I decided this week that it was time to clean out the house and have a garage sale.  This isn't alway an easy task for me as I am extremely sentimental and some things I have trouble parting with even though I no longer have a use for them. 

While sorting through my closet I came across some family heirlooms that I had borrowed from my mom.  Several years ago I became interested in genealogy and have spent countless hours retracing family lines and events. 

When my Grandmother past away, all the family heirlooms where divided and somewhere along the line, I started photographing them. 

My family has been so generous in trusting me with these things. 

I started with my Grandmother's Emogene Petrie Millardage 19 journal, photographing every page and recreating the book so we could all own a copy if we wanted.  I borrowed my Great-Great Grandmother's dress from my Aunt and have photographed my daughter and some of my cousin's daughters wearing it.  I have also reproduced as many old family photographs as I can get my hands on and I have them in galleries on my website so family members have easy access to them.  

So this weeks project was to I photographed Emogene's fan so I could return it to my Dad.  The story is that this fan was used to during the birth of my Grandfather, Ted Millard in 1915 to help cool Emogene down during his birth. 

It just amazes me that a hundred years later, I can hold something in my hand that belonged to my Great-Great Grandma, and is connected to my Grandpa, whom I loved dearly and miss everyday.

“My family tree has many branches, both living and dead... but all equally important. I cherish the memories that make its roots run deep.” -Linda I Fisher

Be sure to check out Stacy Espinoza Photography to see her take on this weeks theme.

You can also view or purchase my Grandmother's Journal by clicking here.