And that may be the problem. You might be able to name it but how
much do you know about it. If you made it, usually no problem, but if
it's from a past generation, it may not be that simple. Generally, our
forebears gave little thought, if any, to an intergenerational
communication that would accompany one of their possessions into the
future. To the original owner, the Thing might have been for everyday
use around the house, barn, shop, wherever. Nevertheless, such Things
do acquire uniqueness over time, and even if no longer of practical use,
they represent an individual's, a family's, or a community's history and
perhaps, grandeur.
Cataloging an heirloom rediscovers and records the past and, through the
memories of you and others, builds another bridge from the past to the
present. Family history and tradition are enhanced by facts that emerge
in what you can recall from way back when.
Elements to consider in cataloging an heirloom:
The Thing: What it is, and what it's made of. Look at and feel the
watchamacallit if it lets you. Record what you see, feel, smell, hear, taste
(watch that last one), and otherwise sense.
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