Genealogy Chat

My Grandparents all died when I was relatively young - the first one going when I was only 3 and that being on Christmas day - but I am lucky that my mother managed to get hold of a lot of family photos which I now have. I have also got family medals, some original birth and death certs along with in memoriam cards for g grandparents. Among the other things I have are my other grandfather's indenture papers for when he joined the printers Oddhams and I managed to get hold of my nan's wedding ring, when my g aunt died I was left some money so I went and bought myself a 3 stone diamond ring to remind me of her.

Hello Chris Often wondered how much they could be worth, not selling though !!! Elaine

I don't have anything really either. My grandparents didn't have much to leave... I saw the Cash in the Attic programme too, and the people were originally selling all the wonderful stuff to pay for the redecoration of a few bedrooms and to sort out the garden! Then when they realised how valuable things were, they decided to forget the garden and head off to Florida! The lady did say she was a little upset about all of her history being sold... only when it was going for less than anticipated though! Cheryl :o)

Elaine Grandmother could have left you more than you thought. Cigarette Cards are worth a small fortune nowadays. As a guide.....Back in 1982 I bought a set (Dad is a collector and we were always at the London Auctions....He chose my purchase) for £3.50. Now worth more than £100. Chris

I suppose we all put different values on different things. My Mum always used to pass things from the family on to me because my sister used to say she 'didn't want to hoard rubbish'. strange though because she accepted a picture from my Dad (don't know who he had it from) that had been valued at £1000, she hasn't sold it yet. And also one of a pair (I had the other) of antique dining chairs that belonged to our aunt. I have got lots of bits and pieces though I am pleased to say. Knives that were my Gt grandfather's, lace made by one of my Gt Grandmothers, plates and jewellery from aunts and jewellery from my grandmother and my Mum. Wedding present dinner plates etc of my Mum and dad's and a letter written to my gt gt Grandmother from her employer, a letter inviting my grandmother for a job interview in the very early 1900s and loads of photos. I would never even consider selling any of it. Ann Glos

I don't have much but I do have my nan's knitting needles in a bag I believe she made. I couldn't part with them, just wish I had more of her bits from her house. We were all very young when she died and we were told we could take something to remember her by, so I have that and a Wills Cigarette book about Kings and Queen of England! Elaine

I have nothing of my g.grandparents, they died well before I was born. I had a few bits and pieces from my grandparents, but unfortunately these got stolen when my house was burgled. I was more upset that I had lost these items than anything else. When I see these people selling off treasures like that it makes me want to scream too. Sue

I nothing of my families stuff as when the great grandparents immigrated to Oz they literately left everything behind. I'm lucky if I have one photo. Anything before 1921 just doesn't exist. Then you get people get sell off the family history its so upsetting. Regards, Heather

When my nan died in the early 1960s, each of the grandchildren were asked to take one thing to remember nan and granddad by. There was nothing of value, just odds and ends. I chose the mirror that always hung over the fireplace, it was hung so that it tilted down, and as I child I would dress up and dance in front of it. The glass is very marked so i do not have it hanging up in the house, BUT, it is packed in cardboard and is in the attic. My daughter knows where it is and as and when anything happens to me, it will be hers. Kathlyn

That's a possibilty PP but there's nothing of any great value. Will give it some thought though. Of course there's always the house - now wouldn't some nephew or niece be mad if that went into the charity pot!!!

Purple Lady If you have no family who would appreciate and value your heirlooms, do you have a local museum you could leave them to?

Whenever I see one of these progammes where people sell off the things they have inherited I get really annoyed. We've spent hours wondering who to leave things to (we lost our only son) but in the end I'm mindful to leave the bl***y lot to charity!! I don't see why I should finance anyone's holiday - that's all they seem to sell them for. My most treasured possession is a figure that belonged to my grandma.

If she ever decides to take up genealogy, she'll be kicking herself for selling those things!

Why do people sell things like that ? to go to disney ugh, therehistory has gone with it, I havent any photos of g/grandparents or any heirlooms ,its so sad to sell these things on atrip that wil have gone ina couple of weeks, There thats my moan finished

Couldn't agree more - I have a few bits and pieces that belonged to grandparents, but only a couple of photo's beyond that. But on my partners side, I have a wonderful little wooden box and some hand made lace-making bobbins that either his great or great-great grandfather made. Absolutely priceless!! Looby

I have just had a screaming match with the TV. No I am not loosing it, but I could well have committed murder if I could have got hold of the woman...... The TV programme, Cash in the Attic, had a woman who seemed 'well heeled' and wanted to sell some bits and pieces so as to take her, very well spoken children, to Dizney, Paris. Amongs her 'treasure' was her great grandfathers tool box. It was a beautiful box and complete with all the tools, I would think that great grandad had even made the box. She was prepared to sell it for a few ££££. Oh, to have had such a treasure. All I have of my great grandparents are a few faded photos and equally my childhood memories of them. Feeeeewweeeee...I feel better now for getting that off my chest. Kathlyn