Do you own heirlooms — and like to tell the story about them? Is there a favourite story about a relative you like to share?
As family historians, we tend to have a lot of stories and anecdotes floating around in our head that we struggle to put down on paper. We usually own a number heirlooms that also have stories and memories attached to them that make those family treasures more meaningful than just calling them, “old stuff.”
Janet Few, who is a professional genealogist and writer in England, has created a website, called Granny’s Tales and Treasures, to share her stories about her heirlooms and family. Her work may help inspire many of us to do something similar, or at least to write down some of our memories.
She writes about why she created the website for her family. “I wanted a vehicle for the stories of the family treasures that I am privileged to have in my temporary care. Without the associated narratives, these heirlooms become mere ‘things’; I feel the need to explain their significance and let others know why they are precious.”
An example of how Ms. Few tells a story is the one about the pocket watch her grandfather owned. After reading the story, it will certainly be harder for a descendant to simply toss the watch in the trash many years from now. At least, I hope that’s the case.
Ms. Few explains why she is writing these stories. “I am the only person with most of this knowledge; it is my responsibility not to let it be lost.”
She hopes that people “will take a quick look (at her stories) and be inspired to tell their own family stories.
As family historians and archivists, we probably all should take on the same responsibility.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about taking photos of several heirlooms around the house, writing a brief story about each one, and putting the photos and stories together in a book. That way, when my descendants look at all our stuff, they’ll be better informed about what to keep, give to a relative, or toss. At the very least, they’ll have the photos and stories.
Now, to take on the task.
