General Chat

What lovely things do you all have from your rellies? I thought my partner was lucky with paintings, books (written by the family), family bibles etc. Then I realised from threads that some people have nothing but names and now certificates. I now know I am lucky too with books (owned by rellies), a bookshelf made from a family dining table, a copy of indentures etc. What lovely things do you treasure? Jen. x

I have a ring from my gran...was given to me when she died last year, so scared of loosing it i cant wear it!

my mother in law was in the ladies land army in the 1930s 40 i think and she had a certificate when she came out and it has been in a frame on the wall ever since sadly she isnt with us no more but the certificates is proudley on the wall anne

We have a Moustash cup that dates back generations in the Faulkner Family passed to oldest boys with Joseph in there name. Now transfered to Ives as Dad was the only boy from that Generation. We also have the belt my Grandad used on Dad and my uncles when they were children and his Fob watch. I kept my dads riding cane ..for similar reasons

Im one of those who dont have anything,except memories of my grandparents.I think my mums got one photo of my gran and no more.They never kept anything,My mum even threw away her grandads diary,with his reals mums name in,and she cant remember what the name was!It made me so mad with her cos I cant get any further back now. Since being on this site though,Ive been in contact with a relative,and she has sent me pictures of my gtgtgtgran which is nice Anna :-)

My grandad on my father's side had died before i was born, and one day whils't visiting my mum, she asked me if i would like this bag of goodies that belonged to my grandad. I took it home and opened it up, and there was hand written sheet music books, written by him 1915. ( he was a piano tuner.) here in Australia. There was also appointment ledgers of people who's piano's he tuned in my home town in the 20s. A small sewing box ( needle and threads ) a box of wax-tipped matches, some old opera theatre tickets 1930,and a small brown book of old address in the U.K ( where he was born ) I was thrilled to bits with having these items, and i keep them in a safe place and show them now to my grandchildren. So i can now show them something that there G,G, Grandfather once had. Tony Oz

I have a letter from a great-uncle written to his younger sister on her birthday a couple of months before he was killed in WW1.

Hi Jen i have a crystal necklace from my mum, she was going to leave it to me in her will, but wanted to see me enjoy it, while she is still here. I also have some photos of gr gr gran, gr gran and gr uncle which i treasure. sandra

A photo of my Gloucestershire gt grandfather (because only recently I found out about it - I didn't know it existed) My ruby & diamond ring, which was my mother-in-law's engagement ring all the letters my grandfather wrote to my grandmother some handworked linen done by my Cornish great-grandmother who died when her daughter (my grannie) was 11. nell

i have a necklace my grandad gave my nan, when she died he gave it to my dad for me, its lovely blue and clear stones, not sure if they are real as its so old and thought maybe the kind of paste stones

My mother has her Grandmothers christening gown,all her siblings wore it and so have all her children and grandchildren the latest one one to wear it was my nephew a year ago. It is still in lovely condition and still white. My mother washes it with net curtain whitener. She also has all my grandmothers ration books , rent books all in lovely condition. Joanne.

i have my grans photo albums (which strangely enough i havent been able to look at and she died in the 1980's!!) which i think cover almost all her life from 1904...her wedding ring...a funny wooden chair that was her 21st birthday present and my grandfathers litle book of common prayer which is inscribed by his mother for his 12th birthday (he was born 1905) guess im really really lucky arent i?? kaz

Hi All It seems some people don't put a 'sentimental price' on such heirlooms!!! I've just seen a couple of beautiful old bibles, complete with family registers, on sale on e-bay, with the seller stating 'this has been handed down to me through my family, through many generations'!!!...........and they are selling it??!!..................... Sarah x

I have my Mam's crucifix which she wore every day. Also her parents love-cards to each other during WW1, a family bible, photos, letters, Granda's medals, newspaper cuttings. Feel very lucky to have all my treasures--makes me feel close to my ancestors. Sal

I have photographs, snap shots really, but I treasure them.We have, through my husbands cousin copies of photographs of his, if I remember rightly, his g.grandfather. I also have little bits which belonged to my mother. I am such a hoarder that my son will either be VERY pleased or VERY VERY angry When I go. Deanna

Deanna - sure he'll love it, or pretend to. Make him keep the stuff anyway, say YOUR kids might be interested one day! I'm getting paranoid about my stuff now, feel like putting it in a box and storing somewhere really really safe, lol. Jen

Unfortunately for me my Mum was a member of the 'No use for it chuck it out' Club. All I have is her Ruby ring she got on her Ruby Wedding Anniversary , her wedding ring. and a few photos (well old ones). Some of the photos I haven't a clue who they are but am visiting another relative next week who may be able to help me. Linda. P.s. My brother found a photo of them on their wedding day recently. so that is lovely.

My Grandmother's Baptism Certificate (1889) and the only photo of her that has ever survived, she was probably aged about 20, so c1910 .... The only 'official records' ever kept for her. Both are now so frail neither my Uncle (cert) or Mum (photo)will let either out of their hands for even a moment. Still think of them as 'mine' as I am the one doing the family tree :) Chris

Linda - hope yr new rellie meet goes well. My dad's like yr mum but luckily mum & grandma both squirrelly! Chris - my mum's got stuff I can look at but not take out of her house, like postcards from a US trip in 1910 (about 30 of 'em). Just have to visit more often (shame, 300miles each way) :-) Jen

I have a plant which belonged to my great grandmother! I have done cuttings for the family but the one I have is the original! Dont ask me what it is called as I havent a clue...all I know is that I havent managed to kill it yet! Bev