|
One of our genealogy patrons recently
discussed a situation she heard about at a yard sale up north. I have
eliminated names and specific references to places in the interest of
privacy issues. I think the circumstances and its implications for
everyone, especially those interested in genealogy, speaks for itself.
The yard sale was like most common sales. Items for sale included
decorative plates, light fixtures, Christmas lights, old clothes, tools,
and a variety of computer and automotive parts. As her friend was
browsing, she noticed a slim, colored leather book, its border framed in
gold. This was clearly something personal in nature that was likely
discarded either by accident or by a family member cleaning up a home or
apartment after the death of an elderly family member. This unfortunate
occurrence often happens when the significance of an old treasure is not
apparent to the person who is getting the house or apartment ready for a
sale or new occupant.
The frontispiece read: "In Memoriam." It was a funeral book for a
gentlemen who was born, according to the information typed on the next
page, on 1 March 1856 in Buffalo, New York, and passed away on 30 October
1943 in Peoria, Illinois. Other information in the book included the name
of the woman who played the organ at the funeral, the name and address of
the Presbyterian Church where the funeral was held, detailed descriptions
of the various flower arrangements, and a register containing the
signatures of the mourners that attended.
The book also contained a variety of other important personal documents.
Carefully folded inside the front section of the book were two copies of
the deceased individual's death certificate. There was a letter dated 1881
from an employee of the Western Electric Company recommending that the
deceased be admitted to Rutgers University. Other items included old
photographs from a company-sponsored event on New Year's Day in 1930, a
customs declaration for one of his sons, and a newspaper clipping for an
award received by a daughter. The back section of the book held a folder
containing a variety of personal correspondence and legal papers showing
specific dates and places of residence, employment, churches and schools
attended, and other family information.
The gentlemen conducting the yard sale had no idea of how, when, or where
the book had come from. Our shopper was just starting to get involved in
genealogy. She was in the early stages of learning how to gather family
information, organize data, and learning the importance of old documents.
She appreciated how grateful she would have been to stumble across this
type of information in her own research. The classes at the local
genealogical society made her determined to try and find out as many clues
as possible to find someone in the family and return the book to them.
Using the skills developed in genealogy classes, and advice from the local
genealogy society, our shopper searched online phone directories, census
records for the state and counties mentioned, Googled the family names,
posted messages on various message boards, and any other strategy she
could think of. The process is now going on five years and counting.
This story should make you think about all the items of genealogical value
that may be sitting around your home or the home of a sibling who had no
idea of their importance. The items could include: report cards, family
heirlooms, class photos, old legal papers, yearbooks, diaries, tax
returns, or various insurance papers. Thirty years from now someone might
find these
items interesting. Others may think they are trash and dispose of them
without a second thought.
Bryan L. Mulcahy
Reference Librarian
Fort Myers-Lee County Library
bryanmulcahy@hotmail.com
|
