Our Treasured Belongings: Ties That Bind

Family history and kin keeping… We are all building family history through special events and everyday living. Every household has family treasures. The passing of these treasured items from one generation to another is part of a process called ‘kin keeping’. These items provide a sense of belonging and roots to family members.

Family history and kin keeping... We can share family history through: –Family gatherings and special events. –Use and display of items in home. –Telling of stories and events about treasured items to other family members. Have other family members assist in giving recommended care to keepsakes. Get them actively involved.

Strong families create strong bonds… Strong, healthy families help create a strong, healthy society. Families have important tasks. –Teach children values and morals that guide their lives. –Give care and comfort for dependent family members. –Provide love and emotional support to all members of immediate and extended family unit.

Families come in many forms… How would you describe a family in today’s world? –Single parent. –Blended. –Extended. –Dual-income. How would you describe family life in today’s world? –Pace of living. –Remain in community versus travel and living throughout country/world. What is a ‘traditional’ family?

Establishing traditions… Every family member should make an effort to practice the art of kin keeping. Traditions are important to both children and adults because the world around us is constantly changing. Rituals and traditions should be a part of every family and are an important part of kin keeping.

Traditions are important… Traditions have far-reaching impacts! –Educate young and old alike. –Place value on significant events. –Provide strong sense of belonging and self- worth. Traditions give an understanding of those before and around us.

Today’s challenges… Establishing or continuing traditions can be challenging for today’s families. As families change, rituals and traditions may need to be modified, dropped, or added to meet current needs. Are women still the traditional keepers of our domestic history? What changes are often made in family traditions?

Kin keeping and cherished possessions… Possessions from ancestors serve as a connection to the past. These objects are cared for, cherished, and passed on to future generations. These items become our “family keepsakes”.

Holding on to family treasures… Why are some possessions more meaningful to us than others? –Many of these cherished items are a part of family traditions. –They help to give a sense of who we are. –They provide visual reminders of our family. –They bring back memories of people and experiences that have meaning to us. –They help us “keep our feet on the ground.”

Family treasures provide a link… Children generally like action objects. Adults generally cherish objects such as photos, furniture, or books. Both monetarily valuable and emotionally relevant items grow in meaning and bring generations together.

Kin keeping and cherished possessions… The years of caring for our treasures, wearing them, airing them, dusting them, moving them from one drawer to another, from one family member’s home to another only make them more priceless.

Types of keepsakes… A keepsake is something kept as a memento, a reminder, or for sentimental value. A keepsake may also be an heirloom, collectible, antique, reproduction, or other object.

Types of keepsakes… An heirloom is a piece of personal property owned by a family for several generations. It may have monetary or sentimental value. Heirlooms are often a part of family traditions and allow stories to be passed from one generation to the next.

Types of keepsakes… A collectible is an object other than traditional collectible items (art, coins, stamps, antiques). They are usually from the Machine Age and are curiosities of the past. They usually can no longer be purchased new. They may often be called “old things” or “future antiques.”

Types of keepsakes… An antique is generally considered as: –Something 100 years old or older. –Having a handmade quality with one-of-a- kind characteristics. –Having some historical or cultural value. An antique often dates back prior to the Industrial Revolution (1830) and mass production.

Protecting family keepsakes… Our responsibility includes: Understanding the value of the items. Using recommended storage, display, and cleaning techniques. Safeguarding them against natural disasters and theft. Keeping records and inventories for any needed insurance claims or legal actions. Keeping written records and stories about significant items. Providing information for passing on items to other people (wills, verbal agreements, etc.)

Decisions, decisions, decisions… How do you decide what to keep and when do you do this? –Made after a death in the family? –Downsizing at retirement? –Combining households? –Moving from one house to another? –Too many boxes of “things” waiting to be sorted through?

Decisions, decisions, decisions… Making decisions on what to keep: –Where do you start? –What do you save? –What do you give away? –How do you make the decisions? Family members may differ in what is important and valuable to them. All members must be part of the process.

Process used by museum experts… Museums also have limited space, money, and staff. Don’t feel obligated to save all items but decide on those that are most important to preserve. Most museums have to rank objects in their collections. You can, too. Start by making a list of all items that you would consider a collectible or family keepsake.

Process used by museum experts… Look over your list of family keepsakes and select ten items that are of most importance to you. Questions to consider: –What would you rescue first if you needed to leave your home quickly? –What would you most regret losing through a disaster? –What do you consider most valuable as heritage touchstones both for you and your family?

Process used by museum experts… Consider the following when ranking your top ten items: –Who. Who owned it, made it, or gave it to you? To whom would you leave it? –What. What is its value (monetary or emotional)? –When. When was it made? When did you acquire it? –Where. Where did it come from? Are there special markings or history to it?

Top ten list of treasures… This top ten list provides a priority plan for safeguarding and enjoying those things that are most important to you. –Learn how best to care for and preserve them. –Make these items a part of your life. Use them and display them. Enjoy them. Enrich your life with them. –Allocate time and costs to their preservation.

Heritage Touchstones… Casual collecting of keepsakes can result in an accumulation of meaningless objects. Think instead of items related to values, traditions, joys, and accomplishments. Learn all you can about these items. Pass along history and stories of these keepsakes to others.

Guidelines for caring for keepsakes… Use acid-free, durable materials for storing and packing treasured possessions. Tape and permanent adhesives can damage keepsakes. Read directions and ask questions. Identify people and places in photos when possible. (Don’t write directly on photos.) Enjoy photos, but handle them carefully.

Guidelines for caring for keepsakes… Sunlight, heat, and humidity damages items. (Most household items enjoy the same environment that humans do.) Protect items from insect and rodent damage. Some plastics may be chemically unstable with vapors that may cause damage. (Use acid-free, archival materials for precious items.) Bubble wrap has air pockets that contain gases that can leak out and damage colored surfaces.

Guidelines for caring for keepsakes… Newspaper ink can transfer onto other surfaces. –Don’t use newspapers for storing and packing items. –Store newspaper clippings in clear sleeves and store flat, away from sunlight.

Guidelines for caring for keepsakes… Plastic bags and hard plastic storage boxes don’t allow air movement and may trap moisture. Use archival boxes for precious keepsakes. Use 100 percent cotton (washed muslin) for storing certain keepsakes, such as cloth items.

Guidelines for caring for keepsakes… Attics, garages, and basements are not good places to store keepsakes. –Changing temperatures and humidity levels cause problems. –Use closet storage when items are not on display.

Treasured belongings and traditions… Kin keeping, traditions, and keepsakes of all kinds are a part of our heritage. We need to provide proper care, and pass along the visible, tangible, and intangible keepsakes to future generations. The history of these items and stories need to be passed along as well. Be a kin keeper by treasuring these special belongings.

Treasured belongings and traditions… Thinking about, seeing, and touching these items become touchstones in your life as well as the lives of others. Don’t procrastinate!

Our Treasured Belongings: Ties That Bind Linda R. Adler, M.A. Extension Specialist For Home Furnishings February 2008 Copyright 2008 for materials developed by University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. This publication may be reproduced in portions or its entirety for educational or nonprofit purposes only. Permitted users shall give credit to the author(s) and include this copyright notice. Publications are also available at Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.