I've got so many Precious Things in our house; it's difficult to choose which to share. But this time around I decided to go with a bit of family history. Of course, everyone's family history is interesting and fascinating to them in particular and ours is no different. Parts of it are well-known, other parts are sketchy and some are missing completely.
I've long been intrigued by genealogy (and enjoy watching the odd episode of 'Who Do You Think You Are?'), and when part of your family history is missing for one reason or another it makes you even more curious.
I would love to find out exactly what happened to my maternal grandfather's family in Poland but from what I can gather it's a tragic story as they disappeared without trace when the Communists took over. Our story since then is almost fully accounted for but there are a few murky areas to explore. Whether that will ever happen, I'm not sure.
I do know that after the war my grandparents were unable to return to Poland. They came to England (Norfolk) then moved to New York for a while before finally settling back here in the North West.
The medals used to hang in an extremely heavy gilt frame in their front room which explains why the ribbons are so faded. My mum gave me the army paybooks and the buttons from my grandad's uniform. They're very Precious Things; my grandad passed away when I was young and I remember him only vaguely. I know he was an officer; that his family were classed as nobility and that he fought at Monte Cassino. Apparently one of these medals is Poland's equivalent of the Victoria Cross.
I'm not a big fan of militaria or medals but these are special because they illustrate part of my family history.
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If you'd like to read more Precious Things posts, please visit my fellow bloggers:
Leanne at Today's Stuff
Bea at The Linen Cloud
CJ at Above the River
This will be the last monthly Precious Things collaboration, but if you'd like to post about any of your Precious Things I'd love to know about your treasures! And this isn't the end - I'll still add the odd one now and then as I really enjoy writing about them.
precious precious memorabilia, I went all goosebumpy looking at the things in the photo, especially the red poland badge. I also have my fathers medals from the war. Very special memories there!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are lovely, all that history in one place! It's intriguing when you research family history and a lovely thing to pass on to your little boy (when he's bigger!!). Sarah
ReplyDeleteHello Sarah, found my way here from CJ's blog 'Above the river', just like to say you have a great blog here and I hope that you don't mind if I tag along for awhile.
ReplyDeleteJohn
Hi John - nice to meet you. And of course I don't mind. You also happen to be my first male commenter!
DeleteSarah.
Bugger! I'll have to watch me Anglo Saxon then!!!!
DeleteWhat evocative and moving treasures, I can see why they are precious to you and your family. You have photographed it all very beautifully. It would be lovely to know a little more of the stories of your grandparents wouldn't it. Family history is fascinating. I've just put together an album of photos from my partner's family, but unfortunately no-one really knows who a lots of the people are now, it's such a shame. I don't have anything like this, but I can imagine how wonderful it is to have such things passed on and treasured. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteThese things are very precious indeed.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful family history Sarah. And so special to have the medals, buttons and paybooks to pass on to Joe. I am sure he will be fascinated by them soon. I do hope you get the chance to fill in the blanks that have kept you wondering, Bee xx
ReplyDeleteHey Sarah,
ReplyDeleteWhenever I see any family war memorabilia, I think how brave these ordinary young men and women were to take part in conflicts that were not of their making. My Mum's Dad fought in the jungles of Burma, and she has a very battered photo of him in jungle fatigues. It must have been a world away from the slums of Bristol.
So very precious. Thank you for sharing them.
Leanne xx
What a lovely precious selection of your family history. x
ReplyDeleteFascinating. We are all so similar and yet so different. You have set me wondering about what my precious things might be. I blogged a few months ago about what I would take with me if I ever had to set off on a new life as a pioneer or an emigrant but maybe simply looking at what is precious to me would produce a slightly different answer. Interesting thought.
ReplyDeleteThese are certainly things to treasure.
ReplyDeleteThey are indeed precious, it's sad there are these gaps, but I'm glad you value what bits of your history you have :) xxx
ReplyDeleteThese are especially wonderful precious things as they really are such a part of you and your families past. It is sad that you have gaps in the history that you cannot fill, but I am sure that you will make many more wonderful moments for the future. These things that you have really are treasures and show the difference between treasures and valuables. xx
ReplyDeleteFamily is the most precious thing of all and I treasure mine and all there wares fiercely. I hope you fill in the gaps one day. x
ReplyDeleteI'm really interested in things like this. You're so fortunate to have these pieces of family and world history. I'm sorry to hear about the gaps but I know you will fill them.
ReplyDeleteThere are many gaps in our family history on both sides. Mostly down to poor record keeping, changing names to "fit in", immigration and wars! It's fascinating when you actually can make a connection with the past. such precious things to hold on to. xx
ReplyDelete