Join Me, Please, In Chatting About Why History is Important

[Linda Alexander]

I've always been fascinted by life stories, particularly about the stories of people who have lived before me. In the human mind, it's sometimes hard to wrap one's comprehension around the reality that 100, 200, or more years ago, people lived, loved, hated, worked, bore children, cried, ate, sweat, laughed, hurt, hurt each other, helped each other, created, tore down, entertained -- and every other possible single, or combination of, action/actions that you, or I have ever done, or ever thought of doing. It's all been done before. Down through the generations. Doesn't that amaze you even the least little bit? Do you have any fantastic stories about someone in history? Have you ever bought something at an antique store that you just could NOT put down? Did you ever wonder why? Ever wonder whose hands touched that item, what they did with it, what sorts of lives they led?

Tell us about it!

[AngelaBetts]

Something I enjoyed reading years ago was the book about our 21 acres that recorded the history of our parcel of land (can't remember what you call that book) through property sales, last wills and testaments, etc.

One entry in particular was fascinating because one of the previous property owners from the mid-1800's had stated in his will something to the effect of leaving so much money to care for one of his daughter's if someone else didn't hurry up and take her before he was gone. I can't remember the exact words, but it made me feel bad for her because it sounded like her Father wasn't too happy with the possibility of her being an "old maid".

Certainly made me think about how fortunate women are today and how far we've come since those days.

[Bea Kunz]

Hi Linda,

Love this site, can't believe I'm just now finding it. The things that go on right under my nose is just amazing.

I'm totally devoted to history, anything and everything. I believe the answer to all of our questions are back there in some time, some place.

I feel we are made up of little jigsaw sections of history.

I've been a dealer in antiques for many, many years. I am always drawn to old photographs, so many have no clue as to name, place, standing in life, etc.
Even so, one can learn a lot from a photograph just by studying the face, the clothing, the hair.
I've often wondered why photo's before the mid 1900's, were never of happy or smiling faces.

So I did some research into this. I came away with more than one reason, all of which make perfect sense to me.
One...as a rule, people were hard and strict...life was hard for most, people were old at a very young age in most cases. And...it just wasn't proper to be openly happy in front of outsiders.

Second....dental options were very few and most, either had bad teeth or no teeth, missing teeth etc.
~~

I purchased an old bag of junk jewelry about 5 years ago....for 50 cents.
I deal in antique jewelry and you just never know what you might find.

Came home and dumped it out, flipping through the beads, broken and damaged parts of many things.
But there in the very bottom of the bag was a beautiful Lord Elgin mens wrist watch.
To my total amazement, it was all in perfect condition.

The band and all it's visible parts are 14K gold, the watch was a retirement gift obviously .
It's engraved on the back to a man who worked there from 2/18/29 through 12/31/54.

On the back of each link is USA..engraved.

Inside the dial is the beautiful Fisher Motors emblem...the coach.

I have tried unsuccessfully to find a relative of this man.

It's a beautiful treasure and I can't imagin how it became a lost one.

I can't bring myself to sell it, although it is valued at a high market price.

Those are my two most interesting and loved stories.

So glad to be here~

Bea Kunz