Years ago my Father gave me my Great Grandmother’s Trunk to keep for the family. It was full of letters, cards, clothes, postcards, newspaper clippings and photos dating back to the late 1700’s. What a treat this was for someone who loves old photographs and antiques. I spent an entire winter reading, scanning, and cataloging the contents of Grandma’s Trunk. I couldn’t put it down.
I didn’t know this Great Grandmother very well, but I sure do now. Born in 1896, she was a loving, generous person who saw a lot in her 83 years.
At around age 6 Grandma moved with her family to a small town in Kansas so that her Father could work for the growing railroad. Her parents purchased a little house next door in 1907. Soon after Grandma was married she and her new husband moved in to the little house. Their first son soon followed.
Grandma spent most of her life in this little house. If Grandma left her house to go on a trip she would notify the police and ask them to check on things while she was gone. When she returned she always made a big meal and took it to the police station. Never entered her mind that they might not have driven by. She was also known to make a big meal for the men that were working on the street in front of her house. Although she didn’t have a lot of money, Grandma was just that kind of person.
Grandma’s Trunk not only taught me more about Grandma, but of the family tree and the small town she loved and spent most of her life in.
Grandma left the little house to her youngest son, (my grandfather) then it went to my Father. Grandma’s Trunk spoke to me so profoundly that I bought the little house from my Father, just three weeks before what would have been Grandma’s 111th birthday. The little house had been empty for many years. My Mother and her cousin worked very hard to make the house livable again and they live there now. I am so proud to be able to keep Grandma’s little house and Grandma’s Trunk for the family. I hope Grandma is too.
I believe I will end this post as Grandma always ended her journal entries.
“Good Night Dear Friends Wherever You Are Tonight”
You have done a super job..
Thank you Linda. 🙂
I have read your story and want to tell you what a treasure you have. I dont have a trunk but I have always been the family “Pack Rat”- -that is what I have been caled?? I am 85 yrs. and my genealogy research is done??,but now I am putting pictures to the names. What a joy.
I just want to tell you what a beautiful web-site,nd how proud you must be.
I will put on my favorates list, and wate for more of the stor y about grandmas trunk. – – –
gene, grandmother of 10,mother of 3, gr-grandmother of 6(and growing),and one hubby of 64yrs.
Thank you so much Gene. Means a lot coming from a fellow “Pack Rat”. 🙂 I bet you have some very interesting photos and stories yourself. Wow, married 64 years. I thought I was doing good with my recent 30. I do intend to post more about Grandma’s Trunk as time permits.