My grandma [Mom's mom], 97 and of sharp mind, and living in a nursing home in my hometown, directed her kids to sell her household stuff. Some family artifacts that she had she specifically directed to family members; knowing how much I love family genealogy, and about the only family member that is always asking her to share about the past she directed that her mom's funeral book about her grandma be given to me. That would be the funeral book of my great, great grandma, on my grandma's maternal side.
I didn't even know it 'existed,' and when my mother gave it to me Wednesday when I got home - I almost cried ...........I couldn't believe none of my aunts or uncles wanted the book! It is a family treasure trove!! I'm about half way through carefully cataloging the numerous newspaper, personal and funeral card attachments in it. The attachments in the book are held there with straight pins - not staples, that's how old this book is.
It's a tedious labor of love because some of the articles have notes written beside them in the funeral book, so I must be very careful to mention them; and some I've had to look up on family charts, and still don't know where they belong on the family tree. There are many in the family who are somewhat familiar with grandpa's side of the family, but this is grandma's side. This book, thus far, appears to be the funeral book kept by my great grandma, for all the notes are by her; matter of fact I'm beginning to speculate that maybe my great grandma did most, if not all of it, and my grandma just got the book passed on to her. Thus far I've counted almost 30 pins holding article's in the book.
This book is from the first Funeral Home in my hometown; it precedes the two that are there now, and even they are now under one owner. The cover title is 'Cherished Memories.' I came across two interesting page titles that I've never seen before, if any of you have, I'd love to hear about it .... the title to those pages is 'MOTOR CARS OUR FRIENDS DONATED,' is that not unusual or what?! Well, back to my adventure - I may have something further to report later.
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Congratulations on your new possession. I hope to inherit a few like that but I hope my grandparents on both sides force me to wait for awhile!
ReplyDeleteGrandma is really doing well; and despite all family expectations she is happy at the nursing home. I suspect there are a lot of reasons for that, but the major one I believe is that she doesn't have to worry about all the daily grinds, and her son Denny keeps her finances going. Gram was very specific about getting the things in the house sold, and she'll let them know when the house is to go on the market. I'm so blessed to have a grandma that old so alert - and so giving!!
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