One day a week I scan someone else's stuff. It is part of a larger family history project in which I am involved.
Today I was really looking forward to opening those file drawers and seeing what today's scanning would be. That's when I realized that I had an attachment to the people in the files...as weird as that sounds. Instead of saying "good morning" to fellow employees, I was thinking it about the long deceased people in the files. After a week of being away, I was happy to see them again.
Do not report me for a bad case of crazy. I can handle this.
The actual scanning today was not very exciting. I did finish the records pertaining to one man's World War II service. There were applications, vouchers, correspondence, government paperwork and more government paperwork. Some things never change.
The most interesting thing in that set was a voucher for shoes. It was dated the day the man was honorably discharged. The government gave him a pair of shoes. Does that mean he had to turn in his military shoes?
The other items I scanned today were too personal to generalize here. Let's just say that the problems many people face today when it comes to the care of an elderly parent were also issues in the past. Some things never change.
I did have a brief touch-base meeting regarding the scanning and this entire project. It feels good to meet someone's family history needs and to help keep the memories of so many ancestors alive.
I am doing exactly what I should be doing and that makes me happy.
Hi Amy
ReplyDeleteI've been noticing your postings on your scanning project for awhile now. Have you or if not will you discuss the equipment you are using, your workflow, do you add meta data to the scaned images, how do you organize the images on disk. O yea while your at it the meaning of life and the secret to world peace! :)
Thanks
Joe Flint
Joe, thank you for following along. It's nice to hear that people like to read about what I scanned. Sometimes I'm not sure it's exciting enough to retain an audience.
DeleteI will try to answer these questions in a future post. The problem is that many of the things I do are personal preferences of the client, so I don't want to disclose those in detail.
Let me think on it and I will come up with a way to describe it while respecting confidentiality. I am *confident* I can get it done. :)
This sounds like a very interesting project you are working on, as well as a wonderful service to these families!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jana!
DeleteThanks for the updates on your scanning project. I always look forward to reading about your discoveries and thoughts.
ReplyDeleteCheers, K.
Thank you, Karen. I had no idea people actually look forward to it. The pressure is on now! :)
DeleteThanks so much for this post, Amy. Just goes to show that the ordinary folk from the past are just as important as the ones who are featured in the Who Do You Think You Are? series. I love that series but also love hearing stories such as yours. Great stuff and keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Maria. I'm a firm believer that the "ordinary folks" have the best stories, and all families have them which is why we should all learn about our ancestors.
DeleteI'm enjoying your comments on your scanning and it keeps me enthusiastic about mine.
ReplyDeleteGlad I can help. The act of scanning can get pretty boring. It helps when you learn the stories of the items you're scanning.
DeleteI love your writing and the updates on your scanning project. It must be a very interesting project!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I do enjoy it.
DeleteAmy, I look forward each week to hearing the latest instalment in your serial.
ReplyDeleteIt would be so hard not to develop an affinity with the people in the files you are handling.
Thank you, Jill. I knew you'd understand the attachment.
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