A Worn, Musty Trunk

In an old trunk in a garage, the daughter and her daughter open the parcel and found old pictures and old Swedish song books. The books have names in the front. The pictures are enlargements.

She emailed me about the find and we set up to meet at the house which she, her daughter, and her sister had been sorting, sorting, sorting. If you have sifted through the contents of a house and touch every item, then you can understand how it is an emotional process as well as a time honored process. It is a big job. They have done well. The next step is a sale followed by a pick up from a charitable organization, and then selling the house itself.

The two of us looked through a few of the boxes. The agreement was I would take the boxes of pictures back to Fargo, clean, scan, and mount. Both sisters warned me there were a lot of pictures. A low estimate is 1500; I may double that before I finish the count. It doesn't matter, I am after the history; I am willing to work the five boxes and get the information collected in such a way that everyone knows what is there. Pictures declared 'new' where twenty years old.

We had set aside the books and the boxes of pictures and went to the bedroom where there was a box of Oliver's stuff. Oliver was the oldest of the Henry Rye children. He was a bachelor and had his own collection of pictures. In Oliver's box where newspaper clippings of obituaries. Although many obits can be ordered from local libraries for a few dollars each, this are the freshly cut from the paper. They are the first editions.

We also found the books provided by the mortuary used to give the details of their life and the signatures of guests. I was given the books and added them to others I have gotten. As we know, genealogy offers clues and information in all places.

In a photo album started by the oldest sister, were hand written documents regarding each grandparent and parent, and herself. This information was written as SHE KNEW IT. The passing down of stories from one generation to another is not always factual. The handwritten note in itself is precious. It provides a guide to the different personalities of the family.

The greatest find of all on the scene, were letters Lloyd had written to his wife, Ella while she was in a hospital in southern Minnesota. When this love letter was written, they had four kids yet it was a loving letter written with hope and prayers for her wellness.

We all knew something disturbing had happened before Lloyd got sick in the early fall of 1967. Something had happened at work. The letter about that was found in a box in the bedroom yesterday. I sat with my mouth open as she read it. The letter was not mailed. Now we knew what had happened at work.

In pasting history together, look for those notes in books. Look for old trunks. Look for information with a different set of eyes. Although it is a passage to clean out a parent's house, allow yourself to reminisce about pieces you find. Although you may have numerous bowls already, handle the old one and let the memory of the bowl flash before you. If you can't take it home to your already bulging cupboards; then maybe you can recycle it with fresh fruit for a family. PLEASE don't fill it with red Jell-o with strawberries on top!

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