ll know where I was in the house. I must be very playful then.

So, having had a glimpse of the history and social culture of Singapore families back in the good old days, are you eager like me to feel like digging out those faded family photos or childhood ornaments to re-explore those memories? Who knows, maybe you’ll unearth some valuable details and clues about your family tree which you may have overlooked in the past.

The National Museum of Singapore- Singapore Living Galleries
93 Stamford Road Singapore 178897
10am to 8pm, daily
Free admission from 6pm to 8pm, daily (last admission at 7.30pm)
For more information, visit www.nationalmuseum.sg.