Was it really a simpler time? Your ’60s family photos, revealed | CNN

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1120078">Lauri Williams</a>, bottom row, second from right, shared this photo of her family when she was 3 years old in Channelview, Texas. The photo, taken on Easter in 1968, is somewhat bittersweet; it was the next-to-last family photo taken before her parents divorced.

Your 1960s family album —

Lauri Williams, bottom row, second from right, shared this photo of her family when she was 3 years old in Channelview, Texas. The photo, taken on Easter in 1968, is somewhat bittersweet; it was the next-to-last family photo taken before her parents divorced.

courtesy lauri williams

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1137306">Lauren Wilson</a>, front center, remembers being dressed up (just like her sister) for Easter in 1967 in Florence, Alabama. "I felt like a princess because of the shiny shoes and flow of the chiffon material."

Your 1960s family album —

Lauren Wilson, front center, remembers being dressed up (just like her sister) for Easter in 1967 in Florence, Alabama. "I felt like a princess because of the shiny shoes and flow of the chiffon material."

courtesy lauren wilson

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1119985">Debra Harris, shown </a>at 14 in Pocatello, Idaho, in 1967, says her parents were "the original grumpy cats."

Your 1960s family album —

Debra Harris, shown at 14 in Pocatello, Idaho, in 1967, says her parents were "the original grumpy cats."

courtesy debra harris

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1119574">Onie Ward'</a>s older sister married her high school sweetheart in November 1969. Ward, second from right, and her mother made all the dresses pictured.

Your 1960s family album —

Onie Ward's older sister married her high school sweetheart in November 1969. Ward, second from right, and her mother made all the dresses pictured.

courtesy onie ward

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1120249">David Gregory</a>, top row, right, was the eldest of 14 children. His family had it all in 1969: hippies (the three eldest boys), Beatle wannabees (the six youngest boys), and five "always-fashionable 'mod' girls."

Your 1960s family album —

David Gregory, top row, right, was the eldest of 14 children. His family had it all in 1969: hippies (the three eldest boys), Beatle wannabees (the six youngest boys), and five "always-fashionable 'mod' girls."

Courtesy David Gregory

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1118004">Craig Riegelhaupt</a>, the little boy in the red bow tie, recalls taking this "nerdy family" photo when his parents moved them from New York to Florida in 1967. "The bows in my mother's and sister's hair, and my red bow tie and horn-rimmed glasses epitomize the look of the 1960s."

Your 1960s family album —

Craig Riegelhaupt, the little boy in the red bow tie, recalls taking this "nerdy family" photo when his parents moved them from New York to Florida in 1967. "The bows in my mother's and sister's hair, and my red bow tie and horn-rimmed glasses epitomize the look of the 1960s."

courtesy craig riegelhaupt

Not everyone was nerdy. Peace Corps volunteers <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1139435">James Denbow</a> and his wife, Josie, pictured, had "our first chance to encounter the wonderful world outside the United States" in the '60s. This photo was taken in 1969 in Nairobi, Kenya, when they were 23 years old.

Your 1960s family album —

Not everyone was nerdy. Peace Corps volunteers James Denbow and his wife, Josie, pictured, had "our first chance to encounter the wonderful world outside the United States" in the '60s. This photo was taken in 1969 in Nairobi, Kenya, when they were 23 years old.

Courtesy James Denbow

Your 1960s family album —

Here's Lou Alexander, left, with his sister and father just before leaving for Indiana University in 1967. "The personal highlight of those years for me was leaving home, starting college and then my first job after college," he said. "I marched some, against the war and for civil rights, but I was mostly a Norman Normal, going to school, working and moving into adulthood."

courtesy lou alexander

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1119904">Michael T. Butler</a>, the little guy in the front row, and his well-dressed family members are seen here in front of their home in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, in June 1969. "Life was slower, many of us hated the pace, but when we grew up, we returned to what we had lost," he said. "I moved back to the hometown of my youth because I was looking for what I had lost. Peace and quiet."

Your 1960s family album —

Michael T. Butler, the little guy in the front row, and his well-dressed family members are seen here in front of their home in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, in June 1969. "Life was slower, many of us hated the pace, but when we grew up, we returned to what we had lost," he said. "I moved back to the hometown of my youth because I was looking for what I had lost. Peace and quiet."

courtesy michael t. butler

Seven years old in 1969, <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1140655">Teri Coley Adams</a>, in the green coat, thought her matching hat and purse were "the pinnacle of fashion." This photo was taken two months before her dad returned from Vietnam.

Your 1960s family album —

Seven years old in 1969, Teri Coley Adams, in the green coat, thought her matching hat and purse were "the pinnacle of fashion." This photo was taken two months before her dad returned from Vietnam.

courtesy teri coley adams

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1141005">Lisa Trump</a>, whose father was a German immigrant, was just one year old when this 1961 photo was taken at the Cincinnati airport. "We hosted many visiting family members as they came to the USA," she said. "Going to the airport to greet or send off family was always a big deal. It really was customary at the time to be at the airport or to even travel dressed in your Sunday best. As the daughter of an immigrant, those visits to the airport have been a lasting lifetime memory of a way to connect to my far-away family members."

Your 1960s family album —

Lisa Trump, whose father was a German immigrant, was just one year old when this 1961 photo was taken at the Cincinnati airport. "We hosted many visiting family members as they came to the USA," she said. "Going to the airport to greet or send off family was always a big deal. It really was customary at the time to be at the airport or to even travel dressed in your Sunday best. As the daughter of an immigrant, those visits to the airport have been a lasting lifetime memory of a way to connect to my far-away family members."

courtesy lisa trump

This family photo from a 1965 trip to Long Island, New York, has special meaning for <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-728247">Beth Alice Barret</a> all these years later. She's not pictured, but her dad is seen here playing with her then-2-year-old brother. "These special moments mean so much to my family because a few years later, our father died suddenly," she said. This photo kept that moment alive for her.

Your 1960s family album —

This family photo from a 1965 trip to Long Island, New York, has special meaning for Beth Alice Barret all these years later. She's not pictured, but her dad is seen here playing with her then-2-year-old brother. "These special moments mean so much to my family because a few years later, our father died suddenly," she said. This photo kept that moment alive for her.

courtesy Beth Alice Barret

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-947935">Barb Mayer</a> (not pictured) shared this 1969 photo of her sister, far left, her mom, her future sister-in-law and her brother. She says she loved 1960s fashion because "everything was new and exciting, from different hairstyles (longer hair for men, straight hair for women) to Bohemian/ethnic style clothing ... there was a sense of freedom that you could wear just about anything and get away with it."

Your 1960s family album —

Barb Mayer (not pictured) shared this 1969 photo of her sister, far left, her mom, her future sister-in-law and her brother. She says she loved 1960s fashion because "everything was new and exciting, from different hairstyles (longer hair for men, straight hair for women) to Bohemian/ethnic style clothing ... there was a sense of freedom that you could wear just about anything and get away with it."

courtesy barb mayer

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-948132">Cynthia Carr Falardeau</a>, far right, said some of her sweetest memories come from the 1960s, including this family photo shot in Dayton, Ohio, in 1969. She described it as a "time of innocence."

Your 1960s family album —

Cynthia Carr Falardeau, far right, said some of her sweetest memories come from the 1960s, including this family photo shot in Dayton, Ohio, in 1969. She described it as a "time of innocence."

courtesy cynthia falaradeau

Of course there were signs of the times in some photos, like this one showing <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1137463">Steven F. Pekarna </a>leaving his Minnesota home for Vietnam in 1969: "I was afraid to go to Vietnam -- the press gave it a one-way trip. I felt my mother trembling when I hugged her good-bye."

Your 1960s family album —

Of course there were signs of the times in some photos, like this one showing Steven F. Pekarna leaving his Minnesota home for Vietnam in 1969: "I was afraid to go to Vietnam -- the press gave it a one-way trip. I felt my mother trembling when I hugged her good-bye."

courtesy steven f. pekarna

Check out those matching outfits! <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1119779">Michelle Jones</a>, bottom left, shared a photo of herself with her sister and their parents in front of their grandmothers' house in Newton, Massachusetts, in 1968. "I loved the outfits my mom wore -- always the latest fashion, big eyelashes and big makeup."

Your 1960s family album —

Check out those matching outfits! Michelle Jones, bottom left, shared a photo of herself with her sister and their parents in front of their grandmothers' house in Newton, Massachusetts, in 1968. "I loved the outfits my mom wore -- always the latest fashion, big eyelashes and big makeup."

courtesy michelle jones

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1137456">Joann Taweel, </a>bottom left, of Philadelphia has fond memories when she looks at this photo from Easter 1967. "All of our cousins were our best friends," she said. "We played together and spent almost every weekend together in the summers. And especially holidays. Big Italian holidays! It instilled in me a responsibility and a need to stay close to my relatives."

Your 1960s family album —

Joann Taweel, bottom left, of Philadelphia has fond memories when she looks at this photo from Easter 1967. "All of our cousins were our best friends," she said. "We played together and spent almost every weekend together in the summers. And especially holidays. Big Italian holidays! It instilled in me a responsibility and a need to stay close to my relatives."

courtesy joann taweel

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1137102">Mora Pieti-Alcorn</a> took this photo as the younger kids followed his and his friends' lead in putting on a "Beatles show" in their Oceanside, California military neighborhood in the summer of 1964. "How carefree our summer days were," she remembered. "Living on base is very uniting and even though military families move around a lot you always seem to end up together again and again through out the years."

Your 1960s family album —

Mora Pieti-Alcorn took this photo as the younger kids followed his and his friends' lead in putting on a "Beatles show" in their Oceanside, California military neighborhood in the summer of 1964. "How carefree our summer days were," she remembered. "Living on base is very uniting and even though military families move around a lot you always seem to end up together again and again through out the years."

courtesy mora pieti-alcorn

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1125571">Chris Brown</a>, not pictured, shared this photo because it captures three generations of his family in 1969 in Radisson, Wisconsin. He often thinks about "how simple life really must have been back then."

Your 1960s family album —

Chris Brown, not pictured, shared this photo because it captures three generations of his family in 1969 in Radisson, Wisconsin. He often thinks about "how simple life really must have been back then."

courtesy chris brown

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-952187">Lisa Papworth-Buckland</a>, bottom left, says her mother "always knew what to dress us up in."

Your 1960s family album —

Lisa Papworth-Buckland, bottom left, says her mother "always knew what to dress us up in."

courtesy Lisa Papworth-Buckland

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1118811">Kathi Cordsen, </a>not pictured, shared this photo of her mom, left, aunt and grandmother on vacation in 1967. "Mom was wearing hot pants before they were even hot pants," Cordsen said. "She wouldn't let me wear them, though!"

Your 1960s family album —

Kathi Cordsen, not pictured, shared this photo of her mom, left, aunt and grandmother on vacation in 1967. "Mom was wearing hot pants before they were even hot pants," Cordsen said. "She wouldn't let me wear them, though!"

courtesy kathi cordsen

This wintry scene in Ballwin, Missouri, in 1967, came from <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1137807">Carol Bock</a>, front, who said her mother would put bread bags on their feet to keep them warm. "I remember playing in the snow and throwing snowballs," she said. "I never liked it when my brothers threw the snowballs back at me." (Click the double arrows for more photos.)

Your 1960s family album —

This wintry scene in Ballwin, Missouri, in 1967, came from Carol Bock, front, who said her mother would put bread bags on their feet to keep them warm. "I remember playing in the snow and throwing snowballs," she said. "I never liked it when my brothers threw the snowballs back at me." (Click the double arrows for more photos.)

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1119195">Powell Burns, </a>third child from left, says his father enjoyed taking his sons on weekend excursions and always had his camera with him. This photo was taken in 1963.

Your 1960s family album —

Powell Burns, third child from left, says his father enjoyed taking his sons on weekend excursions and always had his camera with him. This photo was taken in 1963.

courtesy powell burns

Your 1960s family album —

Burns, left, in 1964 with two of his brothers.

courtesy powell burns

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1137306">Lauren Wilson</a>, age 3 in 1967, felt like a princess in her chiffon dress and orange patent leather shoes. Her mother always dressed her and her sister alike.

Your 1960s family album —

Lauren Wilson, age 3 in 1967, felt like a princess in her chiffon dress and orange patent leather shoes. Her mother always dressed her and her sister alike.

courtesy lauren wilson

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1139587">Barbara Wright-Avlitis</a> is proud of this fashionable photo from September 1965. It was taken for a mother-daughter formal luncheon. Her aunt provided the clothes so she might fit in at the "rather exclusive high school" she ended up attending. "Most of the girls who went to the school were rich and from upper-class families but my family was a pretty average middle-class bunch. We weren't used to putting on airs or hobnobbing with celebrities. In fact, we were pretty nervous about the whole thing because mom wanted to make me proud and I just wanted to blend in."

Your 1960s family album —

Barbara Wright-Avlitis is proud of this fashionable photo from September 1965. It was taken for a mother-daughter formal luncheon. Her aunt provided the clothes so she might fit in at the "rather exclusive high school" she ended up attending. "Most of the girls who went to the school were rich and from upper-class families but my family was a pretty average middle-class bunch. We weren't used to putting on airs or hobnobbing with celebrities. In fact, we were pretty nervous about the whole thing because mom wanted to make me proud and I just wanted to blend in."

courtesy barbara-wright avilitis

Your 1960s family album —

"My mother was an avid seamstress and took great pride in showing off her children dressed in the turquoise tops she had made for my brothers and sisters," said Doug Barker of Westfield, Indiana about the matching outfits. "I just spoke with her and she still remembers dressing us alike. I'm sure most will notice but, besides the matching outfits, I especially like her cat glasses and my Dad's bow tie. She told me how important it was to dress the children alike back then."

courtesy doug barker

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1119605">Kim Finne</a> fondly remembers dancing with her father before the family's New Year's Eve party in 1969 in Sherwood, Arkansas.

Your 1960s family album —

Kim Finne fondly remembers dancing with her father before the family's New Year's Eve party in 1969 in Sherwood, Arkansas.

courtesy kim finne

<a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1119538">Regina Pierce </a>dubbed this 1968 family trip the "flower power camping trip" to Simi Valley, California. Pierce is the blond girl on the front right. "In those days, everyone in the neighborhood knew each other (and their kids)," she said. "It wasn't unusual for the families to not only socialize, but yes, even go camping together!"

Your 1960s family album —

Regina Pierce dubbed this 1968 family trip the "flower power camping trip" to Simi Valley, California. Pierce is the blond girl on the front right. "In those days, everyone in the neighborhood knew each other (and their kids)," she said. "It wasn't unusual for the families to not only socialize, but yes, even go camping together!"

courtesy Regina Pierce

Your 1960s family album

Experience “The Sixties” on CNN on Thursdays at 9p ET/PT. Discover your ’60s personality by taking the CNN Sixties quiz.

Story highlights

Family photos from the 1960s say a lot about the style and events of the time

Fifty years ago, families were larger -- and their photos show it

Matching outfits, especially among children, were more popular

CNN —

The good ole days: When life was more innocent, families were happier and children behaved better. Or maybe not.

Oh, how things have changed, and haven’t really.

After sifting through dozens of 1960s family portraits that CNN readers shared, here’s what we deduced about the decade and how we lived. Send in your own photos and observations here, and tell us if you agree.

1. Families were larger.

Kathi Cordsen grew up with five siblings, Lauri Williams was one of eight adopted children and David Gregory was the oldest of 14. In 1960, the average family had 3.67 children, compared to 3.12 in 2013.

“There were four Catholic families of 10 or more children within two blocks,” said Gregory, who lived in Canton, Illinois. “My mother’s three siblings (all living in Canton) had 27 children total, so the 41 of us never lacked for cousin playmates.”

2. But that doesn’t mean they were happier.

We tend to romanticize the past. But the hilarious 1967 photo of a grumpy teenage Debra Harris next to her “equally perky” parents reminds us that all ’60s families weren’t as cheerful as the Ozzie and Harriet clan.

3. Matching outfits were popular.

From the Butler brothers’ identical cowboy getups, and the Jones sisters’ matching dresses and pigtails, we wouldn’t mind if this adorable trend made a comeback.

4. Kids’ clothes were dressier.

Just look at the kneesocks and Mary Janes! Is it weird that the children in these photos have better wardrobes than adults today?

5. Nerdy family photos have always existed.

And we’re hoping they always will. In this priceless 1967 snap, Craig Reigelhaupt is the little guy in the horn-rimmed glasses and tiny red bow tie.

6. They were hipper than they knew.

Forget Instagram, these photos are the real deal, with their sepia tones and square format. Chris Brown’s family photo is a perfect example.

Do you have a favorite car from the ’60s? Share a photo of your favorite and your memories here!