I was going through an old deed box this week. In it were some bank and tax records, dating from as far back as the 1800s, from the family of a great-aunt by marriage. She and my great-uncle had no children, so my mother 'inherited' a lot of their household items, and somehow I ended up with this box. It was somewhat interesting to see what the notice, and subsequent conclusion, of an IRS tax audit from the early 1900s looked like. (Incidentally, after the audit the IRS refunded $34 that had been overpaid by this individual.) What does one do with this stuff? It surely has no relevance for anyone, but its history...
Also in the box were lots and lots of canceled stamps torn off from the corner of their envelopes. One of which caught my attention with its very appropriate message for today...a three cent stamp from 1934 'in memory and in honor of the mothers of America'.
As long as I can remember, my mother would say, "You'll have fun going through all this stuff someday." Hmmm... So I imagine her patting my shoulder as I slide the box, with all of its content, back on the shelf. I guess I do it in memory and honor of her. (Note to daughter: you can dispose of of all this one day. I promise not to haunt you. I cannot, however, promise that your grandmother won't.)
Happy Mother's Day to all mothers around the world today!
You might contact the local historical society where this person lived as sometimes they are interested in having info on daily lives of local residents.
ReplyDeleteThank you! That’s a great idea. :)
DeleteI hope that you hang on to some of the items for family. At the very least make some photo collages.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.