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Family Heirlooms

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My Family Heirlooms

Alas, I don't have many family heirlooms. After researching my family tree, I found out why. Most of my ancestors were labourers, carpenters, servants and the occasional smuggler! Consequently not much of any value, either sentimental or monietary, has been passed down through the generations.

What I do have though is some wonderful family photographs, such as the one here. This is believed to be a family member who emigrated, or was sent, (depending on your point of view) to Canada as a teenager.

I also have a crocheted table cloth that my Grandmother made. There's a couple of beautiful baby shawls that were made by Great Aunts for my children, tucked away in the attic, waiting to be used by the next generation.

I thought it would be great to find out what family heirlooms you have, or maybe intend to leave for others.

You can let me know about your Family Heirlooms by adding to the guestbook.

The best Family Heirlooms will be given their own pride of place on THE FAMILY ALBUM as the list grows.

Maybe you have something rare and valuable. Maybe you have a recipe from your Great Grandma. Whatever it is, please share it so that we can all enjoy it together.

What's the nicest thing that's been passed onto you? What's the most bizarre item to have come your way? Whatever it is, this is the place to tell about it!

Broyhill Attic Heirlooms

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PLEASE TELL ABOUT YOUR HEIRLOOMS HERE

I decided to place the Guestbook close to the beginning of the page where you can find it.

SO WHAT IS YOUR FAMILY HEIRLOOM?

If something special (or not so special) has been left to you, add an entry in the guestbook and tell the world.

Or maybe it's something you're hoping is going to come your way!!

Once I've had a chance to read about it, I'll share it with everyone in The Family Album

CLICK HERE to join Squidoo and create your own first lens. What to make a lens about? How about YOU! A short biography of yourself is always a good way to start as a lensmaster. That should take about 5 minutes - you can come back to it and improve it time and time again.

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  • Reply
    vallain Jan 10, 2011 @ 6:15 pm | delete
    My family treasures a cedar chest that my grandfather made. They also have some World War One memorabilia including an old helmet from a great-uncle. Other than some very old diaries, no family heirlooms of great value survived the passing of the generations and the travels across the country by my family.
  • Reply
    familystorykeeper Jul 23, 2010 @ 8:52 pm | delete
    I have the guitar my mother's father gave her just before he died. She treasured it and kept it through the years even though she didn't get to learn how to play it. Fortunately my dad gave it to me a little while before he had to move into an assisted care facility. When I see it I am reminded of my grandfather's love for my mother. I also treasure family stories that my mother and grandmother wrote down. They help me to know more about my ancestors.
  • Reply
    spirituality May 21, 2009 @ 7:58 am | delete
    Great lens - you've been blessed by a squidoo angel :)
  • Reply
    Evelyn_Saenz May 19, 2009 @ 6:22 pm | delete
    I guess my most treasured heirloom is the family farm that we live on in the summer. Though most anything of value to others was sold at the auction after the death of my great aunts, each summer we find treasures that got left behind in the dirt outside the house. It might be square headed nails, bits of brick from the chimney of Garner Rix's house or broken bits of dishes. One year we even found a rusty old toy gun that must have been made some time before the Civil War.

    Heirlooms are treasures that we pass down to the next generation to help them understand their roots. Thank you for sharing your heirlooms.
  • Reply
    aj2008 Jan 31, 2009 @ 10:26 am | delete
    Back for another visit as I remembered something else. When my son was born my mother in law made a christening gown out of my mother's wedding dress. Now isn't that special!
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Heirloom Books On Amazon

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The Family Album

  1. Broyhill Attic Heirlooms
  2. My Family Heirlooms By GrammaLinda
  3. My Family Heirlooms By Debnet
  4. My Family Heirlooms By Poddys
  5. My Family Heirlooms by d-artist
  6. My Family Heirlooms By Vallain
  8. My Family Heirlooms By Evelyn Saenz
  9. Another Family Heirloom From aj2008
  10. My Family Heirlooms By JaguarJulie
  11. Rocking Horse Heirlooms
  12. My Family Heirlooms By AndyPo
  13. My Family Heirlooms By aj2008
  14. Aj Feb 2012
  15. My Family Heirlooms By Joan4
  17. My Family Heirlooms By Vbright105
  19. My Family Heirlooms By Beeobrien
  20. Search For Heirlooms On Amazon
  21. My Family Heirlooms By Mulberry
  22. My Family Heirlooms By OhMe
  23. My Family Heirlooms By Margo Arrowsmith
  24. Nancy Oram's Family Heirlooms
  25. Joan4 Even Has A Lens About Her Aunt Didge's Coat!
  26. Here's Joan4's Super Tribute To Aunt Didge's Coat!
  27. roseeblue Has An Heirloom Too!
  28. Love This Lens?
  30. Poddys And Debnet Blog
  32. Follow Me On Twitter

My Family Heirlooms By GrammaLinda

GrammaLindaI have copies of discharge papers from my great-grandfather and his brother who both fought in the Civil War, one for the north, one for the south. Family stories say that they met on the battlefield, but shot at trees instead of each other.

I have some things my dad and grandfather built (they were carpenters, too), a painting that was my grandmother's, and some of my grandmother's costume jewelry. I have a cast iron bulldog bank that belonged to my uncle when he was a child. The most important things I have, though, are the photos of family. These are especially precious when they have names on them. I also have some post cards my grandfather and greatgrandfather exchanged with relatives from 1904 to 1958.

My Family Heirlooms By Debnet

Well I thought I'd get the ball rolling.

Ok, apart from some wonderful old photographs, which I love, I don't have very much in the way of heirlooms.

I do have some old boxed cutlery from a Great Grandmother, but they came to me by default as no-one else wanted them. I also have a very old Singer sewing machine, used by the same Grandmother.

I rescued an old Bible from my Nan's after she died. It's not in good condition though, so maybe one day I'll get it restored.

I'm already planning what I'll leave and to whom...but that would be telling ;)

My Family Heirlooms By Poddys

Very nice lens, well worth 5*****. Where do I start... I have some crochet work from my Grandmother, a lampshade my Mum made, recordings of music my Dad composed, and then my Grandfather's naval documents from 1906 to the end of WWI. He was shipwrecked in the Pacific in a sailing ship, one of the last Cape-Horners, and I have 2 photo albums of him on board ship in WWI. Also, my Grandmother's autograph book with many poems, pictures and cartoons.

My Family Heirlooms by d-artist

Although my family came through the German war and having lost everything, including our homes and belongings, my mother sewed family jewels into her Persian lamb coat to buy food as we moved around, what jewelry was left we have...besides a suitcase of photos, genealogy chart, war medals and mementos, I have very few things.

I have a few heirlooms that survived the war, some are shown on some of my lenses...when I think about it, they mean nothing if you don't have grandchildren to pass down to...my parents died young and my daughters are the end of the line for my genealogy....But I'm glad I have the items, they actually gave me information about my family that I did not know.

My Family Heirlooms By Vallain

My family treasures a cedar chest that my grandfather made. They also have some World War One memorabilia including an old helmet from a great-uncle. Other than some very old diaries, no family heirlooms of great value survived the passing of the generations and the travels across the country by my family.

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My Family Heirlooms By Evelyn Saenz

I guess my most treasured heirloom is the family farm that we live on in the summer. Though most anything of value to others was sold at the auction after the death of my great aunts, each summer we find treasures that got left behind in the dirt outside the house. It might be square headed nails, bits of brick from the chimney of Garner Rix's house or broken bits of dishes. One year we even found a rusty old toy gun that must have been made some time before the Civil War.

Heirlooms are treasures that we pass down to the next generation to help them understand their roots. Thank you for sharing your heirlooms.

Another Family Heirloom From aj2008

Back for another visit as I remembered something else. When my son was born my mother in law made a christening gown out of my mother's wedding dress. Now isn't that special!

My Family Heirlooms By JaguarJulie

Our family has some heirlooms -- many of which are in safe keeping by my sisters and brother as they are still in the Cleveland area and were there when our grandparents and father passed on. So, they divided up the items. What is most memorable to me are two anniversary pins that my father acquired for his long tenure at a Cleveland company. He worked there 40 years -- which is unheard of these days. The company was the Yoder Company. The pin is a Y with tiny diamonds for each decade served. I've got two of them. From my grandma Julia Nagy I have an English Bone China piece that is like a flower paperweight of several roses. I've also got several of her crocheted doilies and an afghan.

Rocking Horse Heirlooms

Walnut Rocking Horse

Walnut Rocking Horse


A Rocking Heirloom This magnificent Walnut Rocking Horse combines the magnificence and imaginative flare of traditional rocking horses with the artisans own sense of grace and precision Each horse is sculpted and outfitted to perfection making the ideal heirloom a pure joy for both the young and the old Its genuine horsehair mane and tail and is immaculately outfitted with the highest quality tack Both saddle and bridle are removable allowing children the pleasure of grooming their own horse This magnificent horse is embedded deep within twenty coats of the finest lacquer giving a translucent porcelain-like finish When cherished these horses will live for generations Heirloom quality hand sculpted hardwood Genuine horse hair Mane and Tail Suede saddle cloth Recomended for ages 3 and up Dimensions: Medium: 47L x 41H x 16W Large: 58L x 50H x 20W



My Family Heirlooms By AndyPo

Great idea for a lens.

I've been researching my family tree, partly to establish the origin of my double-barreled surname; apparently the result of an illicit liaison between a naughty (and underage) boy in a very wealthy household and a maid. Unfortunately none of the wealth propagated through to my side of the family, nor to my generation. I did however inherit a wonderful German 400-day clock from my grandfather. It is worth very little, but I have loved it since I was a child. It needs to be wound just once a year - It gains about an hour a day for the first three months, then fluctuates according to the weather for six months then loses a lot for the final three.

My Family Heirlooms By aj2008

One of my most treasured photos is one that was taken of me in 1955 or 6 with my Great grandmother who was nearly 100 years old! (Ok so I have probably given my age away.) I actually remember the photo being taken, when I was around 2 years old. She died not long after and did not quite make it to her centenary. However, to think I was being held by someone who was born around 1856 (that is 152 years ago) is quite awesome when you think about it!

Another treasured possession is the Christmas Catus that belonged to my Grandmother. I inherited it in 1976, when she died, and I remember it always being in her "front room" from when I was very small. It may well be that the plant is getting on for 100 years old!

Aj Feb 2012

Recently I have been discovering family heirlooms following the passing away of my Dad. With Mum in a Nursing Home I have had to clear their house and it has been a roller coaster of a ride of tears and laughter as each new discovery has been made.

It is so hard to decide what we should keep and what we really should let go of. As a result, they are all boxed up at my house, waiting for the time when I can make more sensible decisions.

Family Heirloom Video

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My Family Heirlooms By Joan4

My biggest treasure is my mother's diary the year she met my dad. In my senior years now, I am trying to be sure my adult children know what all the treasures are and where they came from - why they are treasures. None of any huge monetary value - but family treasures, for sure. I constantly preach the importance of writing your own personal history and yes, I have a lens about that, too!

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My Family Heirlooms By Vbright105

The best heirlooms I have, are memories, and the Stories my Parent's and Grandmother told. I also have my Dad's Medals from VFW. 5*

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My Family Heirlooms By Beeobrien

My mother has always been a packrat, so I have tons of old stuff, some of which would be considered heirloom. Problem is, when things get so old, even junk is difficult to discard. "Those cancelled checks are 100 years old! You can't throw them away." I have a dress from the 19th century, a crumbling Bible, a broken ukelele (unfixable),and lots of wonderful photos.

Search For Heirlooms On Amazon

My Family Heirlooms By Mulberry

My ancestry is more like yours, people of meager means! I do have sentimental things, like a drawstring purse my grandmother crocheted for me and some old tin soldiers my father had as a child. I also have a fold up shovel (I don't know what it's called) that my grandfather had in WWI.

Family Heirlooms on Amazon

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My Family Heirlooms By OhMe

I come from a long line of pack rats so have lots of heirlooms. Thanks for the reminder to treasure them. 5*

My Family Heirlooms By Margo Arrowsmith

I have the clock that was bought the week my grandfather was born. I remember staying at his place, sleeping on the sofa and watching him smoke in the dinning room where the clock was. I thought the clock was cherry or mahogany. When Mom gave it to me, I started to clean it with denatured alcohol. All that dark wood was layers and layers from years of nicotine. It turned out it was golden oak! Bou am I glad I never smoked!

I would love to have you visit my Family Legends lens, you may not have many heirlooms, but I better you have lots of family legends!

http://www.squidoo.com/familylegends

Nancy Oram's Family Heirlooms

Nancy OramI've become the family history keeper in my family. The most valuable to me are the volumes of journals and antique photos. I also have crocheted bedspreads, really old books, cedar chests, silverware, carnival glass, artwork. None of it is worth much in monetary value, but each tells a story. For instance, I have a very cheap wooden bracelet that my mother "accidentally" left with my father the night they met. He had to return it the next day and the rest was history. I have a grandfather's straight-edge razor and leather change purse, a grandmother's crochet hooks, a great-great-grandfather's train schedule. Each has a story to tell and helps piece together the family history.

Joan4 Even Has A Lens About Her Aunt Didge's Coat!

Joan4Our Aunt Didge used to wear a beautiful pink cashmere coat. We all thought it was so very glamorous! That was back in the 1950's. Sister Betty ended up with Aunt Didge's coat and last year had it converted into a beautiful quilt! Oh what a treasure! Of course we made a page to show it off! http://www.squidoo.com/family-treasure

My personal favorite heirloom is my mom's diary -- from the year she met my dad. In the diary, on every single page after they met, she has written "Happy" across the page. it touches my heart every time I see it. That would have been in the late 1930's. Such a treasure! Priceless!

Here's Joan4's Super Tribute To Aunt Didge's Coat!

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roseeblue Has An Heirloom Too!

My family heirloom is a baby shawl. I spun the wool and knitted it from a very traditional pattern. It is 30 years old and now our family is expecting the first second generation baby. This will really make the item an heirloom now. It was so exciting when my sister retrieved it from the "archives" on the weekend in anticipation of the babies birth in the next week or so.

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What Do You Think About Family Heirlooms?

I thought it would be fun to get your views on the benefits or the curse of Family Heirlooms. Maybe you don't see the point of them, maybe you cherish them.

Are Family Heirlooms Important?

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Joan4 says:

Oh yes! every one is a treasure. It's not about monetary value, but about continuing to honor past generations and the lessons we learned from them, and the love we received from them.

Posted January 02, 2012

NancyOram says:

I love connecting with my ancestors and learning about them through some of the things passed down.

Posted December 23, 2011

poddys says:

Definitely they are. They not only bring back memories of when you were younger and used to see/use them in the house, or maybe in your grandparents house, but they are something from the family to be handed on down to your children, and their children as well.

Posted February 28, 2011

aj2008 says:

Oh yes most definitely! I even keep a small jug, which depicts fox hunting, which I am totally against, just because it belonged to my Nana!

Posted October 31, 2008

 

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