I've posted a few times about finding treasures in the cleanout, many hidden amongst piles of rubbish and the final packup was no different. It was amazing finding things that had fallen behind wardrobes and bookcases years ago or were stashed in the back of a drawer or under a bed and never recovered. Given that I have been researching the family history since I was 16 years old, and have always been interested in my parents stories of their childhood, how some of these things were never mentioned, much less produced, escapes me. I think my parents had forgotten about many of these treasures themselves.
A couple of examples. The first
was found in a pile of other papers - many equally fascinating and
unseen before by me - hidden in the linen cupboard behind some old
sheets. Apparently my dad did some running while he was a lad at school -
this certificate below dates from 1935, and dad would have been 9 years
old at the time.
The
second was an even more unlikely find. It was only discovered when the
removalists were loading up my furniture to take it to the new house.
This colored print of my father was taken from a photograph from when he
enlisted in the Air Force, during World War 2. It is hand colored on
cardboard - and has spent who-knows-how-long lying behind a wardrobe in
my parents bedroom. Neither my sister or I can recall ever seeing it,
although we are both familiar with the photo from which it is taken, and
how or when it was created I have no idea.
While
I am grateful I have these treasures now, I would have loved to have
seen them when my parents were alive. There are so many questions I
have - and obviously stories I missed out on.
