I got a package in the mail the other day. From Norway!
Some time ago I was standing in an Antique Shop looking at old photos(Imagine that). One of our neighbors happened to be in the shop when I ran across a photo that had Bedstemor written on the back. Russ said “That is Grandmother.” Good enough for me. I bought the photo..because 1. She was a Grandma 2. The rest of her name was on the photo.
Turns out she was the Great Aunt of Conrad Hilton and I can retire on a deserted island. (Just checking to see if you are still reading.) Yes she really is a Hilton. Just wishing on the island.
Anyways I sent her on the way to Liv her Great Great Granddaughter who had never seen a photo of her before. Liv lives in Norway and she knit me mittens! Beautiful hand knit mittens. I will treasure them!
IF you want to read the whole story here is the link. Full Circle 50!! Yes, I have returned 73 photos in 50 Full Circle posts to family, forgotten photos that I have purchased in antique shops, at garage sales and flea markets. Cool..It is a really fun hobby! I work with two researchers, Karl (Iggy) and Sue (Abra), if I am ever lost send those two after me..it is mind boggling the information that they can come up with. Iggy searches public records and Abra is our link to Ancestry. I have met Abra..she and I have been online friends for about four years now, she lives in Minnesota. Iggy lives in Pennsylvania..I sure would like to meet him some day just to give him a great big hug!
Some photos are found through a simple search for a name..That is how Liv found the photo of her Great Great Grandmother.
Everyday is an adventure over at Forgotten Old Photos. One day Abra emailed me the name of a person on Ancestry that would be contacting me about a photo..low and behold it was our old next door neighbors in North Dakota…that surprised even me. That blog does take some time…I just finished scanning all the old photos I have on hand until I purchase more. I won’t be running out of old photos for that blog for a very long time:)
What a wonderful way to help the past come alive for many. A picture to go with their stories makes them more real.
ReplyDeleteI love old photos !
ReplyDeleteI think it is wonderful all the people you have helped with these old photos yes indeed a wonderful hobby connecting familys to some of these old photos ! Great post. Have a good day !
What a nice thing to do, make you those mittens and send them as a thank you. It's a fine thing you do, Connie, and it is appreciated by many who don't even say thank you, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteOf course we were still reading silly - retiring to a Hilton HOTEL on an island right? LOL I love that the photos get returned as so many people have no photos of their old time relatives. It is a great thing that you do!
ReplyDeleteThis is so incredibly cool! I love it! I had noticed that you had the Forgotten Old Photos blog, but had never visited. (Yup, feeling guilty!)
ReplyDeleteMy hubby is a great researcher and finds all kinds of people and connections. The next time we run across an old photo with some details, I'm going to turn him on to finding the ancestors and returning the photo to them!
It really is amazing how your posting and the research done can reach anyone all over the world, just by typing in a name. It is beyond anything we thought we would ever be able to do. And you sometimes get great free mittens from Norway.
ReplyDeleteAmazing.. you are so caring, to take time to research and connect one generation to another. I am glad you were rewarded this time.
ReplyDeleteOh girl, this is sooooo cool! What a neat hobby. It's funny how small the world can be sometimes. Next door! What a hoot!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you'll treasure those mittens sweetie and about that island. We'll all come join ya in the lap of luxury!!! Heehehehe!
God bless you day sweetie!!! :o)
What a great hobby. And those mittens are lovely... Who knows - it might snow again and you can wear them without having to wait for next winter? ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt is a wonderful thing you are doing.What would we do with out our computers.It makes the world a much smaller place.I am so happy to be a part of this blog world.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing hobby! The mittens are truly a blessing for your hard work. I love the Easter header by the way. Your blog is always a joy to read.
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed that you could find a picture of an ancestor in an antique shop! I guess people pick them up out of estates, do a little research and bingo...connections are made.
ReplyDeleteConnie....Good for you rescuing photo's and even better getting them to people they belong to. Your mittens are a wonderful reward/thank you not only will they keep your hands warm but you warmed the heart of another person. I rescue christening records, graduation stuff and wedding pics and send them on to the genealogical/historical society after figuring out what county and what state they belong to. I always hope someday someone will get the record I've saved and treasure it.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, a trip to Tractor supply did not find the ball for feeding birds but I did get a new sock and my husband sprayed silicone on the pole so the squirrels won't be able to get to this sock. Thanks.
This is a really wonderful story. And very lovely mittens, too! :o)
ReplyDeleteI forgot you had that other blog. It got lost somewhere along the line with all my blogger glitches. Oh yes!! I would treasure those handmade mittens! What a great story. I know Iggy is quite the detective when it comes to tracking family members. Wow! Warmed my heart. :)
ReplyDeleteI love all of your blogs, but Forgotten Old Photographs is truly amazing.
ReplyDeleteI love what you do with the old photos, and the mittens are beautiful. Why is it that our hobbies so seldom qualify us to retire on an enchanted tropical island?
ReplyDeleteThose mittens are just awesome! Sure glad you are going to have lots of photo's that will be appearing!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to be acknowledged by a Full Circle recipient in that way. Lovely mittens with a great story attached!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, Iggy and Abra are phenomenal!
You definitely have found a niche in providing a little something to brighten many people's day--everything from a heartwarming story (with an occasional wee bit o' snark thrown in for good measure) to a long-lost historic portrait finding its way home.
That's an amazing story. I had some old photos that my dad took years ago and when my mom couldn't identify any of his friends in them, we might have tossed them. Not good - - huh? Praise God for those of you who love to tackle a puzzle. It's neat to see your results. The mittens are beautiful. My mom loved to knit and would do patterns like that. Knitting drives me almost crazy.
ReplyDeleteI find this fascinating! Great work by you, Iggy and Abra and wonderful to have so many full circle accomplishments.
ReplyDelete*blushes*
ReplyDeleteI am just having a load of fun doing what I can. I miss Abra when she's not around - she is phenomenal.
...but I'd like that hug... :)
You are a hero!!!! You really are. I have old photos that I don't know who the people are...I wonder...do you want copies? Should I start an old photo blog?
ReplyDeleteLinda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
What a heart warming story its like the fairtale. and you got to be part of it. Thanks for shareing. GW
ReplyDeleteThose are beautiful mittens!!
ReplyDeleteOMG....Hilton....smaller world than we think huh? Those mittens are beautiful. I'd love to be able to knit like that. What a gift. And now I hear "the rest of the story" about Abra and Iggy...I wondered about those 2 as they always had all this info and I wondered where they got it from. They're very talented!
ReplyDelete