Back in time to 1887
I only ever met my maternal grandfather as my dad's father died before I was born. It's probably understandable that it's difficult to feel a connection to dad's father however I feel a great connection to mum's dad gained through the experiences I had with him and then the memories that carried forward.
He was a great man, polite and generous, good with his hands and mind, an excellent musician, hard-working and he had a great sense of humour...a cheeky nature at times...Hmm, that sort of sums me up too I guess, along with other things. I miss my grandfather for many reasons and often wish he was here to speak with; he was a wise man and I know I'd benefit from a chat with him sometimes.
Like he was, I'm a sentimental man. I find value in the past and in knowing where I came from, and from whom. I've traced my ancestry back a long way and feel more complete for it, and I've also gone out of my way to retain items that help bridge time; this watch is one such item.
This was my grandfather's watch and his father's before.
Made in 1887, one hundred and thirty six years ago, it was originally owned by my great grandfather; I'm not sure at what point it was handed to his son, my grandfather, but considering he was born in 1902 I assume years later, maybe in the early 1920's when my great grandfather passed away. Both of them used it daily to tell the time, and I can only wonder at how many times it was taken out of a pocket, flipped open, and looked at then snapped closed and stowed in the pocket once more.
These days when I hold it in my hand and do the very same thing I feel connected across the years to my grandfather and his father and it feels good, sort of like I'm perpetuating their lives, carrying the flame that they, and those that came before them, ignited.
It still works, I made sure of that by having it restored and made operational several years ago. I don't use it daily of course, it sits in a box in one of my safes. I take it out now and then to look at and it's at those times I think about my ancestors, all of the things they did, the places they went, all of which culminate in me. And I miss my grandfather at that time more than ever and wish he was here.
Time only moves forward though, and no matter how much I wish for a time machine one has yet to present itself.
When I think about my ancestors I often wonder if they ever thought-forward and wondered what their future-family members might be like, what they would do and where they would go. I wonder if they'd look upon me now and be happy with who I am.
I do this with @mrbonkers and @smallsteps, my little niece and nephew, all the time. They're great little people and I love them a lot but I'll not live to see their lives play out; that's the nature of time...at some stage it ends for humans. We all die. I think about what their lives will be like though.
I like to think those two little people will someday grow up and think about those who came before them and appreciate the lives they led which, ultimately, led them to their own lives.
With that in mind I have some keepsakes for them, items that their ancestors once owned, valued and used and this pocket watch is one such item.
I believe it's my duty to keep such things, to understand the people who owned and used them and the stories behind them, that I many pass them on to those who will next take up the flame handed to them and carry it forward on behalf of, and just like, those that came before them.
This is the first time I've photographed this pocket watch and I think they came out ok considering I'm not a very good photographer. I had a good time doing the photos...Get it? a good time. Ok, that wasn't a very good joke, sorry. If my niece and nephew ever read this post I hope they forgive me for that one.
When I finished up I polished the watch with a silver cloth and boxed it back up and stowed it in the safe.
I wish I had my grandfather here as I'd like to know more about it, to hear some stories about his early days and about my great grandfather; I know many, but only a fraction of the lives they led and that makes me sad. I think it's interesting that people don't often seem to care about their ancestry until it's too late to ask those who came before them and were there in the past. It's an opportunity lost to discover a little more about people whose lives helped shape our own. I find that sad really.
Thanks for taking a look at this post, and if you actually read it feel free to make some comments below. Maybe you'd like to tell me about a family heirloom or keepsake you have from your own ancestors or something of your own you'd like to hand on. Feel free to comment below.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default; tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind - galenkp
[All original and proudly AI free.]
Every image in this post is my own.
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III was used to capture these images.
The good things about old things is that they still work well after so many years.
Old but gold
Sometimes, but in this case I had to have the watch restored, as I typed in the text of this post.
The craft and design used in the are so good that I find it difficult to believe that some of them were handcrafted
The is a good as new
Yeah, I agree. I suppose that's what happens when one looks after one's stuff.
oldie goldie. a blast from the past!
A valued and cherished memory of my grandfather and one I'll pass on. I believe it is the stories and memories, the connection with those who came before us, that is the true gift we can leave to those who come after us.
A family’s treasure😍 I love things being passed down and treasured through generations, it keeps one feeling connected in a special way asides from genes of course.
You always have a way with words that makes every real-life story endearing and in this case a family history through ‘a treasure’ so interesting to listen to and a longing to have that to share with the ones you love.
Beautiful pictures which feels just right with the words.
Thanks for such a lovely piece as usual💕
I agree, I just basically wrote this as a comment to someone else in this post.
Thank you, this is a nice compliment.
I appreciate your comment greatly; you always bring relevance and value to the comments you leave me which is something I value in turn.
The pleasure is mine🙏
It is so nice to have heirloom like that. It is so cool to learn about ancestry. I have mine traced back a ways on both my mother and fathers side. I know how they migrated and where from to the U.S. What states the familaies migrated across. Different wars and battles family members fought in. Like you I often ponder and sit thinking about what they were like. I try to put myself in that time and place. I have read books about the places they were from, or the battles they fought in and put myself there with them.
Anyway..like you, I wonder if many years from now if someone will one day look at their lineage, see my name a wonder who Joe might have been and start daydreaming.
It's cool to know this stuff I think. I've gone back to 15th century Britain with mine and have even visited significant places in Cornwall and surrounds where my ancestors once lived. I feel more complete knowing. I think you'd probably feel the same.
In respect of your last line...Yeah, I think it's possible man. I mean, what you do now matters, how you live now will determine what and how much is imprinted upon the present and future to be looked back on. We're all just weaving tapestries with threads of life that are, in actual fact, the moments of life. Our thoughts, attitudes and actionsnow will create the future, and someday will be the past. So, leave an indelible mark mate, leave those around you memories of Joe to carry forward.
for sure, that is why I have to start living life again. Even though I have disabilities it doesn't mean I am dead. Many a men have lost limbs and are still driving on. You know what I mean. Just because my body and brain doesn't work like it once did just means I can have more fun. Just think of the excuses I can use when I pull some shenanigans'.
I get it man, and agree with you completely. Things can always be a little worse I suppose; this said without knowing the extent of your issues. Being dead is pretty final so I just figure it's best to make of life what we can, to design and create it in the way we wish it to be, or at least work towards it, and then looking back one can nod and say, yep, I did what I could with what I had at my disposal.
I know many that paid a high price for service, most do. I know of many who have taken their own lives; I've written about a few here. We each make our own choices I guess, and for our own reasons. In my mind, I often think of the reasons to create life as best I can and I work on making them compelling...That way there, I'm more likely to go and make it happen.
Like I said, I don't know your story but I get the impression you're on the right track and yep, I agree..."Just because my body and brain doesn't work like it once did just means I can have more fun." Yep, fuckzactly!
Also, those excuses are gold, the excuses for shenanigism I mean. Yeah bro, I know shenanigism isn't a word but...It is now. (I'm well known for making up my own words, like fuckzactly above. (It means fucken exactly.)
I'm stealing your word. My wife is going to be pissed now because I am going to walk around all day and say fuckzactly ever chance I get.
Wow fantastic priceless time piece and heirloom !LUV it. Have you been able to trace all your family branches right back or is it still a work in progress.
@galenkp, @new.things(1/10) sent you LUV. | tools | discord | community |
HiveWiki | 
NFT | <>< daily
The pocket watch is awesome and something I highly value. I have memories of seeing my grandfather use it, I was very young, and I can still remember the little wooden set of drawers about 40cm wide and 30cm high that he made himself which is where he used to keep the watch. I remember those drawers because I have them and use them myself. Like I said, I'm a little sentimental with some things.
It's a work in progress as there's always new stuff coming to light, new documents and links. I've gone back to the 15th century though, and have visited some key locations in England where my story began. You?
Norfolk, England in the 1700s for me, on the main family name line, most of the other branches around the English midlands and one from Ireland. I got to visit lots of the places years ago but would love to do it again.
https://leofinance.io/threads/@marajah/re-leothreads-x6fks
The rewards earned on this comment will go directly to the people ( marajah ) sharing the post on LeoThreads,LikeTu,dBuzz.
I love people who values gifts. It's Part of your family's inheritance which you have kept down till this day. Hope you gonna pass it on to your children? Furthermore, educate them on the importance and why they should treasure the watch. If your father and grandparents could see, they'll be much more happier. Honestly, they gonna be proud of you.
Well, you'd know what's going to happen with it had you actually read the words in my post.
Also, gonna is not a word in the English language. I believe the words you're looking for are, going to.
Ohh, sorry. Seems like the word gonna irritates you. But, am happy you understood the meaning. Sorry. Thanks for the correction.
It doesn't irritate me, it makes you look like you don't know how to communicate in English.
Ohh really? Too bad. Thanks for the correction.
Today I can only say that the photographs are fantastic.
First of all I love watches, as I am passionate about the subject of time, but on the other hand the photos are incredible.
What more can I say, that watch is beautiful!
Thank you @galenkp!😀
Thank you for taking a look and for your kind comments once again. I'm really happy how these ones turned out as I wanted to represent my grandfather's watch well. I think the images do that reasonably well..
I hope you have a great day, and thank you once again.
Same to you, have a beautiful day!
Thank you always!😊
Ancestral items are the best gifts bestowed on us by nature and I am glad you found yours.
The watch looks bewitching and I could understand maybe not deeply, but I understand some parts of how holding it gives you that feeling of knowing what their (great grandfather and grandfather's) past was like and if they thought about the future. I understand that feeling as I feel it too whenever I see my maternal grandma.
It is loving to see you are getting these family heirlooms for your nieces. They will appreciate it as you do.
I'm not sure if my niece or nephew will get this item, I guess whomever shows more interest inf family history.
Oh, well it will be nice If they do.
How cool. Lucky to have it, and awesome to share it and the memories.
It's cool right? I mean, this thing could easily have ended up in some antique shop somewhere had I not taken the initiative to secure it. Now, it'll pass on down once again and I hope in the future will do some again and again.
Yes, I always wanted one of those. A classic, not an newbie knockoff. What a treasure to have and to pass on. Fantastic!
Hola amigo @galenkp que valor sentimental tiene ese reloj para ti. Y que a través de este allas podido investigar de donde vienes, que bueno que haz podido hacerlo. En cambio yo no. Mi padre es croata, vino a aquí a Venezuela hace más de 60años y siempre he tratado de preguntarle por mis abuelos,bisabuelos etc y no cuenta nada lo que me hace muy triste, pero bueno se un poquito de mis abuelos de parte de mi madre que si los conocí porque eran venezolanos.
Me encantan estas historias y la tuya más. Un placer leerte.
I'm sorry, I don't know how to read Spanish. My apology.
The watch is very beautiful, fantastic piece of craftsmanship. And I ended up here because your picture caught my eye, it's the words that captured me. Nowadays there are too few people who still pay attention to the past. Such a pity. We also seem to learn very little from the past, time may only move forward, I think it is good for many to reflect on the past and learn from it for a better future.
It's a lovely watch indeed, and that it works after 137 years is a testament to its maker.
I love history so it makes sense that my own family's history is also interesting to me. There are many amazing elements to it, interesting people and stories, although I'm reluctant to divulge too much on the blockchain of course.
Reflecting on one's past is a really great way to understand oneself a little better and that can only lead to a better future, as you say.
I was not lucky enough to meet my grandparents, they both died young, my parents and my grandmothers told me about them, but it would have been nice to be able to talk to them and get to know them.
The photos you took are beautiful; I love pocket watches and this one is really beautiful as well as having so much meaning.
I recently gave one to my Father and one to my Father-in-law for Christmas.
Instead, I gave it to myself.
It would have been nice to have one of my grandparents, however they left my father some hunting rifles which he keeps for us, I am not a gun lover but I will always keep that rifle with Love, when I touched it I felt a connection with my grandfather, it would have been nice to go hunting with him even though I've never been a great hunter.
It's a pity you didn't get to meet your grandfathers, however it seems you have some good memories through your dad and having that firearm is a nice keepsake.
I like pocket watches too, although it's not really practical to use one I guess. I think it would have been for me to have been born in earlier times, I feel I might have fitted in better; You know, back when people had manners and were polite to others?
Anyway, that's a nice pocket watch you got for your dad. It makes me think I really should start wearing my grandfathers. (I won't of course, I'd be devastated if it was damaged somehow.)
No, for heaven's sake, you must keep what they have left you, it would be a real pity if it were damaged.
What you see in the photos is worth a few euros, I liked the model and I always carry it with me; the ones I gave away are the best, in fact my Father and Father-in-law use them for special occasions eh eh!
In my opinion You would have adapted well in other times but you look great even in these, good wishes and education never go out of style, they are always green and for all times.
There are those who don't understand and don't know how to appreciate good manners but they are his problems; education is fundamental for me, rude people create discomfort for me.
"Fault" of my parents who taught me good manners heh heh!
However, if I had to go back I think I would choose the 50s.
Hello friend @galenkp what sentimental value has that watch for you. And that through this you have been able to investigate where you come from, good that you have been able to do so. I didn't. My father is Croatian, he came here to Venezuela more than 60 years ago and I have always tried to ask him about my grandparents, great grandparents etc and he doesn't tell me anything which makes me very sad, but well I know a little bit about my grandparents from my mother who I knew them because they were Venezuelans.
I love these stories and yours even more. A pleasure to read you.
It certainly does have a great deal of sentimental value and I look forward to passing it on to the next generation.
It's sad that your dad seems to not want to talk about your grandparents and I think it'll leave a hole in your life should you never find out. I'm sad for you.
Thanks for your comment in English, it's the only language I can read in.
😉
First: Very nice pictures! Congratulations on winning the Photography Lovers HotShot!
Of my 4 grandparents, I only had a relationship with one of them. My mom's mom. Who was a beautiful and very funny little old lady who I miss, like my dad, every day of my life. In fact, I also keep her watch, one that she always wore on her wrist, but above all a pair of earrings, without any monetary value, but that were almost part of her because she never changed them, because these were the ones she liked the most.
Even though I had no relationship with the other 3, one of them passed away and my dad's parents were not very close to my brother and me, I did not feel the lack of grandparents because my granny filled that space all by herself.
About the future... my family is soooo small... and my niece lives in another country with my only brother, far away... I don't know... hopefully someday, life will give us the child we want.
In the meantime, I hope to be able to live in the future, a little through my husband's family and his daughter whom I love as my own. His family is huge and he still has his grandmother who is over 100 years old.
I'm glad to have traveled with you in time and...na the joke wasn't so bad hahahaha, or ...is it that I laugh at bad jokes?🤔😂
Thanks, I enjoyed taking the shots so I'm pleased people have responded well to them.
It's great you had a relationship with your grandmother and have fond memories. I knew both of my own although my mum's mum dies when I was still quite young, around eight. It's so nice that your grandmother filled the gap the others could not.
My niece lives in another country also, Finland and I'm in Australia so a very long way away, but we connect on video chats and that helps to keep our relationship strong. I don't have children, it was not meant to be for me unfortunately, so my niece and nephew are the sole focus of the future as far as I'm concerned. I'll be leaving them a lot and much of it I hope they treasure and pass on as well.
Thanks for your comment and for liking my joke...or at least saying it wasn't too bad. 😊
Wow, looks so beautiful that watch! Nice pics 💗
Indeed, it is. Old, but good.
It is wonderful that you can have objects that belonged to your ancestors, few have that great opportunity. I think it is a way to honor them. Thanks to technology your nieces and nephews will also be able to enjoy the great legacy you will leave them, all your ideas, feelings and thoughts are captured here; when they are older they will be able to reflect on what you meant in your publications. It is a beautiful thing
It's pretty cool right?
I'm glad you read a little feeling in this post as it was certainly present. I'm a sentimental person who respects the past and understands that I am partly the man I am because of it. So, I keep a thing or two, meaningful things, and will pass them on before I die.
The simple fact that you consider yourself sentimental is amazing. Hopefully, you can share a little more with them, that's even more meaningful.
Awesome photos man, the clock mechanism with the focus and zoom look awesome, but without a doubt the contrast with the white background color is wonderful. I have a very old typewriter that I've been wanting to take pictures of, but I don't have any place with a uniform color.
Thank you, I appreciate you comment.
These photos were taken inside a pop-up lightbox I was gifted a little while ago. It was a very cheap one just to try out and it's worked well. Of course, it's on'y good for small things, but with macro shots that's ok.
Try using a sheet as a backdrop, a painted piece of cardboard or some such thing. Improvise.
Thank you very much for that advice man, painting a cardboard black or white seems like a very good idea, if I get to make that post about the typewriter I will tag you to thank you.
Thanks mate, go ahead and tag me if you do the post.
Fantastic and I can resonate with that. I have some coins that my Granny gave to me, now deceased which I cherish. She lived with us for over ten years at the end of her life which was wonderful. I also have china cups belonging to my other Granny. I never met her as she died before I was born, but I love drinking tea from those cups. I found out recently that they were her Mother's, so they are from the late 1800's I suspect. History and where you came from is really important to me.
The photos came out great man and it shined up seriously well. What a cool and special item to be able to pass down, good on ya.
Having these items helps us to feel part of the lives they led I guess, it does for me anyway. Coins are a good one, I've got some of my dad's (deceased) and also his stamp collection which he spent the first third of his life building on. There's some cool stamps in there too. Another thing that will be passed along.
You mention china tea cups. I have some that have bene in my family for well over a hundred years, passed from my nanna (mum's mum) to my own and now me. I suppose quite similar to the ones you have and probably the same era. Sipping tea from them is pretty special, not that it's done a lot, I'm too stressed one will break.
That's it exactly. I never met my paternal Grand Mother or her Mother, so having the China and drinking tea from them on special occasions gives me that special connection with my past, where I came from. If those cups could talk, they'd have some stories I'd say!
Those stamps you have are another great one and an excellent one to pass down to the next generation, though of all the things you mention, I think that pocket watch is the stand out.
Agreed, the pocket watch is pretty awesome and I value it greatly. I'm thinking of doing a macro photo shoot of some stamps soon and will talk about them a little when I do the post. My dad was an avid stamp collector in his younger days and, once again, I've saved them for those that will follow on after me. Talk about sentimentality.
I often think the exact same thing and like to think that the essence of a person or events soaks into the things around them. Wouldn't it be great if someone thought up a device that could extract them and project them onto a screen?
Anyway, that's just my love of sci-fi coming out there.
I hope you're having a great weekend.
P.S. I wrote this coming Tuesday's #TTT post today. Some cool tracks I think, videos too.
I think the watch was passed down to the right person. Not that someone else wouldn't have taken care of it, but, something so special, especially to your grandfather deserves to be loved just as much, if not more that the original owner, or the owner before you.
It is obvious in the way you describe its workings, your grandfather's love for it, and your sentimental attachment to it- the love is real. It is truly touching. I truly mean that.
I was passed down jewelry, my grandmother' (and my great-grandmother's before her) engagement, and wedding rings. I was close to my grandparents, but, was not the oldest nor the youngest grandchild - I was one of 28 grandchildren. I wear it, clean it regularly and bring it to the jeweler once a year for a prong check-up. I can still see it on her hand and the look of joy when she glanced at it. Probably looks the same as mine.
I feel so lucky to have been in such a great relationship with my grandparents and my grandfather's side all lived to be over 100 - all 17 of his brothers and sisters! Yikes. Probably why I am related to half of the Eastern Seabord of the US. :)
I have spent years wandering through graveyards, and church rectories (they used to keep birth certificates there) and knocking on the doors of relatives once or twice removed. Bazinga! Those were always a surprise! Some had pictures of my dad and grandfather that they had never seen. Huge Mennonite families. It has been an interesting journey, Galen.
I have loved every minute of it.
Thanks for the stellar shots, your perspective is very moving in many ways. I can feel the emotion in the post and it shows in other ways. Your photography is professionally executed. You are darned good!
Hey Denise, thanks for taking a look and your nice comments on my photography; I really enjoyed taking these.
I think you get it completely, what I'm trying to say in this post about family, heritage and the importance of the past, I know some don't think it's all that valuable and that's ok, I just feel that's a little superficial as each of us are the product of people that existed well before we were even thought of.
You've got some cool stuff and I think it's great that you wear it. I have almost nothing of my mums as it was all left to my sister. I have a few keepsakes handed to me when she was alive but that's about it. I have some of my dad's paintings though, I treasure them and, of course, they'll be handed down also. I hope my niece and nephew get big houses, they have a lot of stuff coming. @mrbonkers wants my Landcruiser...I told him it might be a bit old by then and he said, that's ok bonkers, it was yours and I think I should have it anyway. Funny huh? (He calls me bonkers.)
I think it's great that you have taken the time to chase down some people like that, I believe it gives a person a little more understanding of themselves. I guess, like I said above, some aren't interested but I think there's value to be had.
I'm glad you read between the lines on this one and added your great comment to those others already here.
You are right on that count, it is not the value of the item, but what you value about it, which is the connection. My great-grandmother gave me a pie plate. It was in a handwritten note that one of her daughters found. It was a pie plate that I baked apple pies in most of my life, every fall. We had an apple orchard and we picked apples and she and I baked pies for Sunday dinner. Seasonally, of course.
It had a chip on it, making the crust have a piece missing, but none of that mattered. It is a worthless piece to most, but, priceless to me. We made love when we baked in it. Now, my daughters and I still use it and we love it too.
I know it is silly, but, I don't care.
You are so lucky to have such thoughtful parents and grandparents that helped you understand the value of love an how to appreciate it. I like your little nephew. He would be a pistol to have around! :)
I think you better keep shining that Landcruiser!
It's not silly, it's actually rather legit. I was going to comment that all I read was apple pie, but I decided to be serious. Oops I actually just typed it. Sorry. Lol.
Seriously though, if we can't value and celebrate these small things, what is life for?
He's a really excellent little kid, as is my niece as well. I wish I could see both of them more often.
I spend a lot of time caring for Big Dog, he doesn't mind getting dirty out in the wilderness, but when that's all done, he's brought back to a gleaming state. It is my way.
That's an amazing watch—and great photos of it too. (And good joke, too 😃 As a father, I think it's required for me to appreciate all dad jokes)
I've been tempted to buy a pocket watch many times because they are beautiful objects and give that connection to history that wrist watches just don't have. If there were any objects passed down in my family, I never got them. At least not yet. My mom is the opposite of sentimental and throws away everything she can, so I'm not expecting anything to come my way when they pass away, unless my dad is holding something out that he's never shown me before. It's unfortunate, but oh well. I have a few objects, like my expensive fountain pens, that I intend to pass down so maybe I'll start the tradition.
It's funny because my mom's brothers are all the opposite. Sentimental and holding onto things forever. One of her brothers went to Europe and tracked our family back to the 1200s, writing several books (for the family) on his findings.
I also think about what's in the future for my kids. I hope I see enough of their life to see them have kids at least before I pass away. It'd be nice to see the family line continue.
Hmm, maybe in lieu of your mom collecting actual items maybe you could speak with her and collect some stories that you can pass down, significant moments that your kids may then carry forward. A lot of the time, it's the stories of people's lives that get forgotten most readily.
Personally I never considered the significance of an material possession passed from one generation to the next. I think most valuable things get lost, stolen or sold. We have one chair from my great grandmother's family that is still in good condition. Besides that most of the wealth is passed down by way of heart to heart.
I was just glad that this article had nothing to do with Molly Ringwald.
I find that quote sad really, but I guess we're all different people. I tend towards being reasonably sentimental in some respects, I'm not a hoarder but I feel that by keeping a few items here and there then passing them along I've honoured the memory (and lives) of those who came before me. It's just my way.
I understand. I'm glad you did keep it, but it's just hard for me to hang on to things. Sometimes I wish I could see my grandmother's rosary again.
Yep, it's that exact thing, the wish I still had so and so's whatever, that compels me to keep some stuff. Maybe someday someone will silently thank me.