I admit it. I am great at collecting people and gathering data, sources, documents, photos, etc. I love research and recording of people and their lives. However, I also have collected and been given what amounts to dozens of boxes, shelves and small storage containers full of heirlooms that I have not been so good at “sourcing”.

Tonight I was told….write it down, put it on the object or else…. 

I have so many little treasures from my family, most I know the history for and have it written down, here and there. Then there are the items I have no clue about, but because my great grandmother, or great Aunt or whoever saved it, I though if it was important to them I should keep it. Even though I have no clue to the history or sentiment attached to the item, I keep it. 

I started a log years ago, never finished it. I had taken at least three or more photos of each heirloom I had at the time, and then took a 3X5 index card and wrote about the item. As much as I knew anyway. What was it, who owned it, where did it come from, what was the meaning, who gave it to me, etc. I never completed the task and never put the information together. Shame on me.  

That will change next week when I am taking a few days off for myself. I am going to spend some time not on people per say, but on these pieces of treasured pasts. I am going to get that photo album down, find all the photos and make new ones as needed and label these pieces of history.

I do not want to see my family history treasures  become part of an estate sale or E-Bay trash trinkets.