Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Ancestors

Have you wondered why so many old photographs end up for sale in antique stores?  They are everywhere.  How did so many of them get away from the family?   Hopefully, most of them came from a photographer's own stash of copies of his work and were not tossed away by unappreciative descendants.  Many of them are tattered and have handwriting on the back with names and dates so that is not the case with all of them.  I wish I could purchase each one to save from destruction.

I remember a time when I was not a bit interested in long dead family members and their photos.  However, things have changed over the last 15 or 20 years for me.  I'm so glad I have these.  I hope my son keeps them long enough until he gets to the age to care about having them.  If the originals get away, I have them all scanned, high quality, backed up, electronic copy in bank safe deposit box - the works.

For those who are lucky enough to have these precious photos, please make the time to protect them (and your newer photos) from the worst.  One fire, tornado, flood, crashed hard drive can take them from us in a split second.  Get a scanner, learn how to use it, back up your hard drive, or pay someone to do it for you.  Think about it.  Enough preaching.  Please enjoy my ancestors.





12 comments:

Brenda Pruitt said...

Hi, I couldn't find your email address. Just wanted you to know that you've been featured at my weekly Welcome Wagon Friday post. You have a beautiful blog, and we welcome you to the neighborhood. You should receive visitors shortly!
Brenda@Cozy Little House

Tita Mama said...

I love going through the old photos at flea markets and have purchase a good many over the years. But, like you, it makes me sad when I think that family members have tossed their ancestors' photos in the give-away box.

Amy Burzese said...

Wow, Brenda. Thank you so much. I'm honored. You are right - I have received lots of visitors today. Everyone is so kind. I will thank you officially in my next blog. I don't know about the email address. I switched to Google plus recently and I haven't taken the time to figure out the differences yet. I've been somewhat cautious about my information since I'm new to the blogging world. I will look into it.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

It is sad to see all these lost family photos. I love the last picture in this post, I think I have one of my Mom that looks so much like that. I need to find my old photos and scan them, thanks for the reminder. Hugs, Linda

Mary Ann said...

Found your great blog through Brenda's, and it's so good. I, too, collect old photos, always afraid they will end up in the trash somewhere, and someone's relatives will go out with the dust.
I love yours.

Amy Burzese said...

I guess everyone has their own priorities. And, in some cases there is probably not any family. :(

Amy Burzese said...

Thank you, Linda. The last photo is my mother in about 1930. When I was a child, I had this photo placed in our small town newspaper. They had a "guess who" series. One of her best friends guessed who she was immediately. Anyway, too much info, I guess.

Amy Burzese said...

Mary Ann, thank you. I wish I could "Save the Photos".

Carla said...

Another one that found your blog through Brenda's. You have a nice site! I love old pictures as well and am doing some family research. I've met some 'new' family through the geneology sites and find-a-grave site of all places! but they are precious photos and I'm scanning them and then will leave them to one of the younger generation who is interested - and thank goodness my neice enjoys this too. Love the skull.

Sandy said...

Hello Alabama Amy! I discovered you while visiting Brenda at cozy cottage! I just love her her cozy little house! I've taken a look around at this blog and your photography blog and love what I see! Your photographs are stunning! There are so many beautiful shots you captured. Love the one of the cow.

I know what you mean about now being interested in family ancestry and old photographs. Ever since my mom passed away in January 2010 I've become very interested in learning more about my families heritage. I never got to meet my grandfather because he died at age 30 when my mom was five years old. I often wondered what he looked like. I was blessed to find so many photos of my ancestors and my grandfather was one of them. My mom and her family originated in Alabama. Many of them settled in Shelby county and Jefferson county Alabama. I hope to visit there one day.

~Sandy

Amy Burzese said...

Thank you, Sandy. How kind you are.

Amy Burzese said...

Carla, thanks for commenting. Genealogy is fun!