Etsy & eBay
People often search for things like pendant jewelry or collectibles on websites like Etsy and eBay. However, I have learned they are great sites for genealogists, too.
Some will search for old postcards or maps from a given county or state to add social content to a family history story. The hope of finding a postcard from one of your ancestors is rare but does happen. Imagine finding a postcard with a picture of your 2nd great-grandmother containing a message to her sister. Or one with an image of the corner store your great-uncle once owned.
On Etsy, I found an old Prince Albert pocket tobacco tin. It was my grandfather's preferred brand when he rolled his cigarettes. The pocket tin, of course, didn't contain any actual tobacco in it. I bought it to display at the next family reunion. It will be a great conversation starter next to a picture of grandpa smoking one of his hand-rolled cigarettes.
On eBay, many genealogists set up advanced search alerts with an ancestor's name or location. When an item is found, the search alert will trigger an email listing items that meet the criteria in the search. These emails are easier to review than searching through the whole site. The trick is not to make the search alert so restrictive that you don't get anything back or too lax that thousands of results are returned. Wouldn’t it be great to find and purchase a framed photograph of an ancestor in his Civil War uniform for $20? It happens!
Etsy doesn't have the same search alerts as eBay. You could undoubtedly miss out on something if you don't return to the site to do frequent or regular manual searches, but it is best known for its old maps and books.
What other cherished items might someone run across, you ask? How about family bibles, letters, diaries or journals, photos, books, or published genealogies or Church or town histories that mention your ancestors.
Imagine the stories you could write or share with that kind of information. No, it certainly would not be boring. How about attention-grabbing, heartwarming, powerful. Painting a close representation of your ancestor's life and environment makes for a great legacy.
Are you ready to step up your genealogy research? Be sure to include Etsy and eBay. Your genealogy finds will be worth every minute.
Carol