Ancestors in the Attic: Making Family Memorabilia into History

Description

Much family history focuses on digging around archives and web searches. This book shows that our lofts and cupboards can often hide a treasure trove of personal documents and ephemera too.

Boxes full of photographs, hastily written notes, old tickets, postcards, ration books, a soldier's hat, a bundle of letters, perhaps a diary - all are invaluable sources of information about our family history. These are crucial in piecing together the everyday lives of our ancestors, exposing secrets and understanding family relationships. You might discover favourite family recipes and information about a relative's school days, or reconstruct a Victorian family holiday.

In this fascinating and original book, Karen Foy guides the reader through 200 years of different types of memorabilia, showing you how to interpret and use ephemera to enhance your understanding of your own family history.