A Surprise Discovery
My oldest photograph is one of my most precious genealogical treasures. It is one that I discovered quite by chance while looking for something else in my mother's sideboard. It took me quite by surprise when I found a little parcel, wrapped in soft cloth, tucked away safely in the back of the sideboard drawer. Immediately, I had the sense that this small parcel must have contained something very precious to my mother. I unwrapped it carefully to see that it contained a very old, well-worn and somewhat damaged small box, approximately 8cm x 9cm x 1.5cm. It appeared to be covered in a very fine, deep red leather that was quite scratched and scarred - bearing the hallmarks of its age. On the side I noted two very small gold latches safely securing the contents of the little box. Opening the latches carefully I was surprised to see the darkened image of a man with a rather distinguished, aristocratic face peering at me from a gold frame surrounded with a gold rope-like trim and...