I’m weird, I know it. This just proves it.
While I was in Iowa last month, I had my 4th great-grandfather’s probate records copied at the local courthouse.
His papers were held together by this very old brad. The lady took it out and said she wasn’t going to put it back in, she’d just fold them back up instead. I grabbed the brad, because it had been on his records since his death in 1879. That’s a 132 year old brad.
Have you ever saved something that was kind of strange? Please tell me I’m not the only one.
I probably would have saved it, too, and felt completely foolish for doing so. I can’t tell you the thrill I get from holding an old family document and thinking about my ancestor holding it, too.
Your judgment is good – I’d have been all over this thing.
Okay, now you are talking to the woman who has two 125 year old hunks of concrete in her yard… (See this entry for a refresher: http://dee-burris.dreamwidth.org/55489.html)
Because they marked my ancestor’s graves before we got real stones installed…
Ha! Glad I’m not the only one with weird heirlooms.
Fantastic photo of the brad. I really like the way the photo captures the importance of an item that may look not look valuable at first glance.
You are definitely not alone. I’d have grabbed it too. Now you need to put a note with it telling the story so someone else doesn’t toss it! At 132 years, it’s too old for your descendants to toss.
You’re right Michelle!! I definitely need to label it or it will end up in the trash….