Post Cards

Submitted by HOST GFS Sherry@aol.com

 

One of the most fun genealogical resources/aids is post cards - especially the old ones! While I haven't yet found any direct ancestors' writings in antique shops I have found pictures of their communities including Main Street, court houses, post offices, parks, churches, hospitals and other places they must have either visited or at least seen. It's a very visual and tactile way of getting a little more feel for the time and place of my ancestors, especially those in the early 20th and late 19th century. Sometimes even the notes on the back give a bit of insight into events and thoughts of the day. I have an old postcard from WWI era Fort Custer in Battle Creek, Michigan from a soldier in quarantine who mentions how they tend to get on each other's nerves having to be in such close proximity. Recently I've started collecting old Christmas postcards that I'll set out as part of the decorating scheme next year. These are what my grand and great grandparents must have sent/received. Maybe, if I can get near an antique shop I'll grab up a few old Valentine postcards ... maybe find something romantic on the back! My husband, who also likes to look at my collection, commented "It's almost like voyeurism!"

Sheryl Stout Parker

HostGFSSherry

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