General Chat

"And Mizpah; for he said, The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another."

I am not sure if this is the verse that was mentioned earlier but my grandmother's Mizpah brooch was given to her when my grandfather was away.-jl

I have framed a print which used to be a fire screen in my parents bedroom. It has pride of place on the wall in our lounge. I look at it each day and think about them and my happy childhood.

On the day that my MIL was buried, my FIL handed me 2 green glass figurines that he had made when he was employed as a glassblower. I was embarrassed at taking these out of hubby family home when he had many siblings.. FIL insisted I have them because he told me he knew that I would take care of them. I have them safely displayed and know my in-laws would be pleased they are as good now as the day I was given them over 40 years ago.

I have a cameo brooch that I remember my Dad buying for Mum when I was a small child. We had gone for the day to the seaside when Dad disappeared for a short while and returned with the brooch and pinned it on Mum's jacket. We had very little spare cash but Mum beamed and couldn't have been happier if she was presented with the crown jewels. To me this little cameo brooch is priceless.

Have been away for couple of days, and was so pleased this thread still going strong, thanks to everyone for their contributions and for keeping it going. Will definitely save this when finished, such fascinating also sad stories.
Thanks to Carol for your story re grand mother., and I am sorry for what the family/yourself have suffered.
Sue :>))).

A beautiful prayer book with a hand-written inscription:-

'To dear Lizzy - wishing you a very happy new year. 1st January 1879'.

Unfortunately, we no longer know who Lizzy was & there is no indication who presented the gift. Sad really.

My grandparents couldn't afford an engagement ring in 1904 but when Grandad came back from the 1st world war he bought Nan a ring then from a Plymouth jewellers. This has now passed from my Mum to me and hopefully one day to my daughter and her daughters. I found a copy of an old parish magazine containing an advert from the jewellers and there was a picture of the ring complete with description - containing REAL DIAMONDS (their emphasis!) and coming in 3 sizes, normal, large and larger still. It cost 3 pounds which was probably quite a sum at that time.

I have my dad's referee whistle and stop watch

The watch doesn't work but the two things reminds me of all the years he dedicated to youth club work right up to his 70's and how highly he was thought of by his : boys :

Kathy

I have a corner wall cupboard, dated 1750, from my greataunt's (Norah Dean) family. A beautiful piece which currently holds my grandmothers china "breakfast cups" - large Coalport cups and saucers for a good dose of morning tea or coffee. Auntie Norah's only daughter Eileen Ogilvie died at 21 and the cupboard came to my mother then on to me.
I also have my great grandfather's (James Ogilvie) china christening mug, white procelain with gold trim and his name written on the side in gold.
The one tiny item which means trhe world to me is a small swatch of the fabric from my 2xgreat mother's wedding dress.
I understand now why I am a born saver, there are several other items which have been passed down but never properly displayed. They are in a fireproof box - a small shoe, a silver baby rattle on which my mother born 1905 cut her teeth, hand-written notes about family history. The list continues.
On my father's side I have a gold florin which was his father's. Plus a wooden collection plate from the chapel where my grandfather was a lifelong member and deacon, which I received after the chapel was torn down about 20 years ago; the foundation had been washed away, by water having been drained from the baptismal tank I
I feel so fortunate to have these items which connect me to my past.

Some lovely memories on here.

In no order
I have some bone handled knives which belonged to my maternal Great Grandparents.
A lace edged tray cloth the lace worked by my paternal Great Grandmother.

A thin glass tumbler with a gord ring around it which was my Grandparent's, a present on their golden wedding in 1939.

I wear my Mother's wedding ring on the middle finger of my left hand, it is too big for my ring fingers and I don't have small fingers. Yet my Mum was not that big, she had, I think, large knuckles.

I also wear my Mum's sister's engagement ring I love it and probably shouldn't wear it as it is a bit thin.

I have a ring that was my Grandmothers, possibly her wedding or engagement ring with three diamonds set in a wider band of gold.

I have a captains chair that belonged to my Grandfather and a wooden armchair that belonged to my great aunt.

I have jewellry that belonged to my Mum, My Grandmother and my Aunts. (None of it valuable, just of sentimental value.)
I have my Mum's watch.

A diary my Dad wrote while in South America on H.M.S Durban

A letter my Dad wrote to My Mum while he was in South America.

Photos in albums that my Dad took dating from the 20s.

I am sure that there is more but can't think just now.

nudging

Another thing I forgot about is an Autograph Book that belonged to my Maternal Grandmother.Most of the Autographs are of Music Hall people.Marie Lloyd is one among many others .Even Winston Churchill is in it( he must have been to see a show).There are some lovely drawings ,and even water colour paintings,so people must have taken the book away to do them and then taken them back to my Grandmother.I think it was mainly from The Princes Theatre in Bristol in the very early 1900's.It is fascinating.
A bundle of letters wrapped in pink ribbon that my Mum and Dad wrote to eachother before they married.I haven't had the nerve to read them,and I don't think I ever will.(even though I would love to ) lol

I think the same as Ann there are other things too,that will suddenly spring to mind.

nudging

I have a christening shawl which I was given for my son 38yrs ago. It had been handed down in the family I got it from and I treasure it. It's about 100 yrs old, and not many young parents use them now, more's the pity.

nudge :-)

Thought i would give this a nudge.
Sue

My parents and Grand parents genes <3