What to do with very old pictures of past family members
By Nancy Zink
@ramapo17 (30441)
Melbourne, Florida
June 7, 2021 2:16pm CST
I have a large picture of my grandmother and I am trying to find a family member to take it. I am getting older and I would love to see the picture go to someone that cares. It is sad as the younger family members didn't know her or were to young to remember her.
My dad was in WWII and brought the picture back home with him when he left there. He was the 11th child left from the large family and so far, no one wants the picture. They are like me and have children and grandchildren that didn't know her so they do not want the picture.
Any ideas of what to do with this picture. I might go to the antique mall and see if they can suggest anything.
I would appreciate any ideas from anyone.
14 people like this
12 responses
@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
16 Jun 21
@Nevena83 Just the other day, I was in touch with one of my very many cousins and her husband was a minister. I don't remember even meeting him in my life, as I said this is a very large family.
Take my grandmothers 11 living children and they all had children and then the kids had children. I don't even know how many years have been past since it all began. They are all from all over the states as well as England and Canada.
I think I am the only one in the family trying to get a correct count of all of us.
1 person likes this
I understand you now.
@Juliaacv (48442)
• Canada
7 Jun 21
If the photos are in good shape you could take a photo of them and save them to a thumb drive.
I have a huge wedding album full of 8 by 10 inch photos of my mother, and none of my family wants them, nor the grands, so after she passes I believe that I will shred them since I have them saved on a drive already.
2 people like this
@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
12 Jun 21
That sounds good but I do not know how to do that. I am still going to research everyone I know and then go from there. I will ask about your suggestions. I am sure my daughter will know. She is coming down from New York state in a few weeks so we should have time. Thank you.
1 person likes this
@much2say (53958)
• Los Angeles, California
7 Jun 21
My husband had to take most all of his mother's photos when she was moved to a senior home. Her place is very small that she could not take them with her. Meanwhile we have crates of albums and photos (some in big frames too). Hubby has scanned and digitized many of them, but oh he still has a long way to go. Even he does not know all who are in these photos - not sure what will happen to all these photos either.
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@LeaPea2417 (36442)
• Toccoa, Georgia
7 Jun 21
Asking the antique stores advice is what I would do.
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@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
12 Jun 21
It is so sad and I have noticed the newer generations do not value things the way we did. I do have a lot of family members to go through and hopefully I will find someone. If I can't find anyone, I might look into info about WWII and see if they have anything to help me. Even if I find someone I do not know, I will feel better and besides that, I could never throw it out.
I also thought of taking it to an antique dealer and see if they know of anyone that would value it.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54411)
• United States
8 Jul 21
we actually scanned all the old pictures and gave them to everyone in the family. that way they were shared!
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@DocAndersen (54411)
• United States
9 Jul 21
@ramapo17 it took us 18 months total. 30,000 or so slides. 50 to 60,000 printed pictures. then another 2000 five years later that we were given.
my sisters and mom love their harddrives full of family pictures and videos!
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130064)
• India
8 Jun 21
I have scores of albums too and each time a family member visits I ask them to take pictures where they have a presence but my event pictures and holiday pictures some I have converted to digital and yes I do not know what to do with them.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (57687)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
7 Jun 21
Not sure what to tell you. Are you trying to sell it, keep it and frame it or what?
1 person likes this
@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
12 Jun 21
I just want to give it away. It is in the original frame from Germany during WWII. I just have to work harder to find more relatives.
@psanasangma (5884)
• India
28 Jun 21
I am speechless, no idea is striking me as they are close to you
1 person likes this
@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
4 Jul 21
I know what you mean about being speechless about this whole thing. I thought when I first had the idea of giving it away that many of the family members would want it. Boy was I wrong.
I guess I better throw away all of my old pictures because I can see no one wanting them.
Only kidding, my daughter will take any pictures and other things from me. I have two grandsons but I think they will only take a few pictures of me that also has them in it when they were very young.
@wolfgirl569 (95188)
• Marion, Ohio
8 Jun 21
I threw away the ones that I did not know who the people were. No one wanted them and I didnt want the clutter.
1 person likes this
@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
12 Jun 21
I am afraid I might end up doing that also. I could be nasty and just send them to some family members and hope they know someone who would want them. I have so many big boxes of pictures to go through. If nothing works, someone will get them when I pass.,,
1 person likes this
@JimBo452020 (42629)
• United Kingdom
7 Jun 21
I have no idea at all but might be inclined to give to a younger member of the family in the hope that they might pass it on in another 50 or 60 years.
It could be passed down for generations.
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