documenting artifacts

I was on a photo shoot with Diane Linford this past week showing elderly ladies how to use shotbox to upload photos quickly and easily to their memories in family tree.  I mentioned it could also be used to take photos of 3 dimensional objects.

Artifacts can be great sources for stories.

Most of us tend to collect stuff - either because it is useful or sentimental.  When we die, so do all the memories of why we had what we had in the first place.

If you have a family heirloom that has been passed down for centuries, take a photo, write a description, explain why it is important to you.  If your descendants don't know the history behind an item, it will have little value to them.
(example: the doll cradle)

I have here a baby doll cradle.  The kids may recognize it as being the manger where baby Jesus lays at Christmastime.

Maybe Emma will recognize it from this photo.

See Emma.  See how cute and tiny she is in a baby doll cradle.

Why does Linnea have that doll cradle?

history of the doll cradle

Sarah Ellen Bittner was born June 15, 1873 in Brothersvalley Township, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. She had an older sister Susan (who died at age 3) and an older sister Minnie (who died at age 10). Her younger brothers Charles and Milton died at age 2 and 9, respectively while her older brother Elmer lived to be 17. Thus of her parents’ 7 children, only 2 lived to be adults: Sarah and her older brother Benjamin. When Sarah was a child she received a hand-made doll cradle. While we know the cherry or chestnut dresser she received for a wedding gift was made by her Uncle Zachary Bittner, it is unknown who made the cradle or at exactly what age she received it – though we assume she was a child because it is made to put doll babies in not real children. Sarah married just two months before her 18th birthday. She had 7 daughters and 2 sons (although her first son died before he was a month old and her second son was killed in a tragic car accident when he was 20.) Rather than give the doll cradle to one of her own daughters, Sarah decided to give it to her first granddaughter: Ethel Mae Filby (born Sep 28, 1914). Ethel decided to continue the tradition and did not give the doll cradle to her only daughter Susan, but instead her first granddaughter Linnea Ruth Huber inherited the cradle. Linnea is pictured here with the doll cradle (Christmas 1967) when she is one year old. Grandmother Ethel Jurvic is sitting behind her. In turn, Linnea gave birth to seven daughters and 2 sons – just like Sarah. But in keeping with tradition, Linnea is waiting to see who has the first granddaughter. (Heidi Lyn Tews born to AnnElyse.) Even though the cradle is meant for doll babies, Linnea couldn’t resist taking a picture of her own daughter in the cradle: Emma (2010). Note: Linnea made the bowl and pitcher used as props in that photo. They are not antiques.