26 Comments
User's avatar
Jennifer Jones's avatar

What a great description Jane. It must mean so much to you to finally know more about this precious box.

Jane Chapman's avatar

I still don't know how it came to be in the family but its good to know a little about the type of box it is and where it may have originated.

Nate Douglas's avatar

What I loved most is how this quietly reframes legacy. Not as inheritance, but as custody. We’re not owners of these things. We’re temporary witnesses, holding them long enough to pass the signal forward.

Every family has a box like this. Most just don’t realize what they’re looking at yet.

Jane Chapman's avatar

Thanks, Nate. Yes you are right. My husband and I are only the current custodians. I am hoping that, one day, one of my children will take custody.

Peter Anthony's avatar

What a wonderful series this promises to be. I was especially struck by the story of Emma, who was widowed so young with two small children and then had to rebuild her life under such difficult circumstances. It is remarkable how she carried on, remarried, raised her family, and remained connected to them through numerous changes in place. These are the kinds of stories that remind us of the strength and determination often hidden behind old family photos and documents. I look forward to seeing what else emerges from the treasure box as you share more of these lives with us.

Jane Chapman's avatar

Thank Peter. I consider myself lucky to have quite a few stories and artefacts from my husband's family. They are fabulous prompts for writing about family members and other associated people.

MelRootsNWrites's avatar

I can't wait to see what's in the box!

Barbara at Projectkin's avatar

I’m so inspired now to create a treasure box for my descendants including artifacts from my ancestors. Such a lovely idea!

Jane Chapman's avatar

Despite being the very lucky recipient of a treasure box myself, I hadn't thought to put together a physical treasure box for descendents. I suppose the family history archive I am building is in its own way a treasure box - a digital one!

Paul Chiddicks's avatar

What an amazing treasure trove to inherit Jane, absolutely wonderful

Jane Chapman's avatar

Thanks Paul. Yes I am very fortunate.

DearMYRTLE's avatar

Good heavens! The photos you’ve shared in this post are a genealogist's dream come true. That more treasurers await to be shared is amazing.

Great job on the narratives and providing citations as appropriate.

Lynda Heines's avatar

What a treasure you have!

Jenny MacKay's avatar

The box looks interesting, even without the contents. I bet there's some treasures in there. I received a box of goodies when my grandmother died in 1989. The box was plain cardboard, not as elaborate as yours. 30+ years ago, I'm still solving the mysteries in some of the letters.

Jane Chapman's avatar

Yes. Lots to explore.

Cynthia Boatright Raleigh's avatar

That is a box of pure magic!

Jane Chapman's avatar

It is! I have explored a few but more to go!

Cynthia Boatright Raleigh's avatar

Something that amazing you don't want to do all at once. I'd want to enjoy it as long as possible.

Kyla Bayang's avatar

How very amazing! Looking forward to the series expanding, what a great way to both add to your research and keep us engaged as you pull them out! And I especially studied your very thorough source writing techniques, thank you for the care and time you took to write all those so clearly!

Jane Chapman's avatar

Thank you Kyla.

Carmel’s Corner's avatar

What a great treasure to have. I love the photos of the three generations, both younger and older, quite unique I would think.

Jane Chapman's avatar

Yes I am fortunate to have gotten these from my mother-in-law

Bill Moore's avatar

That is a real treasure box. I’ll be looking forward to seeing what else you will find.

Lisa Maguire's avatar

Me too!