We moved so much that pretty much nothing survived. I sometimes wonder where this or that beloved or hard won thing of my own ended up, hoping that someone loved it for at least a little while. The Breyer horses I scrimped and saved for, the Playday trophies, my saddle, my paintings and other art projects. I do have an old popup Singer sewing machine and a small occasional table from my grandmother.
The difference between heirlooms and hand-me-downs is that one category would be sold in an antique store while the other at a garage sale. I’m afraid I’ve gotten the garage sale variety.
@PlacidPenguin Yeah. I’m the sixth generation to have it. One of my few memories of my great grandmother was learning how to fix the binding. There’s a few family stories linked to it.
Out of curiosity, what year is it from? (You don’t have to answer if you feel that I could figure out your age using averages for each generation as well as a few other statistics. )
I wish I could be around many generations from now to hear how ‘hard fought’ the epic battles were for all of my kids participation trophies…
I’m sure they will be heirlooms some day. Meh.
My Mom and Dad received a model ship with a clock for their wedding. I’ve wanted it forever and she finally gave it to me. It still works!
/image sailing ship clock
This is the actual picture! Thanks Google!!!
On the thread about @Thumperchick sewing, several commented they still had machines in boxes. I had my grandmother’s Singer in a wood furniture table (pop up like @moondrake’s?) for about 15 years. It pretty much sat in a corner like a table with things on top. I finally couldn’t take it anymore (my not making time to use it so it was feeling unloved) and donated it while getting ready to move about 10 years ago, hoping it would find a good home. I still miss it and my own missed opportunity to (re-)learn to sew.
No family heirlooms here. Moving 3,000 miles away as soon as you turn 19 really relinquishes you from responsibilities. I am a better junk-free man because of it.
We just got a photo album my great-aunt had that had pictures of her grandparents (my great-great-grandparents) and their children. My great-great-grandparents both immigrated from Germany but IIRC met and married here in the US.
My great-aunt was the last of her generation of cousins in that branch of the family. She passed away in January at the age of 99.
Most of mine are family photographs. The earliest one is a portrait of my Grandmothers family taken in Belfast in 1910 when she was 3 years old. My great grandfather worked at Harland & Wolff building the Titanic and Olympic.
We have a few ‘family pieces’ from my wife’s fam. Most of the antiques we got rid of long ago since I don’t really have a place for items I can’t actually USE and/or put my feet on.
Stuff from my side is mostly photographs, since my parents immigrated to the US in the early 50’s.
We moved so much that pretty much nothing survived. I sometimes wonder where this or that beloved or hard won thing of my own ended up, hoping that someone loved it for at least a little while. The Breyer horses I scrimped and saved for, the Playday trophies, my saddle, my paintings and other art projects. I do have an old popup Singer sewing machine and a small occasional table from my grandmother.
The difference between heirlooms and hand-me-downs is that one category would be sold in an antique store while the other at a garage sale. I’m afraid I’ve gotten the garage sale variety.
Well if you count the Patek that you don’t own, but merely look after for your douchebag son . . .
@hammi99
If someone doesn’t want to continue doing that, I’ll take it off their hands for $5 and a bent paperclip.
A dictionary, two cardigans, and The Tie Clip. Used to have a black powder rifle, but it was stolen.
@simplersimon
A dictionary?
And just for fun:
@PlacidPenguin Yeah. I’m the sixth generation to have it. One of my few memories of my great grandmother was learning how to fix the binding. There’s a few family stories linked to it.
@simplersimon
Out of curiosity, what year is it from? (You don’t have to answer if you feel that I could figure out your age using averages for each generation as well as a few other statistics.
)
@PlacidPenguin Not sure. Based on stories and ages, I’d guess 1880’s or 90’s. I may have to look into this more.
All the crap I buy from meh will be passed down.
@Ignorant especially the speaker dock. That thing was useless when I got it, so what does it matter if it is useless for the next generation or two.
I wish I could be around many generations from now to hear how ‘hard fought’ the epic battles were for all of my kids participation trophies…
I’m sure they will be heirlooms some day. Meh.
@ldibble
I have 6 trophies. Several of them were given to all participants.
…
Actually, almost all of them were given to all participants.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
@PlacidPenguin and yet, somehow, you wound up with them.
I got a trophy too! Here’s a pic.
My Mom and Dad received a model ship with a clock for their wedding. I’ve wanted it forever and she finally gave it to me. It still works!
/image sailing ship clock
This is the actual picture! Thanks Google!!!
@looseneck that is awesome
@CaptAmehrican They don’t make things like they used to. It’s over 50 years old and the lights even work
@looseneck that’s what she said
@looseneck I got nearly the exact same ship from my sister…
@hornj No shit! I just looked on ebay - it’s only going for $20. I don’t care though, I love it and am not going to sell.
@looseneck I am completely jealous of your pirate ship clock i totaly want it!
@hmclynch87 Keep your hands off! I just got it myself. I’ll put you in my will
@hmclynch87 There’s always ebay…
The men in my family never had much heir so there was little need for a loom.
On the thread about @Thumperchick sewing, several commented they still had machines in boxes. I had my grandmother’s Singer in a wood furniture table (pop up like @moondrake’s?) for about 15 years. It pretty much sat in a corner like a table with things on top. I finally couldn’t take it anymore (my not making time to use it so it was feeling unloved) and donated it while getting ready to move about 10 years ago, hoping it would find a good home. I still miss it and my own missed opportunity to (re-)learn to sew.
No family heirlooms here. Moving 3,000 miles away as soon as you turn 19 really relinquishes you from responsibilities. I am a better junk-free man because of it.
We have a pinball machine to pass along to the kids and grandkids when the time comes. But not now. Right now it is very much ours.
We just got a photo album my great-aunt had that had pictures of her grandparents (my great-great-grandparents) and their children. My great-great-grandparents both immigrated from Germany but IIRC met and married here in the US.
My great-aunt was the last of her generation of cousins in that branch of the family. She passed away in January at the age of 99.
Most of mine are family photographs. The earliest one is a portrait of my Grandmothers family taken in Belfast in 1910 when she was 3 years old. My great grandfather worked at Harland & Wolff building the Titanic and Olympic.
Just a photo of my great grandfather with Albert Einstein. They look amazingly alike.
/image hair loom
I have my grandmother’s chamber pot. And remember using it when I stayed with her. She was born in 1887.
@pooflady
Woah. I think your grandparents were born enough before mine.
I’ll have to check.
Mostly pictures, but I have the flag that covered my paternal Grandfather’s coffin and was presented to Grandmother; he was a World War 1 veteran.
@duodec Wow… how many stars on it?
We have a few ‘family pieces’ from my wife’s fam. Most of the antiques we got rid of long ago since I don’t really have a place for items I can’t actually USE and/or put my feet on.
Stuff from my side is mostly photographs, since my parents immigrated to the US in the early 50’s.