Cards sent by family

[CarolBurns]

We wish it was that simple to open a relationship with her - we (me, hubby and her son)think it is more out of guilt that she won't see us.

Something to do with hubby's Mum but we don't know what

Carol

[KathMc]

Carol,

That's a shame. Life is just too short.

Seeing these lovely cards, I wonder if I shouldnt' be saving the photo Christmas cards I get, at least for my family members. From now on I will put them in the appropriate genealogical folder or binder, properly labeled. 

Kath

[Linda_J]

Hi everyone

I recently realised that ordinary Christmas cards can also be a great resource. Mother hordes everything and we recently tried to persuade her to go through all the old Christmas cards and Birthday cards as well as Aniversary cards.

We found numerous notes written on the back of these, often from more distant rellies with comments like  "daughter just had twins, named etc etc".
All this has filled in some of the more recent generation of 2nd and 3rd cousins.

Linda

[KathMc]

Linda,

Excellent suggestion. It can be so hard to fill in the more recent generations. They seem less willing to give information. Another good resource is those old address books. My mom even has the one she used for her wedding 47 years ago and we have learned some great things from it.

Genealogy gives valid reasons to be a pack rat. 

Kath

[Treetotal]

I have one too...but the baby on the card isn't the same  baby who received it!
Hope this helps ~ Carol

[CarolBurns]

They are lovely Treetotal

I have another one but it is an embroidered one that hubby's Dad sent his parents when he first went off to fight.

My Dad also has a full album of them from some member of the family and I love looking at them.

Carol

[Treetotal]

Hi Carol...They are lovely keepsakes aren't they! ...and the messages on the back of them give good clues of rellies!
It looks like William has nicked Tina Turner's wig for his photo opportunity!

Caroltoo

[Michael72.]

I agree wholeheartedly about cards...especially when you can see things like their handwriting......

This is a card sent by my Grandma Rosa to her Brother and Sister, taken in 1915.....the little lad is my Uncle Leonard, the youngest (and last of five sons)...... .....She was 35 years old at the time....

Michael72.

[Majge]

I love these 'old cards' its just a shame some of them remain unnamed, it breaks my heart when I see the ones on ebay & theres no inscription on the back.
A distant cousin of my husband sent us one, we believe it may be my husbands Great Grandmother & a couple of his Great Aunts though nothing is conclusive.[
 Though I will agree with the others regarding contact, my husbands father died when my husband was only 4years old. we weren't aware that there was a younger brother of his late father. When I question my mother in law she confirmed that there was but none of the family had had any contact with him. She had no real explaination as to why. So after a chat with hubby, we looked up the electrol role & thankfully there were only 3 people with that name & wrote to all 3, had a lovely letter from one to say sorry he wasn't him, then a day later had an email to say that we'd found them! & we've been in contact ever since & they have welcomed us with open arms~the despute was basically a naff sibling one.
So I say go for it you've got nothing to lose but alot to gain 

goodluck