DEEP DIVE

“My grandparents circa” memes caption black and white photos of modern celebrities as if they were vintage family photos. These memes joke that famous celebrity photo shoots, album covers, movie screenshots, and memes are actually pieces of personal family history.

Archived footage of my Grandmother in 1969, being interrogated by the FBI and refusing to turn over members of the Black Panther Party. pic.twitter.com/xe4IB8LErj

— The Bar. (@djordxc) April 7, 2021

This meme format surged in popularity in early April 2021.

Just found this old picture of my grandma and great aunt ❤️ they ran a small dairy farm in upstate NY pic.twitter.com/g4RQDMazBT

— limp brittzkit (@Brittymigs) April 5, 2021

My great-grandma in 1914 ♥ She was the first female flight attendant for the United States' first scheduled commercial airline flight on 1 January 1914 😍 pic.twitter.com/lycJPdjxEm

— Shady Brian (@FramingBritney) April 4, 2021

My grandmother fighting for her rights as an Italian <3 pic.twitter.com/78AY9jCL4T

— s (@salvucciodamico) April 5, 2021

A popular reply to these posts is the copypasta from the “baby, this is Keke Palmer” meme.

Are you nuts? That is Snookie from Jersey shore!!!!!!

— Sandra Burke (@sandrakatylol) April 6, 2021

my beautiful great great grandma celebrating her quinceañera in mexico pic.twitter.com/aZJnObWZxH

— zander (@zandirts) April 6, 2021

My great grandma being rescued after the titanic hit the iceberg 1912 pic.twitter.com/FR2zTwSmZG

— Rinconeño (@fuckmigueI) April 6, 2021

My great grandma raising the chickens on the farm (1942) pic.twitter.com/nDYe9rGAWL

— Aaron (@theaaronkeonet) April 6, 2021

Picture of my Great grandma arriving in Montgomery after walking from Selma in 1965 pic.twitter.com/xdzJ0PPW4s

— Spiritual King🇭🇹 (@ThatZoeJames) April 6, 2021

Just found this picture of my great grandpa helping the church kids in the 40’s. He was so nice, I miss him so much ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Yno7FWwR32

— anthony🪁💜 (@ohmygodhedead) April 1, 2021

My grandmother with her friends enjoying a day at the beach in El Salvador , circa 1958 pic.twitter.com/8YcmJKdCoA

— Anush🎃 (@Nush_z) April 5, 2021

My Grandpa with some friends during the Woodstock festival (1969). pic.twitter.com/0nMDFe7aJj

— Jolyne is coming 🦋 (@Alshymi) April 6, 2021

just found this photo of my great grandparents during the depression, so fascinating to see how people used to live back then pic.twitter.com/oJxJx4BzWw

— katherine (@kit_KATherine__) April 6, 2021

my great great grandma and grandpa after getting their freedom papers in 1865 pic.twitter.com/qK6MGiC4nP

— 🍜 (@yourfriendslim) April 6, 2021