Treasure Hunt Challenge Round-Up: Just Look What We Found in Our Cupboards & Closets & Boxes!

Treasures abound from the Treasure Hunt Challenge posted at The Family Curator in mid-September. Congratulations to the brave adventurers who accepted the challenge, and then went on to follow their maps and “dig” for buried treasure.

It has been encouraging to know that many family historians and genealogists share a common obstacle – a certain closet, box, or cupboard that just refuses to yield all its secrets. It’s the one place to stash something special, but it can also be the one place forgotten when we go looking for that gem again. Thank you for joining me, hunters, and especially for sharing your treasure tales will all of us.

Some hunters were so eager to find a treasure that they completed their quest before the ink was dry on their maps!

Hats off to First Responder, Wendy Littrell at All My Branches Genealogy who found a box of treasures right before her very eyes – on her vanity! She tells more about her discovery and shares photographs in “X Marks the Spot.” I think we must all wish we had a box like yours, Wendy.

Coming in a close second, Midge Frazel at Granite in My Blood not only FOUND Treasure, she presents a model Archival Treasure Chest complete with supply sources, photographs, and evaluation in “Treasure Chest.” I discovered a new archival resource from her post, and a reminder to preserve, preserve, preserve. Thanks, Midge.

Tucked away on a closet shelf, footnoteMaven found an archival box with a treasure saved for “another day.” We are delighted that the day is here and we can share in your discovery, fM. She introduces the treasure in a note “The Way It Was” and promises a series of articles at Shades of the Departed “relating to the Victorian custom of visiting cards.” This sounds like an intriguing new series; I can hardly wait!

At CanadaGenealogy, or ‘Jane’s Your Aunt’, M. Diane Rogers organized and preserved the treasures on a bookshelf, and discovered a wonderful family letter she transcribes in “Genea-Blogger Treasure Hunt – Report.” I love reading other people’s mail, and this letter from Diane’s “Aunty Grandma” is a true treasure, thank you.

“I’ve Gone about as Far as I Can Go in my Treasure Hunt,” declared Linda Steinstra at From Axer to Ziegler. Oh, to have only that one box! Linda shares great photos of family medals, photographs, and mementos and adds a descriptive note of provenance to each family heirloom. The last bit is something we so often overlook; thanks for the nudge, Linda.

While many people are thinking about their stock investments these days, Julie Tarr at GenBlog is trying to figure out if her old stock certificates might still have some value – from 1914! She did the background checks for “The Stock Search Begins” and is now researching further. Now, wouldn’t it be a treat, Julie, if one of those companies were still in business?

Becky Wiseman at kinexxions teased us with a sturdy cardboard box, unopened since moving day. In “So, What was in that Box?” she cuts the tape and pulls back the flaps to reveal some true retro treasures and then, a treasure beneath a treasure. Sometimes those are the hardest things to find, so sealing the box for another day is the best thing we can do. Good questions, Becky, good thoughts.

Concluding our Treasure Hunt Challenge, after much procrastination and angst The Family Curator finally did reopen The Magic Cupboard. Fearful that the magic was gone, she was much relieved to find that is was in fact still there, and revealed a wonderful travel photo album and accompanying travel journal complete with expenses for the trip. You can read about my surprise at “Treasure Found! A Clue to Military Service in Vacation Photographs.”

Thank you again, treasure hunters for accepting the Challenge. You deserve to proudly fly the Official Treasure Hunters Flag designed by footnoteMaven. Congratulations on your bounty!