Funeral Memorial Card Collectors

Last week, I received an interesting email from Mary Ellen. Her enthusiasm was apparent. She had stumbled across a couple of funeral cards from the early 20th century from the collection of Mark and Beth Waller that had been placed online. Much to her delight, the funeral cards images, she had discovered were those of her great great-grandparents. That discovery sparked a new interest in trying to locate the Wallers and other funeral card collectors that may have additional familial cards.
Her question posed to me, one that I have also pondered, "Is there some sort of Funeral-Memorial Card Collector's club?" Since, I am a novice — my response to her was rather lame.  My experience, thus far, has been to purchase funeral cards through Ebay.  Many of the sellers are antique dealers. The anonymity of Ebay buyer of cards makes for a difficult trail to follow.  Currently, I am unaware of an official association of card collectors.
If you, as a reader to this post, are a funeral card collector with an interest to collaborate with the genealogy driven, please let me know. Most often, genealogists are pleased with a quality image of a funeral card of their family member. Plus, collectors, you are holding a document that is precious to a family historian. It would be great to learn of a clearinghouse where collectors and genealogists could converge.
Oh, by the way, if you know Mark and Beth Waller — tell them Mary Ellen is hoping to make contact with them.

Follow Friday - Lost Family Treasures by Leslie Ann Ballou

Lost Family Treasures by Leslie Ann Ballou is a delightful genealogy blog.  Each post leads from one treasure to another in Ballou’s unique style.  She transports you back in time as you visit her collection of artifacts and mementos.  It truly is a treasure hunt from Ramona’s Flea Market to Pink Antique Store.  Or maybe a visit to Great Grandma Piggott’s treasure box while on the way to the Smedley’s jewelry box filled with costume jewelry.  The Piggott treasure box is filled with birth announcements, special programs and holiday cards galore.  On the business and educational side of life, Leslie shares items like estate lists, ledgers, wills, school report cards and cabinet photographs.  Interspersed among all the finds are beautiful photos of handmade quilts and hand-woven rugs.  Leslie Ann Ballou is a must visit in the genealogy blog world as she ties everything beautifully together in her creative scrapbook way.

Treasure Chest Thursday - Genevieve Akard's Letters

Every genealogist can recall the catalyst that sparked their interest in genealogy.  For Treasure Chest Thursday, I wish to pay homage to the significant elder in the Akard family that inspired me to learn more about our family history.  In 1972, Genevieve Perry Akard, a military wife of my father’s cousin, was passionately diligent in writing and telephoning all the people with the surname Akard.  Her inquiry letter arrived and for our family it was big event because something other than a bill notice had been placed in our mailbox.  I can still vividly recall, standing on the front porch, as I read her letter aloud to my father and sister.  Since mother had died, Dad designated it my responsibility to respond to her letter.
Throughout the years, I would correspond frequently with Genevieve and always welcomed her insight and family stories.  As Genevieve began to age and it came time for her to move in with her children, she once again thought of me.  Her son, David Akard, brought me a paper bag full of Genevieve’s old genealogy correspondence.  Each letter is a treasure and so many riddles solved before I even knew to form the question.  Although, Genevieve is no longer with us—she is in spirit.  She will always be my genealogy spark. ~

Guest - Marla Hathhorn

Marla Hathhorn has been so gracious to share two funeral cards with the Funeral Cards and Genealogy blog.  She agreed to appear as a guest and has provided wonderful information about her funeral card collection.

"The funeral cards of  William Redmond 1860-1930 and William Redmond 1825-1910  belonged to my grandmother Lavina Redmond Israel, who lived in her own home until her death at the age of 102. The two William Redmonds were her father (see prior post) and grandfather. My grandmother had given the cards to me many years ago as she knew I was very interested in the family history.
Even though I have been researching both my and my husband's family trees for over 25 years, these are the only two funeral cards I have found, so they are very special to me.

William Redmond was born in Ireland in 1825. His parents John & Mary Redmond brought their 5 children to America in May 1847 fleeing the Irish Potato Famine. William married and raised five children, including his son William Andrew Redmond. The elder William's life took him from Ireland to Oklahoma where he died, while his son William lived his entire life in a ten mile area around Wathena, Kansas.

Thank you ~ Marla Hathhorn"