Inside this briefcase I found many fascinating documents such as school records, tax records, and many other interesting items. One of the fascinating items I found was this metal tube. I don't know what kind of metal it's made of. It's somewhat heavy and measures almost 16-1/2" long and almost 2" in diameter. It's a bit dented in a few spots. My mom said it's from Brazil, but I don't know how old it is. I don't know if it belonged to my Grandpa Debs or to his father, Frederick Emory Webster, a.k.a. "The Traveling Dentist."
I wanted to share a photo showing the bottom of this metal tube. Just what is that on the bottom of the tube? Could it be welding material?
You must just imagine my delight as I pulled the top off of this tube and excitedly examined what I found inside. I couldn't believe what I was holding in my hands. What did I find? Well, I'm not going to tell you just yet. I'm excited to share the contents of this old metal tube with you in future posts.
Have you checked with your relatives to see if they have any boxes, briefcases, or anything else in their attics, basements, closets, etc.? You just never know what kind of genealogical gold an unassuming box or briefcase may contain.
Thanks for reading!
Jana
© 2013 Copyright by Jana Last
Can't wait to see what's in the tube! Thanks for sharing. What a great find.
ReplyDeleteHi Cheri,
DeleteAnd I'm very excited to share it's contents too! Thanks so much for reading and for your comments. I really do appreciate it.
OK, I'm a little jealous. :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Anne,
DeleteOh, you're too funny! I look forward to sharing what I found inside that mysterious tube with you and the rest of my readers. So, stay tuned....
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Was it a spy glass? Gosh, I don't know, but am anxiously waiting to find out. I love the table cloth or bedspread design.
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara,
DeleteNo, not a spy glass, but that's a good guess. :)
Thanks for the compliment about the fabric. It's actually leftover fabric from our daughter's wedding. We used it to make small fabric squares to put in the centers of the round tables at the wedding reception. On top of the fabric squares we put flower centerpieces.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
I hope I find a briefcase or two some day! Can't stand the suspense!
ReplyDeleteHi Kathy,
DeleteI hope you find a briefcase too! Or maybe a box or some other container filled with genealogy treasure.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Fine! Go ahead! Make us all wait! :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful find, Jana and I can't wait to see what else you've got.
Thanks for sharing. I just wish I could tell you what it was...
Wendy
Hi Wendy,
DeleteThanks! I'm really thrilled with these finds, and I look forward to sharing them with all of my readers.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Nothing like a little mystery with our genealogy, eh?! Really, Jana, you have so many wonderful treasures! Nothing like that in my family, I'm afraid - definitely a little geneajealousy!! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Celia,
DeleteOh yes! Mysteries are quite fun aren't they? Perhaps you've got some genealogy family treasures hiding in a relative's home just waiting to be found.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Ok the bottom has been soldered which indicate it is made from either brass or copper the side liike like it has a seam which means it was folded from the look and the top looks like it's been welded which indicat's the tube is copper rather than brass as that is hard to weld. The colour of the tube also indicates it's copper.
ReplyDeleteI'd also say the reason the bottom is soldered is because it's been repaired at some time (why a welded top and soldered bottom).
Used for holding valuble documents or maps.
Hi Bill,
DeleteThank you so much for this information about the metal tube. Very interesting indeed!
And thanks for taking the time to read my blog post and for your comments!
Jana, as you know I write about photographing artifacts. I am in suspense of what is in the tube. However, I couldn't help the need to say your photographs are simply wonderful. Great job! I love the backdrop you created. I'm being really picky... sorry, it's how I learn. I think you put two items (lids, boxes, something) with that background together one vertical, one horizontal. Then you used a mirror to make a second vertical side. If I'm correct, yeah! That's pretty ingenious. Anyway... back to the subject. Just wanted to share how much I loved your photography.
ReplyDeleteHi Devon,
DeleteThank you so very much for your compliment about the photographs!
The set-up for this simple photo shoot was just that. Very simple. I didn't use any mirrors or additional lighting. I just used a piece of fabric from our daughter's wedding reception draped on our couch as a backdrop for the subjects of the photograph, the briefcase and metal tube. I guess the lighting in our front room must have been just right yesterday when I took the photos.
Thank you again for your complimentary comments!
Wow... that's amazing. One photo really looks like you used a mirror. Great ingenuity to use the fabric from the wedding reception.
DeleteI love finding stuff like this and can't wait to see what's in the tube. I had a similar discovery a few years ago when I found a little book with a folded up document inside. Although I was scared to open it up, I was thrilled when I found the document belonged to my 2nd great grandmother and was dated 1888!
ReplyDeleteHi Debi,
DeleteIsn't it so fun to find these kinds of genealogical treasures? Wow! A document from 1888! Congratulations on your amazing find. That's awesome! Have you shared this find in your blog? You probably already have and I've just not seen it yet since I'm relatively new to genealogy blogging.
Thanks for reading and for your comments!
I did, Jana, but it's been a few years. Here's the first installment. http://who-knew-it.blogspot.com/2011/04/rebecca-steen.html
DeleteDebi, thanks for the link. I read your blog posts about your own exciting find. Very cool!
DeleteI can't wait to find out what's inside the tube! Very interesting and exciting find.
ReplyDeleteHi Beth,
DeleteOh, this is a very exciting find for sure! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Oooh I can't wait to find out what was in that tube! I must be patient. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Andrea,
DeleteWell, I won't make you be patient for too long. :) I'm planning on sharing it's contents next week. Thanks so much for reading and for your comments!
OK, I'm hooked. Cannot imagine what is in that tube. At first I thought the tube might be a musical instrument, but no. Here's my guess: precious family records. !
ReplyDeleteHi Mariann,
DeleteVery good guess...but we'll have to wait just a little longer to see if you are correct or close. I plan on sharing the contents of this interesting old metal tube next week, so stay tuned....
Thanks for stopping by!
Wow! Love a great mystery, Jana ... Eager to learn what's inside. What a great discovery!
ReplyDeleteHi Laura,
DeleteThanks! Yes, it is a very fun discovery. But I won't keep you in suspense too much longer. Next week I will tell you what's inside the mysterious metal tube.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
As Jana's brother I know the secret and still I'm excited to relive the moment.
ReplyDeleteAw, you're so awesome Brent! I have to say, it is an exciting find. And you know that from personal experience.
DeleteThank you for being one of my most regular readers. I appreciate your love and support, and the comments you send me via email about my blog posts.